Capillarys

The New Generation of Capillary Electrophoresis System

This innovative system optimizes the concept of liquid flow electrophoresis for application in the clinical diagnostic laboratory. Eight very narrow capillary tubes filled with electrolyte solution function concurrently providing unsurpassed throughput of up to 80 serum protein results per hour. Proteins are detected directly at a wavelength of 200nm eliminating the need for staining while providing a high degree of precision and accuracy.

Complete walk-away automation is provided from start to finish. Designed for continuous feed of samples, the operator simply places a bar coded primary sample tube on the instrument. The CAPILLARYS does the rest. Tight temperature control during sample migrations provides consistent reproducibility from analysis-to-analysis and from capillary-to-capillary.

A sophisticated database system allows storage of up to 100,000 result curves and data. Additionally, an imaging scanner can also be connected to the CAPILLARYS for scanning and processing of all other Sebia assays eliminating the need for any additional densitometer or imaging device.

Other features of the CAPILLARYS include:

Minicap

The MINICAP, with a small instrument footprint, is designed to optimize and completely automate electrophoresis testing in low to medium testing volume laboratories. The MINICAP instrument represents the latest evolution in Sebia’s innovative line of capillary electrophoresis technology.  Both the MINICAP and the CAPILLARYS 2 instruments provide complete walk-away automation, requiring significantly less technologist involvement. Simply place a bar-coded primary sample tube on the system and walk away. Positive sample identification is achieved with full traceability and decreased potential for errors.

The MINICAP utilizes liquid flow electrophoresis with buffer serving as the medium, as opposed to agarose gel. Two capillaries are utilized for testing in order to obtain a throughput of up to 20 serum protein samples per hour. With a continuous access sample wheel, STAT protein electrophoresis results can be obtained in less than 10 minutes. Direct protein detection is achieved by a measurement at 200 nm, eliminating the need for staining while improving accuracy and linearity.

Sebia's capillary electrophoresis instrument provides complete walk-away automation from bar-coded primary sample tube to final result. Moderate complexity of the capillary electrophoresis instrument means simpler operation and reduced labor requirements.

Current MINIICAP Test Menu includes the MINICAP Protein 6 assay. The Protein 6 assay is utilized for the electrophoretic separation of human serum proteins into six major fractions – albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, and gamma. Protein electrophoresis is a well established technique routinely used in clinical laboratories for screening patients for protein abnormalities.

Other features of the MINICAP include:

• Superior database system allowing storage of up to 100,000 capillary electrophoresis result curves and data.
• Automatic delimiting of capillary electrophoresis curves and identification of fractions which minimizes operator editing.
• Ability to import quantitative protein results allowing for one comprehensive chartable report.
• Capability to import comments — unlimited comment entry
• Comprehensive QC program including Levey-Jennings charts.
• Capability for within lab networking through a modem connection.

Hydrasys

The HYDRASYS is the first automated gel electrophoresis instrument. The HYDRASYS performs sample application, migration and staining all in one! It's large menu features Proteins, IF's, Bence Jones, Hemoglobin, Isoenzymes and much more. Gels are available in different size configurations to meet your test volume.

Phoresis Imaging System

Sebia’s state-of-the art digital imaging system is designed for the automatic scanning and storage of Sebia gel electrophoresis results. The Phoresis system may scan upto 6 gels simultaneously, resulting in the ability to process 324 samples in 4 minutes! The easy to use software guides the operator through a few easy steps: place the gel(s) on the high definition flat bed scanner, select the gel type(s), hit the scan icon and watch! The Phoresis system offers the following features:

• vast menu of gel types which may be scanned including Protein, Hemoglobin, Immunofixation and iso –enzymes
• extensive and easy curve editing functions including overlay of past patient curves to a current curve
• curve mosaic allowing for the rapid review of up to 30 curves
• the gel images and curves are displayed to facilitate interpretation and editing
• patient report may be customized to suit individual laboratory requirements
• complete QC package including Levy Jennings charts
• database capabilities allow the storage and easy recall of 10000 electrophoresis curves and 4000 immunofixation images
• option to add a bar code reader to the system
• bi-directional interface capability

VivaScience

Urine Protein Electrophoresis-Factors to Consider when Choosing a Concentrator

If you choose to concentrate urines for detection of Bence Jones Proteins on Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPE) or Urine Immunofixation (UIF) there are some aspects of a concentrator that you may want to consider to optimize recovery of these proteins. The concentrator you choose becomes as important as the assay that is being used to detect the proteins.

Molecular Weight Cut Off

The Molecular Weight Cut Off (MWCO) is an important consideration for a concentrator. The Molecular Weight of Bence Jones proteins is typically around 20,000 – 24,000 Kilodaltons (kDa). Therefore, when choosing a concentrator, it is important to consider the MWCO of the membrane that is used in the concentrator. The MWCO quoted on any concentrator will have up to a 20% variation in the pores of the membrane. What does this mean? If you have a protein that you are trying to capture, you want to ensure that the pore size of the membrane is small enough that you are not losing valuable protein that you are indeed, trying to ultimately detect and measure. An optimum pore size for the capture of a Bence Jones protein will be around the 7,500 – 10,000 kDa mark (depending on type used) to ensure there is no loss of protein. If the concentrator has a pore size of 15,000 kDa, then the actual size of the pores within the membrane will vary between 12,000 to 18,000 kDa and this may be suspect.

Membrane Type

The type of membrane used in the manufacture of concentrators should be highly hydrophilic, when attempting to isolate proteins that are below 50,000 kDa molecular weight. This minimizes protein loss and ensures good recovery.

Static versus Centrifugal

The pore size is an important consideration in a static concentrator but is even more important in consideration of a centrifugal concentrator. For example, the same pore size of 7,500 MWCO will have a remarkably different recovery in a static concentrator than in a centrifugal concentrator due to the force involved. The ideal pore size for the recovery of a Bence Jones protein in a centrifugal concentrator should be around 10,000 kDa.

Lastly, you may want to consider the ease of use of the product Does the product enable you to use a plastic transfer pipet for added safety? Does the product have easy to read graduations for ease of reading?

Somagen now offers the Vivaproducts range of static and centrifugal concentrators for concentrating urines. The Vivaproducts address all of these concerns and have been manufactured for the precise application of recovery of Bence Jones Proteins. Call us for more details.