Biotage Extrahera LV-200 - Installation and Safety

Importance of the Topic

Automated sample preparation is critical for increasing throughput and reproducibility in analytical chemistry laboratories. Ensuring proper installation and safety of instruments like the Biotage Extrahera LV-200 is vital to prevent exposure to harmful solvents and vapors, maintain system performance, and comply with regulatory standards.

Objectives and Overview of the Document

This manual provides detailed instructions for the safe installation, setup, and operation of the Biotage Extrahera LV-200 system. It covers site preparation, delivered documentation, connections for power, gases, vacuum and ventilation, software licensing, and recommended maintenance and safety precautions.

Used Instrumentation

• Biotage Extrahera LV-200 automated sample preparation system
• Integrated touch screen computer
• Solvent pumps and pipetting module supporting 50 to 1000 µL tips
• Pressure regulator and filter unit for air/nitrogen supply
• Optional vacuum pump and ventilation adapters

Methodology and Instrumentation Setup

• Site Requirements: Well-ventilated fume hood or exhaust system capable of 6 m³/min; stable bench rated for 80 kg; electrical grounding; ambient temperature 18–32 °C; humidity 10–90 % RH; pollution degree 2.
• Documentation: Installation and safety manual (P/N 417408), user manual (P/N 417251), GLP manual (P/N 417250), safety translations (P/N 417409) and software license agreement.
• Installation Steps: Authorized engineer unpacking; mounting lifting handles; leveling using built-in spirit level; connecting solvent inlet lines, waste tubing, power, network, air and nitrogen supply, and optional vacuum; system purging and leak checks.
• Software Configuration: Acceptance of license terms; optional software upgrades; Ethernet LAN connection for GLP mode.
• Safety Features: Door interlock and ventilation fan monitoring prevent operation with door open or fan failure; double-pole fusing and grounded power supply protect against electrical faults.

Main Features and Discussion

• Five solvent inlets feeding five 25 mL reservoirs and optional second rack supporting 25–100 mL volumes.
• Pipetting pumps delivering 5–800 µL with defined accuracy and precision for 50 µL, 200 µL and 1000 µL tips.
• Processing pressure range 0–5 bar; integrated clog detection for SPE, SLE and filtration workflows in GLP mode.
• Technical specifications: 100–240 VAC, 300 VA power consumption; gas supply to ISO 8573-1 class 1-6-1; vacuum < 50 kPa and ≥ 8.3 L/min flow.
• Maintenance: Regular cleaning of tubing, filter replacement, leak inspection and adherence to RoHS and WEEE disposal regulations.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Automated workflows on the Extrahera LV-200 improve reproducibility, reduce manual handling errors, and increase laboratory throughput. Versatile solvent handling and precise pipetting enable solid phase extraction, liquid–liquid extraction, and filtration workflows in pharmaceutical, environmental, food testing and QA/QC laboratories. Built-in safety interlocks and GLP compliance enhance data integrity and regulatory traceability.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Integration with laboratory information management systems for seamless process tracking.
• Expanded clog detection and advanced error recovery to minimize downtime.
• Modular attachments for emerging extraction chemistries and higher throughput plate formats.
• Remote monitoring and predictive maintenance through IoT connectivity and data analytics.

Conclusion

Adhering to the manufacturer’s installation and safety guidelines is essential to fully leverage the capabilities of the Biotage Extrahera LV-200 system. Proper setup ensures user protection, instrument longevity, and reliable analytical results across diverse laboratory applications.

Reference

• Biotage Extrahera LV-200 Installation and Safety, P/N 417408, Biotage, 2021
• Biotage Extrahera LV-200 User Manual, P/N 417251, Biotage, 2021
• Biotage Extrahera GLP User Manual, P/N 417250, Biotage, 2021