Waters Corporation has introduced the OttoTM SPEcialist Positive Pressure Manifold designed to improve the reliability and reproducibility of solid-phase extraction (SPE). Equipped with easy-to-use, 21 CFR Part 11 compliant software and programmable pressure profiles, the Otto SPEcialist system provides confidence in SPE results by eliminating common workflow errors, reducing user variability, and documenting each method step to remove uncertainty and prevent duplicative efforts.

“Reproducible sample preparation is an essential component of successful analytical methods” said Erin Chambers, Vice President, Chemistry, Waters Corporation. “However, even straightforward workflows like solid-phase extraction may suffer from poor reproducibility due to technique-associated variation.”

Otto SPEcialist system enables the creation, editing, running, and sharing of pressure profiles and methods with little-to-no training. By utilising positive pressure applied to the top of the device to control flow rather than vacuum processing applied to the bottom, Otto SPEcialist system offers more precise control for easier and more reliable sample processing. The system provides a wide pressure control range, accommodating a number of SPE device sizes and sorbent masses. 

As compared to fully-automated SPE systems that are often complicated and costly to set up and run, the semi-automated Otto SPEcialist system – with easy-to-use software and a clean, simple interface – can be quickly deployed without significant capital investment. Users can create pressure profiles for every step of an SPE workflow – including load, wash and elution steps – at the push of a button.