Peristaltic pumps power immunoassay testing

When specifying pump heads for recent mircroplate instruments, Mikura realised it was critical to achieve accurate fluid transfer from an application that would be easy to clean and maintain.

Mikura, based in West Sussex, designs and manufactures laboratory equipment.

When specifying pump heads for recent mircroplate instrumentation products, the company identified that it was critical to achieve accurate fluid transfer from an application that would be easy to clean and maintain.

Recognising Watson-Marlow Bredel's expertise in this area, the team selected a range of 400 series OEM peristaltic pumps, designed specifically with clinical, diagnostic, scientific and medical applications in mind.

Since launching the company in 1997, Mikura has developed a wide range of microplate instrumentation products for washing and filling applications in the immunoassay-testing field.

Immunoassay testing is a laboratory technique used for scientific research and testing for diseases including HIV and rubella.

The Autura 1000 and 500 automated microplate washing and filling machines from Mikura rely on Watson-Marlow Bredel's peristaltic pumps to perform the primary functions of filling and cleaning test tubes.

The Autura 500, Microplate Filler, uses two eight-channel 400 series peristaltic pump heads mounted on the exterior.

The pumps transfer small amounts of fluid from bottles via silicone tubing, into the top of the filler head where all the tubes are held in the correct array for dispensing into test plate.

The Autura 1000 Microplate Washer washes out any unbound antibodies and reagents using three bespoke designed 400 series pump heads with two channels.

Using specially designed coaxial tubing and Watson-Marlow Bredel's peristaltic pump technology, the wash buffer can be simultaneously dispensed and aspirated through the one washer head.

Low to medium flow fluid metering is an important function of Mikura's microplate instrumentation products.

Andy Cain, Director of Mikura describes how critical accuracy is.

"Immunoassay testing involves extensive amounts of small quantities of fluid transfers of wash buffers, and reagents.

Applying exact amounts of each component is essential to achieve the correct positive or negative readings from test samples".

Easy cleaning and maintenance is another very important factor to consider in medical device technology design.

This was another reason why Mikura looked to Watson-Marlow Bredel for an appropriate pump for the Autura 1000 and 500.

"We required a pump that would meet the specifications of low dosing and easy cleaning, whilst be being very reliable - and Watson-Marlow provided the answer", said Cain.

The microplates, which each contain 96 or 384 test wells filled with different test samples, enter the process with the addition of an antibody.

Left to incubate for 15-60min, the process proceeds by washing out each test well using the Autura 1000, cleaning out any antibodies unattached to blood cells.

Each antibody has a unique molecular shape allowing it to attach itself onto the surface of any antigen present (foreign substance or disease).

Antibodies remaining in the test well indicate that that the blood sample does not have any of the disease present.

Those antibodies connected to blood cells remain in the test well where a reagent is added using the Autura 500 filling unit, it then proceeds through the second phase of incubating and washing.

Finally, another reagent is added, and the blood starts to form a colour - this determines whether or not the sample is positive or negative.

The 400 series pumps from Watson-Marlow Bredel have a modular design which allow a large number of standard versions and the ability to provide a customised solution.

With an established team of engineers, Watson-Marlow Bredel was able to provide an application to fit Mikura's exact requirements.

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