BioTek awarded US Patent for automated ultrasonic blockage detection and cleaning in microplate washers

BioTek has been awarded U.S. Patent 8,858,718, covering the use of ultrasonic devices to check for clogged manifold tubes and to clean the manifold tubes of a microplate washer automatically. The two features are known as Verify™ and Ultrasonic Advantage™ and are available in BioTek’s 405 family of microplate washers.

Using Verify technology on the 405 washer, the user can run an automated routine to check for blockages, typically caused by protein or salt build-up in the aspirate and dispense tubes of the 405’s manifold.  Verify uses ultrasonic pulses to determine that the volume dispensed or aspirated per tube meets specified variation limits. Potential blockages are reported visually via the onboard touchscreen display or software or via the LHC™ PC software.  If blockages are noted, the user can proceed to run an automated cleaning routine using the Ultrasonic Advantage trough to immerse and efficiently clean all manifold tubes. The two functions help prevent potential assay failure and equipment downtime commonly caused by blockages in the small diameter tubes of the microplate washer. 

BioTek Instruments, Inc., headquartered in Winooski, VT, USA, is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of microplate instrumentation and software. These technologies are used to aid life science research, facilitate drug discovery, provide rapid and cost-effective analysis, and enable sensitive, accurate quantification of molecules across diverse applications. BioTek espouses a “Think Possible” approach that sets the tone for fresh ideas, unsurpassed customer service and original innovations. The company is frequently honored for local accomplishments and technological innovations, including Best Places to Work in Vermont, Frost & Sullivan North American New Product Innovation Award for Workflow Solutions in Life Sciences, SelectScience’s Drug Discovery Product of the Year – Scientists' Choice Award, and a Silver Edison Award for the Cytation Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader.