Highlights

The fastest plate washer

It takes only 17 seconds for a triple wash of a 96 well microplate. This, combined with the unique one-rail plate transfer design that moves the plate short distance from the stack to the wash position, enables a typical throughput of 150 washed plates per hour, or up to 1050 plates per day (3 x 300 µL, 7 h per day, 1 single washer).

Dispense module with low dead volume

The Dispense Module is an easy to install plug-and-play device that does not require calibration, making it extremely easy to use. With the addition of a Dispense Module, the Zoom Washer becomes an efficient washer-dispenser combination system. The Dispense Module ensures timely and accurate one or two-channel reagent dispensing. Berthold Technologies uses a proprietary syringe based liquid delivery system for reagent dispensing. Direct drive and positive displacement syringes guarantee the highest precision and accuracy of dispensing. The Dispense module feeds one or two 8- or 16-way manifolds (for 96 or 384 well microplates).

A single wash head for all plate types

Each wash channel has its own aspirate tip and dispense tip, which allows simultaneous washing of all 96 wells. The same 96 channel wash head is used for 384 well washing in four quadrants, making it unnecessary to purchase different wash heads for different plate types or applications, and having to replace them. Rapid positioning of the wash head provides 384 well wash speeds comparable to 384 channel washers. Large diameter aspirate tips, 3-dimensional (3D) tip positioning and a constant flow rate vacuum pump ensure a smooth, efficient washing performance.

Individual configuration of the washing protocol

Two wash modes are available: Regular wash mode and Superwash mode (also known as “Overflow mode”). In the regular wash mode, the wash fluid dispensing and evacuation follow each other. In the Superwash mode, the wash fluid dispensing and evacuation are conducted simultaneously creating a continuous wash fluid flow through the well. The Superwash flow rate is adjustable. For additional wash procedure optimization, the Zoom HT supports creating and storing of the 3D tip positioning profile for each plate type and assay. This profile defines the aspirate tip horizontal and vertical positions thereby mapping how the well is aspirated. In addition, the speed with which the tip is immersed into the well is adjustable. The possibility of fine-tuning all parameters of the wash procedure allow to wash even loosely adherent cultured cells. With the Zoom HT, residual wash fluid volumes of less than 1 μL/well (in presence of surfactant in the wash fluid) can be achieved.

A unique self-emptying liquid discharge system

The discarded wash fluids are captured by a self-emptying waste trap, which allows uninterrupted processing of large plate batches. Biohazard waste management is supported by automatic addition of a decontamination solution. The decontaminated waste is continuously drained from the trap.

Easy maintenance

The unique design of the dispense manifold eliminates the need for special cleaning options such as ultrasonic cleaning. The aspirate head is maintenance free. The large aspirate tip diameter, combined with a continuous vacuum, reliably prevents an accumulation of reagent residue and clogging.

Automatic switch of buffer liquids

The Zoom HT is available in different versions with one, two or four wash buffer inlets. This function is advantageous for applications that require sequential cleaning with different buffers or for an automatic cleaning routine after using the system.