Automated preparation of whole blood samples, FHNW School of Life Sciences

Automated sample preparation reduces cost per sample and minimizes sample handling errors. The use of robots is well established for therapeutic drug monitoring or diagnostics based on blood samples. Usually expensive and highly specialized pipetting robots are used. However, most of these systems are not designed with a direct interface for LC-MS applications and common pipetting systems are not optimized for smaller scale sample series.

Here we present a new tool for liquid handling of whole blood samples and direct sample injection. The tool features an optical sensor that monitors all liquid handling steps. It detects presence or absence of sample, standards and reagents. The sensor is essential to ensure process safety for automated liquid handling steps.