Instech

Automated Blood Sampler - Instech

Code ABS2

Instech's ABS2™ automates the collection of blood samples from laboratory animals including mice, rats and large animals. By eliminating labor-intensive manual withdrawals it can substantially increase the throughput of pharmacokinetics research groups. It can also reduce the stress on animals caused by handling and venipuncture. 

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Features

The sampler withdraws blood from a tethered freely-moving animal according to your programmed schedule, stores the samples in an integrated refrigerated fraction collector, and replaces the withdrawn volumes with IV fluid. You control and monitor sampling schedules, volumes and withdrawal rates for up to twelve animals from a central computer.

Unique advantages of the Instech blood sampling system include:

  • Undiluted samples, verified by in-line sensors
  • A short collection path, to minimize mixing and collection times 
  • Less than 5 µL of blood wasted per sample, to minimize hemodilution 
  • The flexibility to work with a range of species, from mice and rats to large animals

The ABS2, Instech's second-generation autosampler, builds on the proven foundation of a series of precision peristaltic pumps to move blood and IV fluids directly to their destinations. The fraction collector has been redesigned from the ground up for additional features and high reliability. 

The ABS2 not only works with refrigerated vials (such as the Greiner MiniCollect® tubes), but also can deposit 10-25µL microsamples directly onto dried blood spot paper.

Instech has a version of the ABS2 that is optimized for use in PET imaging studies.

 

Specifications

Sample collection options 

Greiner bio-one MiniCollect® tubes, 1.5ml Eppendorf-style centrifuge tubes, Instech dried blood spot (DBS) disks featuring Whatman FTA® DMPK paper

Fraction collector type 

Rotary, 10 position; additional samples can be collected once initial samples are removed

Sample storage temperature 

4-6 C, displayed on control screen in real-time (room temperature in DBS mode)

Maximum number of sampling time points 

20

Sample splitting 

Samples may be split into 1, 2 or 3 dried blood spots (maximum of 60 spots)

Maximum duration of sampling session 

Unlimited

Collection modes 

Low Loss, No Low Loss, DBS Low Loss, DBS No Low Loss, Large Animal, Bile Collection

Auto-retry routine 

Skips to next sample if user settable number of retries fail to pull in blood

KVO feature for catheter patency 

Adjustable from 0-999 μL/hr; 5 μL per pulse

Push-before-pull volume for catheter patency 

Adjustable from 5-50μL

Time to take one sample 

Varies based on catheter and tubing volume and parameter settings (typically 3-5 min)

Sample volume 

Adjustable for each time point

Minimum sample volume

10μL

Maximum sample volume 

1ml (MiniCollect), 1.5ml (Eppendorfs), 25μL (DBS)

Max # of 100μL samples from a rat

33

Max # of 15μL samples from a mouse

18

Sample dilution 

None

Recommended IV fluid 

Normal saline with 5-10 units heparin per ml

Volume of blood withdrawn per sample 

Sample volume plus typically 40-80μL; all but sample volume plus 2-4μL returned to animal; sampled blood volume replaced with IV fluid

Tee blood sensors 

Electrical impedance technology

Computer system requirements 

PC or laptop with Windows 7, >2Gb RAM, USB port

Maximum samplers per computer 

12

Communication method 

USB via RS-232 converter

Communication cable length 

6ft (1.8m) standard; other lengths may be ordered

Power supply 

12VDC, 5A; 100-240 VAC input, 47-63 Hz

Power consumption 

Less than 50W per unit, excluding computer; UPS recommended

Weight 

5 kg (11lbs)

Dimensions 

(WxDxH)  20 x 25 x 13 cm (8 x 10 x 5 in)

Instech provides direct sales, installation, training and technical support in the U.S. and Europe. The Instech ABS is supported by a network of authorized distributors in countries where Instech does not have direct sales support.

Please contact us for additional information or a quotation. 

Publications
  • Gantert, L. et al, Merck & Co., Inc., "Automated Arterial Blood Sampling in Rhesus Monkey PET Imaging Studies," presentation at Infusion Technology Organisation conference, Cologne Germany, 7 September 2015.
  • Kenny J. et al, Merck & Co., Inc., "Utilization of Mouse Automated Blood Sampling (ABS) for Serial Plasma Pharmacokinetic (PK) Studies," poster presentation at AALAS TriBranch Symposium, Atlantic City, 9 June 2015.
  • Galgosi A., Merck & Co., "Automated Blood Sampling in Rats; Practical Considerations," presentation at Harlan DMPK Seminar, Frankfurt Germany, 8 June 2011.
  • Uyeda C., Fide S. et al, Amgen Inc., "Evaluation of Automated Blood Sampling for Low Volume Serial Sampling and Dried Blood Spot Pharmacokinetic Applications in Mouse and Rat," poster P218 at AALAS conference, San Diego CA, 4 October 2011.
  • Uyeda C., Pham R., Fide S., Henne K,. Xu G., Soto M., James C., Wong P, Amgen Inc., "Application of automated dried blood spot sampling and LC–MS/MS for pharmacokinetic studies of AMG 517 in rats," Bioanalysis (2011) 3(20), pages 2349–2356.