Biotage Extrahera LV-200 Installation and Familiarization Checklist

Significance of Proper Installation and Familiarization

Automated solid-phase extraction platforms like the Biotage Extrahera LV-200 play a critical role in modern analytical laboratories by increasing sample throughput, enhancing reproducibility and minimizing manual errors. Ensuring a correct installation and user familiarization is essential to achieve reliable performance, maintain instrument uptime and adhere to quality standards in pharmaceutical, environmental and food analysis.

Objectives and Overview

The primary aim of the checklist is to guide field service engineers and end users through a structured installation and familiarization process. This includes verifying site readiness, completing hardware and software setup, and conducting functional tests. The document ensures that all critical steps—from unpacking to initial method execution—are performed and documented.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

The installation methodology follows a stepwise approach:

• Shipping inspection and damage assessment.
• Site validation for gas supplies (N₂ and compressed air), power (120–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz) and environmental conditions (18–32 °C, 10–90 % RH).
• Unpacking, mechanical placement and leveling of the 80 kg Extrahera LV-200 in a fume hood or ventilated enclosure.
• Connecting power, computer interface, pneumatic lines, waste and solvent tubing.
• Software configuration, date/time and serial number entry, and verification of firmware versions.
• Functional tests including solvent priming, pump operation, pressure head test, waste valve cycling and pipetting performance across eight channels.

Used Instrumentation:

• Biotage Extrahera LV-200 automated extraction workstation
• External vacuum pump or house vacuum source
• Compressed N₂ and clean air supply
• PC with control software and operating system

Main Results and Discussion

Following installation, all solvent lines were successfully primed with methanol and water, and solvent reservoirs demonstrated uniform fill levels. Pressure head and waste valve tests passed without restrictions. Pipetting performance across eight channels met the accuracy and precision criteria (CV and accuracy pass/fail thresholds). System start-up was error‐free and software versions were up-to-date. These results confirm that the Extrahera LV-200 is ready for routine extraction methods.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The structured installation and familiarization protocol offers multiple advantages:

• Minimizes initial downtime by preventing common setup errors.
• Ensures consistent performance through documented functional testing.
• Facilitates compliance with internal and regulatory quality standards.
• Accelerates method deployment for environmental monitoring, drug development and food safety testing.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advancements in laboratory automation point to integrated remote monitoring, predictive maintenance driven by machine learning and expanded compatibility with diverse sample types. Future versions of the Extrahera platform may incorporate biometric access control, cloud-based data management and AI-guided method optimization, further improving efficiency and traceability in high-throughput laboratories.

Conclusion

A systematic installation and familiarization process is crucial for unlocking the full potential of the Biotage Extrahera LV-200. By following the comprehensive checklist, laboratories can achieve reliable performance, uphold quality standards and expedite analytical workflows.

Reference

Biotage Extrahera LV-200 Installation and Familiarization Checklist, Biotage, 2021.