BioTek receives European patent for microplate washer technology

BioTek has announced receipt of European Patent EP 2 093 572 B1, covering the ultrasonic cleaning and maintenance feature used in the company’s microplate washers. Known as Ultrasonic Advantage, this cleaning technology is incorporated into most of BioTek’s microplate washers including the 405 Touch, 405 LS, ELx405 Select Deep Well Microplate Washers and the EL406 Microplate Washer Dispenser; and is currently patent pending in the US.

Ultrasonic Advantage uses integrated ultrasonic cleaning to reduce protein and salt crystal build-up. Ultrasonic sound waves create aggressive agitation and cavitation within the inside and outside of the washer manifold tubes, thus effectively eliminating any attached materials. This build-up is a major contributor to assay failure, and manual cleaning methods are cumbersome. Ultrasonic Advantage may be initiated from the washer’s keypad interface or optional Liquid Handling Control software for unattended washer manifold maintenance.

BioTek microplate instrumentation and software is used to aid in the advancement of life science research, facilitate the drug discovery process, provide rapid and cost-effective industrial analysis, and to enable sensitive and accurate quantification of a wide range of molecules across diverse applications.