TurboFlow Systems
TLX Systems Enable Online Extraction
Unlike traditional HPLC technology, which is limited by its parabolic flow profile, the Thermo Scientific patented TurboFlow technology promotes turbulence in a packed column bed. TurboFlow technology forces streams of fluid through the column so that the mobile phase is moving so rapidly that it creates vacillating eddies. This turbulent flow motion supports a more uniform velocity profile across the diameter of the column. In this way, turbulent flow chromatography controls effective diffusion of the solutes, allowing molecules to move quickly into and out of the pores and packing particles.
By using a combination of proprietary packings and technology, extremely high flow separations with no high back pressure issues can be achieved. Since turbulent flow chromatography is not limited by diffusion, the results are faster, sharper chromatographic peaks, superior to those offered by conventional chromatography.
Speed and Versatility Without Compromise
TLX Series Systems harness the power of our patented TurboFlow technology, a major technological breakthrough that permits direct injection of biological fluids. The result is reliable sample analysis in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. The unique features of the TLX Systems deliver the combined power of turbulent flow chromatography to eliminate solid phase extraction (SPE), liquid/liquid extraction (LLE) and protein precipitation (PPT), as well as provide the ability to run existing high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods all on one system, making it the most powerful and versatile system in the industry. With TLX Systems, you can save time by dramatically increasing productivity, enhancing efficiency, and boosting throughput without compromising data quality or sensitivity.
Rely on TLX Series Systems to:
- Combine TurboFlow and HPLC methods on one system
- Eliminate SPE/LLE/PPT
- Directly inject biological fluids
- Minimize ion suppression
- Quadruple MS throughput
Boost Flexibility by Using TurboFlow and HPLC Methods on One System
The TLX System can help you achieve greater flexibility in your lab by running both TurboFlow methods and your existing liquid chromatography (LC) methods on a single system. Multiplexing your TLX System dramatically increases throughput by permitting more users and methods per MS - without any interruption to your current workflow. The result is greater sample throughput and lower costs with fewer MS purchases.
Comparison of Sample Preparation Techniques
A TurboFlow Method Significantly Reduces Sample Handling Steps
| Liquid/liquid | PPT | SPE | TurboFlow®method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aliquot of sample | Aliquot of sample | Aliquot of sample | Aliquot of sample |
| Spike with IS | Spike with IS | Spike with IS | Spike with IS |
| Add buffer | Add acetonitrile | Add 0.1N HCL | |
| Condition sorbent | |||
| Add sample to sorbent | |||
| Add MTBE | |||
| Shake 10 min | Wash | ||
| Centrifuge | Centrifuge | Centrifuge | |
| Remove organic | Remove supernatant | ||
| Evaporate to dryness | Evaporate | ||
| Reconstitute | Reconstitute | Reconstitute | |
| Transfer to plate | Transfer to plate | Transfer to plate | |
| Inject onto column | Inject onto column | Inject onto column | Inject onto column |
The TLX system allows you to remove most of the time-consuming steps in the sample preparation process, which speeds sample throughput while minimizing errors and variability.
Save Time by Eliminating Sample Preparation
TurboFlow technology, exclusively from Thermo Fisher Scientific, can save you time by eliminating the need for lengthy sample preparation steps, such as SPE, LLE, or PPT. Simply centrifuge your sample and then directly inject plasma, urine or other biological matrices onto the system. The unique features of the TurboFlow columns allow the compounds of interest to be retained on the column while the plasma matrix quickly and completely elutes through.
SPE, PPT, and TurboFlow Technology Comparison
The TurboFlow Method Showed Reduced Ion Suppression
Figure 1. TLX systems and its TurboFlow columns offer superior sample extraction when compared to both PPT and SPE because of their dual properties - the combination of molecular weight separation and the chemistry selectivity of the patented TurboFlow columns.
Reduce Ion Suppression for Cleaner Sample Extracts
The TLX system is superior to PPT and SPE for reducing ion suppression. As a result, it is the preferred method for cleaning biological fluids. As shown in Figure 1A, there is no distinguishable difference between the blank injection and the plasma injection using the TLX system. When PPT is used to crash out proteins from plasma, there are still many components remaining in solution. This can cause ion suppression during analysis, resulting in a decrease in signal strength relative to the blank in example 1B shown in Figure 1. Some SPE methods can efficiently remove matrix interferences, but all too often those methods vary from compound to compound and will not remove all of the interferences, also resulting in ion suppression (1C).
Increase Uptime and Reduce Cost Per Analysis
Because plasma sample cleanup is performed under turbulent flow conditions, the sample is cleaner than with many standard prep techniques, resulting in more uptime for your MS. Automated, direct injection of biofluid samples combined with fast turbulent flow chromatography delivers a nearly three-fold cost savings (labor and materials) over SPE and LC-MS/MS. Justify the expense by demonstrating how a new, state-of-the-art MS can be multiplexed for greater throughput, as well as how its use can reduce labor and consumable expenses while saving precious laboratory space. We routinely provide customized return on investments to clearly demonstrate the significant overall impact on laboratory savings.
TLX Flexible System Design
The TLX Systems are configured with patented TurboFlow columns, a CTC autosampler, loading and eluting pumps, valve interface module, Aria control software, and electronics and computer components. The systems are available to meet your precise needs, and can be easily upgraded for increased levels of productivity. TLX systems interface with all of the leading MS and provide online operation of a wide range of pump selections.
Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a variety of TLX systems, allowing you to choose the system that best suits your lab's specific needs.
| TLX-1 System | TLX-2 System | TLX-4 System |
|---|---|---|
| Single-channel system | Two-channel system | Four-channel system |
| Can run TurboFlow or LC methods | Can run TurboFlow and LC methods simultaneously in any combination of the two | Can run TurboFlow and LC methods simultaneously in any combination of the four |
| Excellent throughput | Two times the throughput of TLX-1 | Four times the throughput of TLX-1 |
Simple Online Operation with Aria Software
Automated online operation is made possible with Aria™ system software, which is specifically designed for optimal pump, valve, and autosampler operation to allow both TurboFlow and HPLC methods to be run on a single system, injection to injection. The Aria system software controls the dual pumping operation, valve switching, cleaning, and gradient procedures to optimize system productivity and performance.
In addition, the acquisition system interface is carefully controlled to optimize performance. Aria software manages all aspects of the multiplexing process once the samples are loaded and will allow a single sample or as many as four different sample sets to run simultaneously - each with a unique method. The Windows-based software commands are easy to understand and program so that procedures can be made quickly and easily. One screen is all you need to access the method conditions. Aria software interfaces with all of the leading MS/MS software.
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