3 Operation
The Otto SPEcialist PPM is an innovative positive-pressure processor, offering maximum
precision and flexibility for processing SPE plates and cartridges. A wide processing-pressure
range gives ultra-fine flow control at the lower end and rapid, effective sorbent bed drying at the
upper end.
You control the device via a user-friendly touchscreen tablet (Microsoft Surface Pro) interface,
running on the Windows 10 or above OS with Otto software.
The Otto SPEcialist owes its superior performance to many fit-for-purpose features, optimized for
the laboratory processing of SPE consumables.
Individual feature elements within the device are described in detail in the following subsections.
3.1 96-port pressure manifold
The pressure manifold is responsible for delivering the system gas flow, at a selected pressure,
to the individual columns or wells in a plate being processed, as a motive force to push protocol
liquids through the columns/wells. This same gas flow may be delivered at very high flow rates
(liters/minute) to affect drying of the sorbent beds within the extraction consumables when such
drying is required (for example, between steps using immiscible solvents).
The manifold incorporates sophisticated flow-restriction technology within each individual port.
This feature prevents loss of pressure on columns with liquid remaining, as liquid from other
columns is fully evacuated. The benefit of this approach is that each sample column/well is
processed with uniform pressure, resulting in the most reproducible results column-to-column
(well-to-well).
An internal electronic flow/pressure controller provides the desired processing gas pressure to
the manifold and is controlled via the system software. This controller can deliver low pressures
for rapidly-flowing columns/wells, as well as higher pressures for flow-resistant columns/wells or
viscous, difficult-to-process samples. You may also select very high pressures when you want to
dry the consumables.
3.2 Manifold elevator mechanism
Warning:
To avoid severe injury, damage to equipment, or both, do not insert fingers,
hands, or other objects under the Otto SPEcialist's manifold during movement.
Notice:
The elevator mechanism in the Otto SPEcialist PPM is capable of exerting
considerable force when pressing the manifold onto the consumables below.
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