Latitude Reagent Dispenser

Latitude Family of Reagent Dispensers

Deerac Fluidics Latitude is specifically designed for all medium to high throughput dispensing applications.

The Latitude reagent dispensers enable high-speed low-volume dispensing of reagents across a wide range of volumes, from 0.05-50µL. Dispensing methods are programmed using the built-in touch screen display. Up to 10 methods can be programmed and stored. Methods control plate type, dispense volumes, dispense patterns, and gradient volumes. Dispense capabilities include gradients by row or column and across the plate, as well as region dispenses. It has a single, robot-friendly, plate position which can handle 96, 384, and 1536 well plates.

The Latitude is based on Deerac Fluidics proprietary spot-on™ low-volume dispensing technology. This technology enables high speed, non-contact dispensing for low volume assays. For example, a 1536-well plate can be filled in less than 15 seconds.

Single or Multiple Reagent Dispensing
The Latitude is available in versions for 1, 2 or 4 reagent dispensing. The single reagent version uses eight (8) channels, while the 2 and 4 reagent versions use 16 channels (8-channels/reagent or 4-channels/reagent, respectively).The four (4) reagent version is useful for high speed, low-volume assays, such as HTS, that require multiple reagents

Easy to Use
The Latitude has a simple to use touch screen display, and does not require a PC. It can be used as either a stand alone reagent dispenser or integrated into a fully automated robotic system.

Integration Friendly
It has an active plate positioner which enables a robotic arm or plate stacker to deliver plates to the deck. Once delivered, the dispensing operation can begin. Remote control of the dispensing operation is accomplished using Deerac’s Automation Control Package to remotely launch the on-board methods or using an external PC with user-programmed serial commands.

Deerac Fluidics supplies an automation control package, A-S Automate, which provides an easy to use interface to control the Latitude or Equator, and a stacker together. In addition several other instruments such as 3rd party liquid handlers, barcode readers and plate readers may also be controlled by the software at the same time to create an integrated workstation. Support is currently provided for many common instruments and additional support may be added as required.

The Latitude can be remotely controlled using direct serial control with an external PC. This approach involves developing and storing methods on the Latitude, using the touch screen interface and built-in software. Once stored, these methods can be individually selected and executed using simple serial control commands.

Features and Benefits

An easy to use and navigate touch screen control interface.
Wide dispense volume range of 50nL to 100µL on demand.
8 and 16 channel dispensing with low dead volume in comparison with other bulk dispense systems.
Non contact dispense of reagents reduces cross contamination and enables improved efficiency and high throughput.
Enables gradient and region dispensing of liquids.
Gradient function and wide dynamic volume range enables serial dilution and other concentration gradients to be performed.
Tip protection mechanism in the case of a plate crash.
Ease to change tips and bottles.