Hamilton [MPE]²

The Hamilton [MPE]² — Monitored Multi-Flow Positive Pressure Evaporative Extraction Module — consolidates solid-phase extraction (SPE) steps into a single device. Hamilton states it works as a standalone device (US only) and also integrates onto the deck of their automated liquid handlers.

At a glance

Positive pressure	0–100 psi
Evaporation temperature	RT +5 °C – 60 °C
Reagent dispensing	50 µL – 2 mL
Labware	Many SPE cartridges, plus 24-, 48- and 96-well plates
Plate height	Most filter/collection plate heights up to 114 mm
Revolution control	Initialise, set pressure, set temperature, set duration, read status

Instrument features

• Dual elevator — the two plates adjust independently, within the plate-height range given above
• Restricted flow principle — maintains a steady top-to-bottom flow direction through the plate, rather than letting flow take the path of least resistance
• Active monitoring — the unit monitors both pressure and evaporation temperature for consistency across experiments

Optional modules

The base unit can be extended:

• Reagent Module — dispenses up to seventeen different reagents across one or multiple columns. Hamilton states it can dispense 1 mL across a 96-well plate in under one minute
• Evaporation Module — controls and continuously monitors temperature while removing excess liquid, for steps such as sorbent drying, within the evaporation temperature range given above. Includes a portable needle drying module

Which of these are fitted determines what a method can usefully ask for: setting an evaporation temperature on a base unit without the Evaporation Module has nothing to act on.

Supported methods

• Init — initialise the module before use
• Set pressure — set the working positive pressure
• Set temperature — set the evaporation / sorbent-drying temperature
• Set time — set the duration for the step
• Get status — read the unit’s current state, so a schedule can wait on it

Parameters are set and then the step runs, so a schedule can stage pressure and temperature before the plate arrives.

Integration

Revolution talks to the [MPE]² over a serial connection.

Prerequisites

• The unit must be cabled to the Revolution host and its COM port known before the device is initialised.
• The optional modules your method depends on must be physically fitted — see above.
• Filter and collection plate heights must be within the dual elevator’s stated range.

Device configuration

Property	Purpose
COM port	Serial port the unit is connected on

If you need more of this instrument driven from a schedule, get in touch — the driver is extended on demand.

Operations

These are available from a Run Device Operation step.

Get Status

Get the MPE status

Init

Initialize the MPE device

Raise Error

Makes this device report a failure on demand: the step fails with an error naming the device, and the operator is offered the usual error recovery choices. No command reaches the instrument and nothing moves, and the failure is raised in simulation as well as on a real system, so this is the step to use when rehearsing how a schedule handles a device failure.

Set Pressure

Set the pressure in the MPE device

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
pressure	double	—

Set Temperature

Set the temperature of the MPE device in degrees Celsius

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
temperature	double	25

Set Time

Set the MPE run time

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
time	int	—