Beta-RAM 6

Radio-HPLC flow detector

The IRIS model offers the user a wide range of cell volumes, all available without having to change the flow cell.

IRIS Technology

IRIS technology allows users to optimise sensitivity and resolution by creating a range of cell volumes available dynamically. The IRIS aperture opens and closes to reveal or obscure the flow cell tubing. Closing the IRIS replicates a smaller cell volume delivering sharper peaks and improved resolution. Opening the IRIS will replicate a larger cell with a longer residence time for improved sensitivity.

Integrated Liquid Manifold

The compact and integrated liquid manifold handles the liquid distribution and mixing with scintillation cocktail. The manifold is designed to reduce dead volume to the minimum, ensuring excellent peak shape and resolution.

For users that require a traditional flow cell configuration, the Standard Cell (SC) provides the option of using either liquid mixing or solid scintillator cells.

Replaceable Flow Cells

Flow cells can be changed easily and are available in a range of volumes and types, including fixed volume solid scintillator and liquid mixing cells.

Horizontal or Vertical Operation

The standard cell model can be operated horizontally, as a stand-alone unit, or as part of an HPLC stack. It can also be placed in a space-saving vertical position alongside the HPLC.

The Beta-RAM has a built-in scintillation cocktail pump, accurately controlled by Laura software, plus a low-dead-volume mixing tee to provide the very best conditions for sensitive counting of even low-energy beta emitters such as ³H.

Active Counting Mode allows the system to monitor and adjust run conditions in real-time, dynamically applying the most appropriate settings. This gives on-line detection limits previously only achieved off-line, as well as improved resolution and peak definition.

The Radwaste valve diverts the outflow to a separate waste line when counts of radioactivity are detected. Simply select the count threshold in Laura, and when this is met, the waste flow will switch from cold to hot. This can be collected in a separate container reducing the amount of contaminated waste produced.

A non-return valve is available for users that wish to use the system in tandem with a mass spectrometer.

The stop flow mode allows the user to achieve superb levels of sensitivity previously unavailable with on-line counting methods. By controlling both the Beta-RAM and HPLC system, the user can define a fraction time and counting time therefore eliminating the labour intensive, time consuming process of fraction collecting.

All parameters relative to flow cell type and serial number are seamlessly identified in the Laura software. Cell ID allows for automatic calculation of eluate residence time and other counting units such as CPM and DPM.

The latest liquid chromatography technologies require dead volumes, connections and flow control of the scintillation cocktail to be finely managed. The parameters on the Model 6 are optimised to give superb performance with even the most rigorous LC demands.

With over 30 years of development and used by thousands of researchers worldwide the Beta-RAM, coupled with the industry standard Laura software, continues to lead the way for radiochromatographers.

The Beta-RAM can be easily stacked with HPLC systems; specifically, it has been designed to integrate with LabLogic's Logi-CHROM HPLC stack.

IRIS technology allows users to optimise sensitivity and resolution by creating a range of cell volumes available dynamically. The IRIS aperture opens and closes to reveal or obscure the flow cell tubing. Closing the IRIS replicates a smaller cell volume delivering sharper peaks and improved resolution. Opening the IRIS will replicate a larger cell with a longer residence time for improved sensitivity.

The compact and integrated liquid manifold handles the liquid distribution and mixing with scintillation cocktail. The manifold is designed to reduce dead volume to the minimum, ensuring excellent peak shape and resolution.

Flow cells can be changed easily and are available in a range of volumes and types, including fixed volume solid scintillator and liquid mixing cells.

The standard cell model can be operated horizontally, as a standalone unit, or as part of an HPLC stack. It can also be placed in a space-saving vertical position alongside the HPLC.

Laura is designed to fully support GLP and associated regulatory compliance. This includes support for FDA 21 CFR part 11. Totally configurable to meet all requirements, Laura features audit trail, flexible security settings, multi-level access and e-signatures.

Laura supports the use of electronic signatures and the system can be configured to suit the user sites requirements for electronic data.

Laura has a fully featured audit trail that can again be configured to suit the requirements of the user site. Response from the user can be a simple as choosing from a pre-defined list of standard audit reasons or require a unique response depending on the situation and site rules.

Laura features multi-level access control and the system can be configured to have as many levels of access as the user site requires. Menu items are then restricted according to the security level of the individual logged in.

Laura can be configured to suit your particular site requirements for security. User names and passwords can be controlled relative to the site requirements as can inactivity time outs and all other functions required for a secure system.

Regulatory compliance is an essential feature of Laura, built to meet GLP/GMP, MHRA and FDA 21 CFR part 212 / 11 requirements. Featuring configurable audit trail, electronic signatures, secure data storage in a database environment and multi-level security Laura can be configured to meet regulatory requirements for data integrity.

Seamless direct links with the industry standard Debra LIMS system.

Stop Flow in action: An alternative to fraction collection

Senior Chemist Phil Lamond (inset) is using the Beta-RAM in studies for Environmental Risk Assessments at Fera's Sand Hutton site on the York Biotech Campus.

The Beta-RAM is being used by Fera Science for eFate studies. Located on the York Biotech Campus, it is a joint public-private research organisation for environmental management, conservation, and agriculture that adheres to guidelines defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the testing of chemicals in soil, sediment, and water. Fera performs Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA) for companies introducing new chemicals such as pesticides and biocides. Compounds are radiolabelled with ¹⁴C or ³H and degradation profiles mapped out over predetermined timepoints using chromatography, with studies lasting up to 90 and 220 days.

The Beta-RAM’s innovative Stop Flow measurement protocol increases the residence time of the analytes in the Beta-RAM’s flow cell, taking a snapshot of the sample at regular intervals. This increases the sensitivity of the radioactivity detector and improves the signal-to-noise ratio. LabLogic's HPLC system, the Logi-CHROM, fully supports Stop Flow functionality and is stackable with the Beta-RAM 6.

You can find out what Senior Chemist Phil Lamond had to say about Stop Flow by clicking the button below to find out more.

READ MORE

The experienced user described how when comparing the Beta-RAM 6 to the Perkin Elmer FSA, the Beta-RAM 6 is the clear winner. Read in more detail here.

The German chemistry giant chose the Beta-RAM 5 radio detector to be used at the BASF Agricultural Products Division at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Senior Research Associate, Dr Huns Nejad, explains in more details here.

The university chose the Beta-RAM for the study of phosphoinositides, a family of phospholipids that regulate many cellular processes. Dr David R Jones, an associate scientist in the Institute’s Inositide Laboratory, explains the work in more detail here.