Hidex 600 OX: The only automated oxidiser for LSC sample preparation
19/01/2026
At a glance
> The Hidex 600 OX is a catalytic combustion chamber that ensures complete extraction of radiolabelled material for accurate counting.
> By automating many features, it achieves a high throughput, allowing up to six samples to be combusted in sequence and collected into vials without user input.
> When reaching temperatures of 900 °C (1600 °F), integrated safeguarding features keeps users away from active hot zones to ensure safety.
Combust six samples in sequence
Unlike legacy oxidisers that require manual feeding of samples into a combustion chamber, the Hidex 600 OX can automatically combust up to six samples in sequence. Its pneumatic loading system transfers samples directly into a 900 °C (1600 °F) furnace where combustion takes place in a catalytic combustion chamber rather than an open flame. This ensures complete extraction of radiolabelled material for accurate and reliable counting.
The entire combustion process is controlled by a simple, built-in touch screen User Interface allowing operators to regulate oxygen input flow, burn time, and furnace temperature.
Automatically collect, seal, and aspirate samples into vials
Samples are oxidised in a vented compartment that extracts fumes rather than releasing them into the laboratory environment as older models do. The combusted samples are then automatically collected, sealed, and aspirated into vials for liquid scintillation counting, completely removing the user from manually collecting the vials or handling cocktail.
14C and 3H analysis
For 14C analysis, the sample is converted to 14CO2, which is bubbled through and absorbed directly into the liquid scintillation cocktail without the need for a separate trapping agent. For 3H analysis, the combustion process converts the samples to tritiated water vapour, which is collected into vials.
This allows the samples to be counted on a liquid scintillation counter such as the Hidex 300 SL or 600 SLe.
Safeguarding users against active hot zones
With combustion temperatures reaching 900 °C, the Hidex 600 OX cools the quartz ladles holding the sample boats before releasing the ladle’s safety interlock. This keeps the user away from the active hot zones until they have sufficiently cooled down. A gas leak test is performed prior to each sample combustion. The test uses a mass-flow metre-based measurement and compares oxygen input and output flow at the end of the gas line. This regulated flow also improves the combustion of high carbon content, rapidly burning samples that require extra oxygen.
Find out more
You can learn more about the Hidex 600 OX by clicking the button below to speak to a product specialist directly.