CDS Analytical - Empore Disk, Cartridge and 96-well Plate

We manufacture Empore™ discs to provide a large surface area for sorbent/sample contact during SPE. The cation exchange sorbent contains selectivity for cationic analytes, such as primary, secondary and tertiary amines. Fast flow rates along with high throughput may be realized with Empore solid phase extraction disks.

The high density membranes are designed for maximum extraction efficiency with minimal elution volumes for samples that have less matrix interference. Empore™ Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) Disks give you an efficient alternative to liquid/liquid extraction for sample preparation. Our proprietary process is used to entrap adsorbent particles into a matrix of inert PTFE to create a mechanically stable sorbent disk. The disks can be used for purification and concentration of analytes from aqueous samples. Empore SPE disks provide a sample prep solution for large volume aqueous samples. Our unique disk format provides a large surface area for sorbent/sample contact and fast flow rates along with high throughput may be realized with Empore solid phase extraction disks.

Empore™ Disk Technology

Our disks are produced by trapping sorbent particles within an inert matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The resulting particle-loaded membrane yields a denser, more uniform extraction bed than can be achieved with traditional loosely packed SPE particles. The result is improved mass transfer kinetics with consistent performance in solid phase extraction methods. The dense particle packing and uniform distribution within Empore disks offer outstanding sample preparation efficiency and reproducibility of results. Since the diffusion distance between particles is minimized, adsorption is more efficient, and extraction can be accomplished using low sorbent mass. The following performance gains can be realized:​

• Reduced solvent volumes
• Small elution volumes
• Reduced time for eluate evaporation
• Potential elimination of eluate evaporation
• High throughput
• Channeling effects eliminated
• Excellent reproducibility/low CVs

We designed Empore™ Solid Phase Extraction Cartridges for sample pretreatment to remove or minimize sample matrix and other interferences to “clean-up” a sample prior to analysis. Our extraction cartridge incorporates C18 (Octadecyl) standard density sorbent particles with PTFE to create a mechanically stable sorbent disk secured in a syringe barrel.

An Empore extraction disk is secured in place at the bottom of each cartridge with a sealing ring and a proprietary prefilter is placed above the Empore disk. This prefilter aids in preventing particulates and macromolecules from reaching the underlying membrane and improves the flow of biological samples, such as serum and plasma, through the cartridge.

Empore™ Disk Cartridges are an innovative alternative to packed column technology. Each cartridge is molded from a polypropylene resin. The dense particle packing and uniform distribution within Empore disks offer outstanding sample preparation efficiency and reproducibility of results. Since the diffusion distance between particles is minimized, adsorption is more efficient, and extraction can be accomplished using low sorbent mass.

Our Standard density (SD) membranes for all silica based sorbent chemistries allow reliable sample preparation for challenging sample matrices. The standard density membrane has been optimized for improved flow rates for samples processed in most bioanalytical applications. Our high density (HD) membrane formulation is effective for minimal elution volumes. The high density membranes are designed for maximum extraction efficiency with minimal elution volumes of samples that have less matrix interference.

Empore membranes efficiently extract samples with no channeling. The small bed volume allows compound elution from Empore cartridges in as little as 100-200 µL of mobile phase or mobile phase compatible solutions. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) is a procedure where an analyte is isolated and concentrated from a liquid sample. It is also described as a clean-up procedure that prepares the analyte prior to analysis so that the desired sensitivity range of an analytical method can be obtained. Analytes are isolated from complex mixtures by proper selection of a variety of sorbent chemistries (reversed phase, mixed phase, normal phase, and ion exchange). The analyte, or component itself, is the material or chemical element for which the analytical process is focused.

Empore Solid Phase Extraction Products are intended for solid phase extraction during scientific research only. These products are not intended for use in medical devices or in assessment and treatment of clinical patients.

Empore™ Well Plates are designed for SPE sample preparation of bioanalytical samples prior to high through-put LC-MS analytical methods. Available with C8, C18, MPC, Empore 96-well plates offer an efficient way to purify variety of bio-analytical samples and allows for robust analytical method development.

Empore™ Well Plates are designed for solid phase extraction of analytes from 96 samples. Available with C8, C18, MPC (Mixed Phase Cation - with hydrophobic (C8) and strong cation exchange benzene sulfonic acid) and UR (Universal Resin plate offers both polar, hydrophilic, and nonpolar, hydrophobic, functionalities), Empore™ Well Plates offer an efficient way to purify variety of bio-analytical samples and allows for robust analytical method development. This format is also ideal for examining multiple parameters within a single plate and can reduce the time required for method optimization. The small bed mass of sorbent in Empore™ Well Plates allows for the use of smaller solvent volumes than with traditional packed bed SPE products. Good target analyate recoveries, consistent performance, and clean extracts are the major advantages of the plates.

Empore™ Well Plates provide an effective and efficient means of high throughput solid phase extraction (SPE) by allowing technicians to process 96 samples in a standard 8x12 plate format. This productive format is compatible with standard microtiter liquid handling technologies and injection systems. Parallel sample processing allows 96 samples to be extracted in approximately one hour. Each well of the plate contains the Empore particle-loaded membrane for efficient sample extraction followed by elution in as little as 100μL with mobile phase or mobile phase compatible solutions which can be injected directly onto chromatographic systems. Empore™ Well Plates are available in a standard well, 1.2 mL sample volume size.

The plates are available with the following sorbent phases: URP (Universal Resin), C18, C8, MPC (Mixed Phase Cation).  The C8 and C18 bonded silica sorbents combine good retention capacity with high recoveries.  The MPC (Mixed Phase Cation) bonded silica plates contain both hydrophobic (C8) and strong cation exchange (benzene sulfonic acid) functionalities. This combination of functionalities offers the potential to perform selective extractions of amine containing (basic) analytes or the ability to extract acidic and neutral analytes separately from basic analytes. The Universal Resin (UR) sorbent is a terpolymer based on styrenedivinylbenzene and designed to provide good retention of a wide range of analytes. A single reversed phase method can often be used to isolate and concentrate a variety of acidic, basic and neutral compounds which may reduce method development time.