PICKERING LABORATORIES REACHES “PINNACLE” IN ANALYTE DETECTION
NEW PINNACLE PCX POST-COLUMN DERIVATIZATION INSTRUMENT ADVANCES HPLC INDUSTRY
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – February 25, 2004 – Pickering Laboratories, the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and supply of post-column derivatization instruments and consumables, today announced the launch of advanced instrumentation that aims to deliver more sensitivity, with significant cost savings over the previous generation of post-column tools.
Pulse-Free Pump
The Pinnacle PCX, with a syringe pump, is poised to raise standards throughout the HPLC industry for sensitivity in analyzing difficult-to-detect compounds, such as mycotoxins in food, amino acids in serum and pesticides in crops.
The Pinnacle PCX builds on the success of the Pickering PCX5200 post-column derivitazation system. It will be unveiled March 8 at Pittcon 2004 in Chicago.
Design Achieves Greater Efficiency and Productivity
The same advancements designed to improve detection of target compounds also extend equipment lifecycle and reduce costs of consumables. The rugged design takes into account the considerable demands placed on equipment in today’s laboratories, which often run 24 hours a day. The Pinnacle PCX syringe pump, unlike reciprocating pumps, operates only during the run cycle. This extends the lifecycle of both pump and piston seal, and cuts down on the consumption of costly reagents.
The system can easily be configured to very specifically detect a staggering array of chemical functionalities. Considering the matrix insensitivity of post-analysis derivatization, methods that suffice for QC generally are sufficient for residue analysis as well.
The column oven with a programmable temperature gradient adds a new dimension for separation and shortens the run time. Rapid cooling preserves the saved time.
Pump features include a single-piece ceramic cylinder, a completely non-metallic flow path, automatic piston wash, automatic reagent flush cycle and a refill cycle of 60 seconds. The fast-response reactor contains easy to replace coil cartridges. A thermal safety switch limits temperature to 150 degrees to prevent equipment damage.
The Pinnacle PCX software runs on a PC Windows-based platform. The system interfaces with existing HPLC software and allows operators to create, edit and store unlimited post-column methodologies through its Methods Editor. It displays real-time pressure and temperatures of column and reactor and provides the ability to pause the pump during operation.
The Pinnacle PCX offers unprecedented stability, enabling HPLC analysis of difficult-to-trace residues very specifically and reproducibly.
Pricing and Availability
The Pickering Pinnacle PCX is expected to be available in Q3 2004.
About Pickering Laboratories
Founded in 1980, Pickering Laboratories designs, manufactures and services chromatography instruments and consumables, producing superior columns, post-column detection methods, customer applications and service support for the environmental, pharmaceutical and biochemical laboratory markets.
Pickering Laboratories is the only company in the HPLC industry focused entirely on post-column systems, chemistries, methods and software for the analytical market. Pickering equipment and methodologies set standards in regulatory compliance, and have been cited in regulations for testing drinking water by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The company sells directly in the United States and through 87 international distributors on six continents. Headquarters are in Mountain View, California.
Laboratories are invited to contact Pickering for post-column systems and consumables needs analysis. Phone 800-654-3330 or 650-694-6700. Fax 650-968-0749. E-mail: sales@pickeringlabs.com. Website: www.pickeringlabs.com.
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Pickering Laboratories at Pittcon 2004
The new Pinnacle PCX Post-Column Derivatization System will be introduced at Pittcon 2004, March 8-11 in Chicago, at Pickering Laboratories booth No. 2786.
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