MEPS

MEPS (patent pending) performs the same function as SPE, namely the purification or speciation of samples, but with some significant differences:

  • MEPS works with much smaller samples (as small as 10µL) than full scale SPE
  • MEPS can be easily semi-automated using the custom programming functions of the eVol® hand-held automated analytical syringe
  • MEPS can be fully automated – the sample processing, extraction and injection steps are performed on-line using the same syringe
  • MEPS is applicable to GC and LC
  • Significantly reduces the volume of solvents and sample needed

 

Please click on the links below, to review abstracts of recent publications featuring the use of MEPS for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Title Author Journal
Microextraction by packed sorbent as sample preparation step for atorvastatin and its metabolites in biological samples-Critical evaluation.   Vlčková et al   J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2011 Jan 28.
 
Microextraction by packed sorbent for LC-MS/MS determination of drugs in whole blood samples. Said et al Bioanalysis. 2010;2(2):197-205
 
Microextraction in packed sorbent for analysis of antidepressants in human plasma by liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric detection. Chaves et al J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2010 1;878(23):2123-9.
 
Liquid chromatographic analysis of oxcarbazepine and its metabolites in plasma and saliva after a novel microextraction by packed sorbent procedure. Saracino et al Anal Chim Acta, 2010, 661: 222-228

 

 

Peter Dawes, chairman of SGE Analytical Science, speaks to "The Column" about the benefits & applications of this novel approach.  Read more...

To view an animated presentation on MEPS click here.

Sample Size and Sensitivity:

Sample volumes as small as 10µL can be used or larger samples, 1mL or more, may be concentrated by taking multiple aliquots of 100µL or 250µL.

Re-useable

Typical BIN life is conservatively about 40-100 samples but actual life is dependant on the sample matrix. The small quantity of phase in the MEPS BIN can be easily and effectively washed between samples which removes the possibility of carry-over. This process simply is not practical on conventional SPE devices.

Flexible and easy to use:

MEPS BINs are available in a variety of common SPE phases. The dimensions of the sorbent bed ensure that the sorbent performance remains identical to conventional SPE devices used for extraction of similar samples

Sample preparation for complex biological samples is readily adapted to MEPS and reduces the volume of sample and reagents required for extraction when compared with conventional SPE and other "micro extraction procedures".

The MEPS approach to sample preparation is suitable for reversed phases, normal phases, mixed mode and ion exchange chemistries. Because MEPS BINs can be used for sample volumes as small as 10µL it makes them particularly well suited to on-line use with LC-MS analysis of volume limited samples.

Using MEPS™ with eVol®

The eVol® custom programming function enables MEPS™ (micro SPE) to be semi-automated and proofed before transition to fully automated platforms. Ask SGE for more information on how eVol® MEPS™ can improve your method development.  Click here for MEPS BINs for use with XCHANGE® / eVol® syringes.

 

How to choose your product:

1. Choose your MEPS syringe

The current range of syringes may be used manually or in Agilent, CTC Analytics, HTA 300APlus and Varian 8400 auto-injectors.

 

2. Choose your SPE BIN's

BINs are available in needle styles to suit LC and GC applications. Needles are packed in a sealed blister pack of 5 needles to ensure their integrity.  Click here for MEPS BINs for use with XCHANGE® / eVol® syringes.

 

MEPS Syringes

 

Part no. Description Scale
(mm) 		Barrel OD
(mm) 		Volume
(µL)
005291 100µL Removable needle MEPS syringe for CTC Analytics, HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific & Varian 8400 systems 60 6.7 100
005292 100µL Removable needle MEPS syringe for Agilent 7693A 54.1 6.5 100
006291 250µL Removable needle MEPS syringe for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific & Varian 8400 systems 60 6.7 250
006292 250µL Removable needle MEPS syringe for CTC Analytics systems 60 7.8 250
006293 250µL Removable needle MEPS syringe for Agilent 7693A 54.1 6.5 250

MEPS BINs   

For GC applications: needle is 23 gauge, 0.63mm OD, cone point style

Part no. Description Phase Syringe Pack
Size
2900101 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C18 005291, 006291 5
2900102 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems Silica 005291, 006291 5
2900103 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C8+SCX 005291, 006291 5
2900104 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C2 005291, 006291 5
2900105 MEPS Development kit for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems
(contains 1 each of C18, C8, C2, SILICA and C8+SCX)		 005291, 006291 5
2900106 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C8 005291, 006291 5
2900301 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C18 006292 5
2900302 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes Silica 006292 5
2900303 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C8+SCX 006292 5
2900304 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C2 006292 5
2900305 MEPS Development kit for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes
(contains 1 each of C18, C8, C2, SILICA and C8+SCX)		 006292 5
2900306 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C8 006292 5
2900601 MEPS BIN for Agilent 7693A C18 005292, 006293 5
2900602 MEPS BIN for Agilent 7693A Silica 005292, 006293 5
2900603 MEPS BIN for Agilent 7693A C8+SCX 005292, 006293 5
2900604 MEPS BIN for Agilent 7693A C2 005292, 006293 5
2900605 MEPS Development kit for Agilent 7693A systems
(contains 1 each of C18, C8, C2, SILICA and C8+SCX)		 005292, 006293 5
2900606 MEPS BIN for Agilent 7693A C8 005292, 006293 5

For LC applications: needle is 22gauge, 0.72mm OD, LC point style

Part no. Description Phase Syringe Pack
Size
2900401 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C18 005291, 006291 5
2900402 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems Silica 005291, 006291 5
2900403 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C8+SCX 005291, 006291 5
2900404 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C2 005291, 006291 5
2900405 MEPS Development kit for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems
(contains 1 each of C18, C8, C2, SILICA and C8+SCX)		 005291, 006291 5
2900406 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems C8 005291, 006291 5
2900408 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems SCX 005291, 006291 5
2900409 MEPS BIN for HTA 300APlus, Thermo Scientific, Varian 8400 and 100µL CTC Analytics systems SAX 005291, 006291 5
2900501 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C18 006292 5
2900502 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes Silica 006292 5
2900503 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C8+SCX 006292 5
2900504 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C2 006292 5
2900505 MEPS Development kit for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes
(contains 1 each of C18, C8, C2, SILICA and C8+SCX)		 006292 5
2900506 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes C8 006292 5
2900508 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes SCX 006292 5
2900509 MEPS BIN for CTC Analytics systems using 250µL syringes SAX 006292 5

Base material is silica with mean particle size of 45µm and pore size of 60Å.