Overview
The SPRINT® Protein Analyzer is automated and determines
the amount of protein in a sample in approximately 2 minutes.
This rapid technique is easy to use and utilizes a proprietary
iTAG solution, which attaches to protein molecules, to mea-
sure the concentration of protein in a sample.
Unlike other conventional methods, Sprint does not require
the use of harmful chemicals, such as sulfuric acid, sodium
hydroxide, potassium sulfate, mercury oxide or copper sul-
fate. Following the protein test, there is no hazardous waste
for disposal. The sample and non-toxic iTAG® Solution 1 are
continued within the sample cup for easy disposal.
The iTAG® solution is completely non-toxic and is not con-
sidered a hazardous material. No special waste disposal is
required, and there are no known health hazards associated
with the solution. The cleaning solution (Solution 3) is used
after analysis to prepare the system for subsequent tests.
This solution is also non-toxic, not hazardous and requires no
special handling for disposal.
The following is a description of each component and subsys-
tem in the Sprint system as it is used in a typical analysis.
The system uses three input solutions: iTAG® Solution 1, So-
lution 2 to be mixed with deionized water, and Solution 3 to be
mixed with water for cleaning. These solutions are contained
in three bottles that are positioned in a bottle stirrer beside the
system. The iTAG® Solution 1 bottle is positioned in the back
position; Solution 2 is in the middle position, and Solution 3 is
in the front position. The positioning of these bottles is critical.
The bottle stirrer contains an electromagnetic stirrer for posi-
tion 1 to stir the iTAG® solution.The position for each bottle
connector is labeled on the rear of the instrument and on the
side of the bottle stirrer.
CAUTION
Control for the bottle stirrer is through a cable
that connects directly to the Sprint system.
This connector should be connected or
disconnected only with the Sprint power
switch in the “off” position. If the bottle stir-
rer cable is connected with the system on,
damage to the I/O board can occur.
A water connection is required for system operation. The
minimum fl ow rate is 30 mL/sec at 1.5 Bar (22 psi). A pres-
sure regulator and water fi lter is mounted to the back of the
instrument. A water line is provided with a ¼” Swagelok fi tting
on a ¼” (outer diameter) tube. The water supply can either
be plumbed to a pressurized water supply or connected to the
external water option available from CEM.
The external water option consists of a carboy, pump and
connections for control and power. External waste is routed
to the back of the Sprint system. A 3/8” fl exible tube is provide
to connect to a waste drain or waste carboy. All Sprint waste
solutions are non-toxic and non-hazardous.
The anti-static ionizer emits a stream of alternating positive
and negative ions which effectively eliminate static charge on
the sample cups prior to placing them in the external balance.
The result is more accurate sample weights, therefore, more
accurage sample results.
SPRINT® Operation
1. A sample cup is waved in front of the anti-static ionizer to
eliminate static charge, then placed on the external bal-
ance. “TARE” is pressed.
2. A sample is placed in the cup on the balance and
weighed.
3. The cup containing the sample is removed from the bal-
ance and placed in the turntable.
4. A fi lter is placed in the turntable.
5. Sprint dispenses a known amount of iTAG® solution in
the sample cup.
6. The sample and iTAG® solution are homogenized, re-
leasing all proteins to bind with the iTAG® and forming an
insoluble complex that drops to the bottom of the cup.
7. The fi lter is lifted from the fi lter holder.
8. The homogenizer is cleaned with warmed jets of mild
detergent.
9. A portion of the remaining iTAG® solution is drawn
through the fi lter into the detector to determine the
amount of iTAG® that was bound to the protein.
10. Sprint calculates the % protein present in the sample.
11. The fi lter is released by the detector inlet and placed in
the sample cup.
12. The cup containing the sample, fi lter and iTAG® solution
is removed, capped and disposed of.
Balance Sharing
The Sprint can be confi gured to share one external balance
with two instruments. One instrument is designated as the
“Main” instrument, and the second instrument is designated
as the “Remote” instrument. This permits the weighing of a
second sample for testing in the “Remote” instrument while
the fi rst sample is being tested in the “Main” instrument. Setup
for balance share is described in the “Instrument Setup” sec-
tion of this manual
Computer Settings
The Sprint has an assigned IP address which is used to iden-
tify it when it is connected to a network or when it is sharing
a balance with another Sprint. If the Sprint is connected to a
network, the network administrator will assign an IP address
to be entered in “Computer Settings.” This requires comple-
tion prior to system setup for sharing a balance.
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