Acoustic tube technology streamlines sample management workflows

Azenta Life Sciences is advancing compound management with acoustic tube technology that enables fully acoustic, end-to-end workflows, improving speed, efficiency and reproducibility in next-generation screening applications.

Acoustic liquid handling, widely used in drug discovery, uses focused ultrasonic energy to transfer liquids without physical contact. This enables highly precise nanolitre dispensing while eliminating pipette tips, reducing both contamination risk and variability. Despite these advantages, many workflows still rely on plate-based storage and reformatting steps, limiting overall efficiency.

Azenta’s approach removes these bottlenecks by allowing direct acoustic transfer from storage to assay. By using the sample tube itself as the acoustic source, the technology eliminates intermediate plates and tip-based handling, simplifying workflows from storage through to assay-ready plate generation.

The system builds on the established FluidX™ 2D-coded tube platform and is fully compatible with leading acoustic liquid handling systems, including the Echo Liquid Handlers from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences. This integration supports faster processing while enhancing data quality and consistency.

Designed specifically for acoustic performance, the tubes enable efficient transmission of acoustic energy for reliable droplet ejection. Their compact format reduces storage requirements while maintaining compatibility with automated systems. Each tube also features a 2D code for secure sample tracking and traceability.

With durability suited to long-term storage and repeated automated use, the technology supports high-throughput environments and evolving drug discovery demands, offering a scalable solution for modern sample management.

Azenta is headquartered in Burlington, MA, with operations in North America, Europe and Asia. 

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