easyBlood STAR Line – Automated Blood Fractionation Workstation

Automated, pre-analytic, image-based blood sample fractionation is ideal for biobanks, clinical laboratories, and research organizations.

Confidence in Every Sample: The easyBlood STAR Line delivers peace of mind through fully automated blood sample fractionation with end-to-end traceability. From intelligent image-based detection to precision pipetting, every feature is designed to ensure sample quality, operator safety, and workflow consistency, giving complete confidence in every run.

Optimal Process Control: Dedicated imaging hardware and fraction detection software unite in a single system to ensure that every step of the fractionation process is recorded and fully traceable.

Facilitate Downstream Applications: The easyBlood STAR Line deck is configurable. This means that in addition to fractionating blood samples, users can opt to further process and prepare samples for different downstream analyses.

Pre-Analytics to Post-Analytics: The easyBlood STAR Line is just the start of your sample’s journey with Hamilton and ideal for combining with short- and long-term automated storage solutions.

Hamilton Technology starts at the channel. (Pipetting Technology / Dynamic Positioning System (DPS))

DPS - Dynamic Positioning System – For Efficient Movements: DPS enables all channels to pipette simultaneously, even across non-uniform patterns. Unlike fixed channels with equidistant spreading, DPS offers efficient yet flexible liquid handling for cherry picking, non-uniform and variable volume samples, and complex pipetting workflows.

CO-RE II Tip/Tool Attachment – The Key to Liquid Handling Workflow Excellence: The new CO-RE II technology assures more precise tip alignment, minimizing the risk of collisions. Also, tip coupling is faster which boosts productivity. Besides tips, a wide range of Hamilton tools are applicable with CO-RE II.

Aerosol-Free Tip Ejection – To Prevent Cross-Contamination: As part of CO-RE II technology’s functionality, pipette tips are gently ejected from each automated liquid handler pipetting channel. This prevents aerosol generation that may expose users to harmful biohazards or cross-contaminate samples and laboratory surfaces.

Transport Solutions – CO-RE Gripper – For Additional Movements: Further streamline automated workflows with CO-RE Grippers. These agile grippers transform Hamilton's precision pipette channels into on-deck labware transport solutions on Hamilton automated liquid handlers.

Liquid Handling Technology – LFC - Liquid Fractionation Control – For Detecting Liquid Layers via Pressure Monitoring: Pressure-based monitoring method to detect liquid interfaces in layered samples like centrifuged blood or liquid-liquid chemical extractions. LFC simultaneously and rapidly identifies, separates, and aliquots up to 16 samples into various labware targets. It includes full sample traceability.

Liquid Handling Technology – MAD - Monitored Air Displacement – For Unmatched Reliability: MAD monitors the air displacement in each pipetting channel of a Hamilton automated liquid handler. During liquid aspiration steps, this non-contact technology immediately identifies clots, empty wells, or other aspiration issues. It also delivers a confirmation of successful aspiration in each pipetting channel of a Hamilton automated liquid handler.

Liquid Handling Technology – TADM – Total Aspiration & Dispense Monitoring – For Real-Time Pipetting Accuracy: During aspirate and dispense steps, TADM monitors real-time pressure changes in each Hamilton liquid handler pipetting channel. Results are compared against expected values to expose anomalies like bubbles and insufficient volumes. Sample transfers are verified with a digital audit trail.

Liquid Handling Technology – Dual Liquid Level Detection (LLD) – For Accurate Aspirations: Dual LLD uses two sensors on each liquid handling pipetting channel. A capacitance sensor detects aqueous and conductive liquid surfaces while a pressure-based sensor works with non-conductive, viscous, and volatile liquids. Together, they ensure highly accurate and reliable liquid handling performance.

Transport Solutions – Plate Gripper – For Flexible Integration: Plate Grippers move labware to-and-from any position on the Hamilton automated liquid handling deck. For even greater hands-free efficiency and workflow integration, the Plate Grippers can transport plates to-and-from nearby off-deck devices (access location is platform-specific).

Accessories – Autoload – For Convenient Identification: Uses a 1D barcode scanner to automatically identify and verify samples, carriers, and consumables such as tips, tubes, micro plates, and reagent troughs as they are placed onto the liquid handling deck. Optional 2D barcode reading is available, and results may be sent to any LIMS for documentation.

Liquid Handling Technology – Anti-Droplet Control (ADC) – For Drip-Free Pipetting: Pressure sensors on Hamilton’s pipetting channels continuously detect variations. Any changes are immediately compensated for by dosing drive movements to prevent droplet formation. Essential for high-precision and accuracy when pipetting volatile liquids like ethanol and acetonitrile.

Explore the easyBlood STAR Line: Imaging Channel; Microlab STAR; Dedicated Tube Carrier; Image Analysis Software; Autoload and Barcode Scanner

Services – Hamilton EMEA Company Training: Increase your automation knowledge with Hamilton’s in-person and virtual training courses, covering automated liquid handler programming and VENUS software.

Installation & Beyond: Trust in Hamilton’s Field Service Engineers for high-quality automated liquid handler installation, preventative maintenance, and field repairs.

Key Features

• Per Run: Up To 96 Samples
• Diameter Tubes: Compatible With 11-16 mm
• Stat: Full Sample Traceability Detect and Transfer From Start to Finish
• DPS - Dynamic Positioning System – For Efficient Movements: DPS enables all channels to pipette simultaneously, even across non-uniform patterns. Unlike fixed channels with equidistant spreading, DPS offers efficient yet flexible liquid handling for cherry picking, non-uniform and variable volume samples, and complex pipetting workflows.
• CO-RE II Tip/Tool Attachment – The Key to Liquid Handling Workflow Excellence: The new CO-RE II technology assures more precise tip alignment, minimizing the risk of collisions. Also, tip coupling is faster which boosts productivity. Besides tips, a wide range of Hamilton tools are applicable with CO-RE II.
• Aerosol-Free Tip Ejection – To Prevent Cross-Contamination: As part of CO-RE II technology’s functionality, pipette tips are gently ejected from each automated liquid handler pipetting channel. This prevents aerosol generation that may expose users to harmful biohazards or cross-contaminate samples and laboratory surfaces.
• Transport Solutions – CO-RE Gripper – For Additional Movements: Further streamline automated workflows with CO-RE Grippers. These agile grippers transform Hamilton's precision pipette channels into on-deck labware transport solutions on Hamilton automated liquid handlers.
• Liquid Handling Technology – LFC - Liquid Fractionation Control – For Detecting Liquid Layers via Pressure Monitoring: Pressure-based monitoring method to detect liquid interfaces in layered samples like centrifuged blood or liquid-liquid chemical extractions. LFC simultaneously and rapidly identifies, separates, and aliquots up to 16 samples into various labware targets. It includes full sample traceability.
• Liquid Handling Technology – MAD - Monitored Air Displacement – For Unmatched Reliability: MAD monitors the air displacement in each pipetting channel of a Hamilton automated liquid handler. During liquid aspiration steps, this non-contact technology immediately identifies clots, empty wells, or other aspiration issues. It also delivers a confirmation of successful aspiration in each pipetting channel of a Hamilton automated liquid handler.
• Liquid Handling Technology – TADM – Total Aspiration & Dispense Monitoring – For Real-Time Pipetting Accuracy: During aspirate and dispense steps, TADM monitors real-time pressure changes in each Hamilton liquid handler pipetting channel. Results are compared against expected values to expose anomalies like bubbles and insufficient volumes. Sample transfers are verified with a digital audit trail.
• Liquid Handling Technology – Dual Liquid Level Detection (LLD) – For Accurate Aspirations: Dual LLD uses two sensors on each liquid handling pipetting channel. A capacitance sensor detects aqueous and conductive liquid surfaces while a pressure-based sensor works with non-conductive, viscous, and volatile liquids. Together, they ensure highly accurate and reliable liquid handling performance.
• Transport Solutions – Plate Gripper – For Flexible Integration: Plate Grippers move labware to-and-from any position on the Hamilton automated liquid handling deck. For even greater hands-free efficiency and workflow integration, the Plate Grippers can transport plates to-and-from nearby off-deck devices (access location is platform-specific).
• Accessories – Autoload – For Convenient Identification: Uses a 1D barcode scanner to automatically identify and verify samples, carriers, and consumables such as tips, tubes, micro plates, and reagent troughs as they are placed onto the liquid handling deck. Optional 2D barcode reading is available, and results may be sent to any LIMS for documentation.
• Liquid Handling Technology – Anti-Droplet Control (ADC) – For Drip-Free Pipetting: Pressure sensors on Hamilton’s pipetting channels continuously detect variations. Any changes are immediately compensated for by dosing drive movements to prevent droplet formation. Essential for high-precision and accuracy when pipetting volatile liquids like ethanol and acetonitrile.
• Speed Meets Precision: Whether targeting red blood cells directly or aliquoting multiple fractions, easyBlood can quickly and reliably isolate the fraction you need.
• Sample Integrity: Sample traceability from start to finish, including before and after images of pipetted fractions, helps maximize sample integrity throughout the process.
• Improved Recovery Rates: Improve recovery rates of buffy coats or PBMCs with the easyBlood STAR Line.
• Imaging Channel: The high-resolution imaging channel enables precise blood fraction detection in up to 96 samples per run.
• Microlab STAR: The Microlab STAR is central to the easyBlood STAR Line and uses advanced CO-RE II Technology to gently and effectively transfer blood fractions.
• Dedicated Tube Carrier: The easyBlood STAR Line sample tube carrier is compatible with primary sample tubes ranging from 11 to 16 mm in diameter.

Applications

• Biobanking
• Pharma & Biopharma
• Drug Discovery
• ADME/DMPK
• In Vitro Diagnostics

Specifications

Documents

• easyBlood STARlet specifications (printable spec sheet)
• easyBlood STAR specifications (printable spec sheet)
• Flyer: Automated Blood Fractionation
• Flyer: Automation Solutions for LC-MS Sample Prep Workflows
• Application Note: Cell Care STAR | Seeding from Trough
• Article: Biobanking in the Era of Precision Medicine
• Webinar: Automated Blood Fractionation: Imaging and Sensor-Based Solutions
• Webinar: Revolution in Action: User-Driven Software for Cloud-Powered Integration
• Webinar: Hands‑Free, High‑Throughput: Transforming 10x Prep with Hamilton Automation