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EnglishHow Flownamics Automated Sampling Systems Work
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Flownamics builds automated sampling and bioprocess automation systems that pull small, precise samples directly from bioreactors so that analytical instruments can measure the culture without manual intervention. The core mechanism is the company's patented Segmented Sampling Technology, used in the Seg-Flow line. If you run upstream or downstream bioprocess work and want fewer manual draws, more consistent timing, and samples that can feed online analyzers, this is the category of system to evaluate. If you only need occasional grab samples, the automation is likely more than the task requires.
The core mechanism: segmented sampling
The Seg-Flow system takes a small, precise sample of the process in a minimum amount of time. Rather than flushing a large volume through tubing to reach an analyzer, the design segments the sample so that a defined, representative aliquot is delivered. Flownamics describes this as its patented Segmented Sampling Technology, developed after the company observed a need for greater process consistency.
The practical consequences:
- Small sample volume — less culture removed from the reactor per draw.
- Short cycle time — a precise sample is obtained in minimal time.
- Repeatability — the same defined aliquot is taken each cycle, which is what makes trending meaningful over a run.
What the systems connect to
Flownamics positions its samplers as the front end of an automated on-line analytical loop. Documented integrations on the site include:
| Integration | What it does |
|---|---|
| Agilent 1260 Infinity II Online LC + SegFlow S3 & SampleMod | Combines the sampler with online LC for automated analysis |
| Sartorius Ambr 250 Modular Vessel | Sampling probe that withdraws sterile, cell-free samples |
| Raman platforms | Interfaces the Raman system with cell-containing and cell-free samples from the bioreactor |
| Vi-CELL BLU | Fully automated on-line cell viability/counting for up to 8 bioreactors |
| Peltier cooling device | Two temperature zones holding sample racks at a set temperature down to 0°C |
The Sartorius probe matters for a specific reason: it allows withdrawal of sterile, cell-free samples, which is the requirement when the downstream analyzer cannot tolerate cells.
Why low shear matters
Flownamics states that low shear makes the Seg-Flow PS ideally suited for cell and gene therapy applications. Shear is the mechanical stress a sampling path puts on cells. A gentle path preserves viability and keeps the sample representative of the reactor, which is the difference between a measurement you can trust and one distorted by the act of sampling.
Feeding and liquid handling
Beyond sampling, the site describes automated, accurate feeding from one stock solution to up to six bioreactors, managed by a compact, single-use syringe pump platform. It also lists a compact liquid handler and an automated sampler with a fully integrated fraction collector, both described as first-of-their-kind. These extend the same automation principle — consistent, scheduled, low-touch liquid movement — to the feed and fraction-collection side of a run.
Monitoring and scheduling
The Seg-Flow S3 uses a more graphical interface than earlier generations. Monitoring and scheduling are more intuitive, and the user can see where the sampling cycle is and what reagent levels remain at a glance. For a lab running long or overnight cultures, that visibility is what determines whether an unattended run stays on schedule.
Choosing whether this fits
Consider a Flownamics-style automated sampler when:
- You need frequent, evenly spaced samples over a long run and manual draws are the bottleneck or a consistency risk.
- You want to feed an online analyzer (LC, Raman, cell counter) continuously rather than batch-wise.
- Your cells are shear-sensitive, or you need sterile, cell-free sample for the analyzer.
- You are running multiple bioreactors and want one platform to manage sampling across them.
Look elsewhere when sample volume is not constrained, sampling is infrequent, or the analysis is already manual and offline by design.
Getting specifics
Flownamics has operated in this market for over 30 years, spanning upstream small-scale R&D reactors to downstream production and purification. For current configurations, pricing, and compatibility with your specific reactor and analyzer, the site directs inquiries through its contact team and offers a virtual demo. Product appearances are also listed for events such as BPI East 2026, alongside a webinar, "From Bioreactor to Analyzer." Those are the practical entry points for confirming whether a given Seg-Flow configuration matches your vessel and instrument.