Enhance Bioprocess Sampling with MAST^® Autosampling Solution

Automated aseptic sampling is a process analytical technology (PAT) tool that offers significant benefits for bioprocesses, including reduced contamination risk, higher measurement frequency, and improved efficiency with regard to time and resources. As a result, it enables improved process understanding and tighter process control.

Section Overview

• Key Benefits of the MAST^® Autosampling Solution
• MAST^® Autosampling Solution: Components
• MAST^® Autosampling Solution: Implementation

The MAST^® Autosampling Solution is a versatile and modality-agnostic autosampling solution that ensures the direct collection and delivery of samples for analysis from multiple sources without manual intervention, providing the user with more time to perform other value-added tasks. It offers a seamless and automated sampling solution for near real-time, online measurements of critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs) in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring compliance with stringent biopharmaceutical regulations.

It is configurable to fit any process and scale in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and can be combined with other PAT technologies, such as Raman spectroscopy, for an improved calibration and validation of data-driven models.

Key Benefits of the MAST^® Autosampling Solution

• Process Automation: Fully automated solution, with no need for off-line sampling or manual intervention, minimizes the risk of sample source contamination and supports more consistent, process-representative data points.
• Streamlined Analytics: Integration of the MAST^® Autosampling Solution reduces the time and resources required for processing and analyzing collected samples, improving process efficiency.
• Sampling Reliability: Unique closed system design and high-pressure cleaning, sanitization, and drying process after sample collection provide robust sterility protection and minimize contamination risks.
• Intensified Results: On-line, near real-time analytics with a high sampling frequency, reduce turnaround times and experiments needed during process development, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the process.
• Process Flexibility: A GMP-ready solution that is modality-agnostic, modular in design and ideal for upstream process (USP) development, downstream processing (DSP), and microbial fermentation applications, ensures effective sampling fit to your specific processing needs.

The MAST^® Autosampling Solution can accommodate:  

• Up to Ten Sample Sources
• Up to Four Primary Analytical Destinations
• Multiple Secondary Analytical Destinations

MAST^® Autosampling Solution: Components

At its foundation, the MAST^® Autosampling Solution is comprised of several integral components designed to fit your processing needs with ease.  

Sample Pilots

Primary component of the MAST^® Autosampling Solution, designed to ensure sample source sterility while collecting samples for reliable delivery to their intended destinations. Two options exist for an ideal fit to the respective process set-up and scale.

• Sample Pilot SP100: Designed for use with stainless-steel sources or bioreactors that are sterilized in place. Two options available for 10 mL or 55 mL sample collection.
• Sample Pilot SP200: Designed for use in development scale and with single-use sources irrespective of their size. Two compact options available for 1 mL or 5 mL sample collection.

Controllers and Valve Modules

Integral components of the MAST^® Autosampling Solution supported by the MASTconnect Software Suite, designed to fit your processing needs with ease.

• Master Controller: The Master Controller integrates the sample pilots with a series of valves and pumps that enables the system to collect from one source and direct samples to a single analytical destination.
• Sample Navigator Controller & Valve Module: The Sample Navigator Controller & Valve Module are used along with a Master Controller to operate and route up to five different Sample Pilot units from different sample sources. Two Sample Navigators can be utilized per Master Controller allowing for up to ten sampling sources per system. 
• Analytical Navigator Controller: The Analytical Navigator Controller is used along with a Master Controller to direct a sample to a primary analytical destination. The Analytical Navigator Controller can connect up to four primary analytical devices.