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Product Introduction
Infectious disease outbreaks do not wait for samples to reach central laboratories. Community clinics in rural areas, mobile health units in disaster zones, and veterinary field stations all require reliable nucleic acid extraction capability at the point of care — not days later after cold-chain transport to a distant facility. The HM-TQ04 from HM Instruments was designed from the ground up to solve this access gap.
At only 4 kg with a 251×234×234 mm footprint, the HM-TQ04 is the lightest automated nucleic acid extractor in its class. It replaces manual spin-column protocols that introduce operator variability with consistent, automated magnetic bead-based purification. The button-controlled interface with LED status indicators means zero learning curve — operators simply load samples, press start, and collect purified DNA or RNA in approximately 20 minutes.
The open reagent platform accepts magnetic bead extraction kits from any manufacturer, allowing clinics to choose disease-specific kits optimized for their testing needs — whether malaria RDT confirmation, tuberculosis molecular screening, or veterinary pathogen identification. Built-in UV disinfection between runs eliminates the cross-contamination risk that plagues manual extraction methods in high-turnover settings. Explore nucleic acid extractor applications across industries.
Applications
- Community health clinics: Rapid infectious disease molecular testing without centralized lab dependency
- Epidemic field response: Deployable pathogen extraction during outbreak investigations in remote areas
- Veterinary mobile units: On-site animal disease screening at farms, markets, and wildlife stations
- Teaching and training labs: Affordable nucleic acid extraction for university molecular biology courses
- Small-scale food testing: Pathogen screening in small food processing facilities and restaurants
Key Features & Advantages
- Ultra-portable 4 kg design: Single-person transport to any location without specialized shipping requirements
- Button operation eliminates training barrier: LED indicators guide operators through extraction without touchscreen complexity
- Open platform cost efficiency: Use affordable third-party magnetic bead kits instead of proprietary reagents, reducing per-test costs by 60-70%
- UV disinfection for sequential testing: Built-in sterilization between runs enables safe high-turnover operation in busy clinics
- 30–1000 μl volume flexibility: Process diverse sample types from small-volume pediatric blood spots to larger environmental swabs
- USB and Type-C dual connectivity: Export extraction logs and connect peripheral devices for documentation compliance
- Silent natural convection cooling: Zero fan noise enables operation in patient-adjacent environments
- Pre-set optimized programs: Factory-loaded extraction protocols for common sample types — no programming required
- Global power compatibility: AC 198–242V input works with standard laboratory and field generator power supplies worldwide
- HM Instruments service network: 280 after-sales service points with 24-hour response and lifetime technical support
Technical Specifications
| Specification | HM-TQ04 |
|---|---|
| Extraction Method | Magnetic Bead |
| Max Channels | 4 |
| Processing Volume | 30–1000 μl |
| Processing Time | ~20 min |
| Temperature Range | Ambient–120°C |
| Reagent Platform | Open |
| Display | LED Indicators |
| Program Storage | Pre-set Programs |
| Connectivity | USB + Type-C |
| UV Disinfection | Yes |
| Cooling Method | Natural Convection |
| Power Supply | AC 198–242V / 450W |
| Operating Conditions | 5–40°C, ≤80% RH |
| Dimensions (mm) | 251×234×234 |
| Weight | 4 kg |
FAQ
Q1: Can the HM-TQ04 operate on battery power or portable generators?
The HM-TQ04 requires AC 198–242V power input at 450W, which is compatible with standard laboratory outlets and most portable generators rated above 500W. While it does not have an internal battery, its low 4 kg weight and compact dimensions make it easy to transport to locations with stable power. For truly off-grid scenarios, a portable UPS or solar-charged battery station rated above 500W can power the instrument.
Q2: How does extraction quality on the HM-TQ04 compare to larger automated systems?
The HM-TQ04 uses the same magnetic bead-based extraction chemistry and open reagent platform as larger HM-TQ models. The core purification mechanism — functional-group-coated superparamagnetic beads selectively binding nucleic acids — is identical. While the HM-TQ04 does not report CV specifications (as it is designed for low-throughput qualitative applications), published studies confirm that magnetic bead extraction on compact systems achieves comparable yield and purity to benchtop automated platforms for samples processed in volumes of 30–1000 μl.
Q3: What sample types can the HM-TQ04 process?
The HM-TQ04 processes all common molecular diagnostic sample types including whole blood, serum, plasma, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, saliva, urine, and tissue homogenates. The 30–1000 μl volume range accommodates small pediatric samples and larger environmental specimens. The temperature range extending to 120°C enables efficient lysis of tough matrices such as bacterial cultures and fungal specimens.
Q4: How many extractions can the HM-TQ04 perform per day?
With approximately 20 minutes per 4-sample batch, a single HM-TQ04 can process roughly 80–100 samples during an 8-hour shift assuming sample preparation time between batches. This throughput is well-suited for community clinics and small laboratories processing fewer than 100 samples daily. For higher-volume requirements, the HM-TQ16 or HM-TQ32 would be more appropriate.
Q5: What maintenance does the HM-TQ04 require?
The HM-TQ04 requires minimal maintenance due to its simplified mechanical design with no moving parts beyond the magnetic rod assembly. Routine maintenance includes running the UV disinfection cycle between batches (automatic), wiping external surfaces weekly with 70% ethanol, and replacing the magnetic rod sleeve annually or after 5,000 extraction cycles. No calibration or preventive maintenance visits are required under normal operating conditions.
Expert Review
Article address:https://www.molecularbio.cn/pro12/portable-point-of-care-nucleic-acid-extractor.html
