Ultra-low flow control has always been a challenge for OEM instrument makers working with microfluidics. Fluctuations at low speeds, flow instability, and inconsistent dosing often lead to wasted reagents, unreliable results, or overly complex setups.
At AMF, we’ve solved this with our new HD models, first introduced in the LSPone HD, our benchtop syringe pump designed for laboratory environments. The good news? This same technology is now available in an OEM format with the launch of the SPM HD.
Built on the proven SPM base, the SPM HD is designed specifically for instrument manufacturers: no casing, no interface, full control via your own protocol. It combines OEM-friendly integration with a major innovation in microfluidic fluid handling: stable, smooth, and precise flow rates, even at nL/min.
Whether you’re designing a diagnostic device, a biochip platform, or a compact liquid handling module, the SPM HD gives you both high performance and full integration flexibility.
The SPM HD isn’t just a stripped-down lab pump. It’s a purpose-built OEM component developed for precise liquid control at the core of microfluidic systems.
It gives instrument makers a solution that delivers stable ultra-low flow, reliable reproducibility, and microfluidic-grade performance, all in a form factor that’s ready for integration.
At the heart of the SPM HD is AMF’s new HD plunger control system, enabling precise and smooth displacement of the syringe plunger, even at extremely low speeds. This ensures fluid movement that is linear, pulse-free, and reproducible, well beyond what conventional entry-level syringe pumps can achieve.
Where standard systems often lose control below ~100 µL/min, the SPM HD maintains stable flow down to sub-microlitre per minute levels. This makes it especially suited for sensitive applications like cell perfusion, controlled enzymatic reactions, or the metering of high-value reagents, where even slight inconsistencies can affect outcomes.
To validate this performance, we mapped the flow stability across a wide range of flow rates and syringe sizes. The heatmap below shows the coefficient of variation (CV%), confirming the SPM HD’s ability to deliver precise, ultra-low flow with exceptional consistency.
Flow stability heatmap: coefficient of variation (CV%) for various syringe sizes and flow rates. Low CV values across the range confirm excellent repeatability, even in the sub-µL/min zone.
Designed for the most sensitive protocols, the SPM HD ensures unmatched stability at ultra-low flow rates.
To back this up with concrete values, here are the measured flow rates achieved using the HD system, showing high accuracy and low deviation, even at very low setpoints.
The SPM HD isn’t a repurposed lab tool, it’s built on the proven, robust SPM platform, fully tested under OEM operating conditions and developed with integration in mind.
When developing a microfluidic instrument, flow control isn’t just about moving liquid, it’s about moving it with absolute stability, especially at very low volumes where performance often breaks down.
This is exactly where the SPM HD stands out.
Its HD system enables ultra-stable flow from nanoliters per minute, delivering the consistency OEMs need for:
Here’s why instrument makers choose it as the backbone of their fluid handling system:
You no longer need to overdesign your instrument to compensate for pulsation or variability. The SPM HD handles that by design.
In microfluidics, every microliter counts, especially when working with rare or high-value reagents. The SPM HD is engineered to limit losses at every step:
This is especially important for OEMs in diagnostics or therapeutics, where fluid purity and consistency are non-negotiable.
Unlike systems that require separate valves and connections, the SPM HD includes a built-in microfluidic rotary valve. This allows your instrument to:
Fewer parts mean simpler fluidic paths, faster development, and lower risk of leaks or failures.
The SPM HD is designed to be invisible inside your system:
Whether your instrument is handheld, benchtop, or part of a multi-module system, the SPM HD adapts.
You control the SPM HD from your own system, not ours. That means:
This gives your engineering team full autonomy and simplifies regulatory validation (no GUI updates, no firmware locks).
The SPM HD is already being evaluated or integrated by OEMs working on compact, high-precision systems across biotech, diagnostics, and analytical chemistry. Its built-in rotary valve, combined with ultra-low flow precision, makes it ideal for instruments that need fluid switching, metering, and dispensing, all in one unit.
Here are a few typical applications:
Point-of-care instruments often require multiple reagents to be delivered in sequence, but space is limited, and fluid paths must stay clean.
The SPM HD handles reagent selection using its internal rotary valve, draws each liquid precisely with minimal dead volume, and delivers it directly to the reaction chamber. No external switching or large tubing arrays needed.
For cell biology systems, stable perfusion at very low flow rates is critical to mimic physiological conditions. Sudden pressure changes or pulsation can damage cells.
With its HD system, the SPM HD delivers continuous flow from nL/min, allowing for gentle, reproducible perfusion. Its compact format fits easily into stacked or modular chip platforms.
In life science instruments, switching between buffers without cross-contamination is essential to avoid sample loss or protocol failure.
Thanks to its very low carryover and no dead volume design, the SPM HD enables clean, automated buffer transitions, reducing manual handling and improving throughput.
Fluid volume matters, especially when dealing with limited DNA/RNA samples or expensive enzymes.
The SPM HD delivers microliter-level accuracy with each stroke, ensuring sample integrity while minimizing reagent usage.
Space, autonomy, and simplicity are key in compact systems.
By integrating both the pump and valve, the SPM HD reduces the number of components needed, simplifies wiring and fluidic layout, and enables more compact instrument design.
More than a component: tailored microfluidics for your instrument
At AMF, we know that no two OEM systems are exactly alike. Whether you’re developing a compact diagnostic platform, a biotech analyzer, or an integrated research tool, your fluidic needs are unique.
That’s why the SPM HD isn’t just a standalone component, it’s part of a broader offer: tailored microfluidic solutions designed around your specifications.
Our engineering team regularly co-develops custom valve configurations for OEMs in need of precise control over switching, isolation, or multiplexing.
In many projects, we support OEMs beyond just a syringe pump. Depending on your integration needs, we can:
Whether you’re building one module or a complete microfluidic subsystem, we’re able to adapt our designs to your environment, mechanically, fluidically, and electronically.
From feasibility to integration, our R&D and sales engineers work hand-in-hand with your team to:
We’re used to working under NDA and long development cycles, with the reliability and responsiveness that OEMs expect.
Whether you’re still in the design phase or already validating components, we’re here to support your integration with:
From standalone pumps to fully custom liquid handling assemblies, AMF works side-by-side with OEMs to turn complex fluidics into robust, manufacturable systems.
Receive the latest updates, insights, and advancements in microfluidics directly to your inbox Your email address is used exclusively for newsletter distributionand you can opt out at any time through the provided unsubscribe link.