🔴 Originally by 3M · Now by CDS Analytical
Empore™ Cartridges
Empore membrane technology in a standard cartridge format. Higher packing density and lower elution volumes than traditional loose-packed SPE cartridges. Available in 1mL, 3mL, and 6mL
⚡Proprietary Prefilter
🛡 1mL / 3mL / 6mL
✓ 30+ Sorbent Chemistries
SPECIFICATIONS
Technical Specifications
Cartridge Sizes
4mm/1mL, 7mm/3mL, 10mm/6mL
Cartridge Material
Polypropylene
Sorbent Chemistries
30+ available
Membrane Composition
≥90% sorbent, ≤10% polymer
Prefilter
Graded Density Polypropylene
Elution Volume (1mL)
100–200 µL
Elution Volume (3mL)
200–400 µL
Elution Volume (6mL)
600–1,000 µL
Originally developed by 3M® in 1989. Manufactured in our GMP-compliant clean room in Oxford, PA.
Cartridge Construction
What's Inside Every Cartridge
A precision three-layer assembly built into a standard polypropylene cartridge — designed to handle complex biological samples without clogging.
1
Cartridge Reservoir
The top opening of each polypropylene well. Two sealing rings — one below the Empore disk and a second above the prefilter — lock the layered assembly in place.
2
Empore™ SPE Membrane
The particle-loaded extraction membrane — ≥90% sorbent particles bonded in an inert polymer matrix. Secured at the bottom of the cartridge by a sealing ring. This is where extraction happens.
3
Proprietary, Multi-Layer Polypropylene Prefilter
An 8-layer graded-density prefilter: 1 coarse layer on top, 1 medium layer below, 5 fine layers (smallest pore size) at the bottom, plus a porous polypropylene support membrane. Captures particulates and macromolecules from serum, plasma, and tissue extracts — preventing clogging before they reach the Empore disk.
Technical Reference
Cartridge Average Bed Mass
Sorbent mass per cartridge across all three formats. Silica sorbents are available in both SD and HD density; polymer/resin sorbents are HD only.
Effective Membrane Diameter | Cartridge Volume | SD Silica | HD Silica | HD Resin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4 mm | 1 mL | 5.5 mg | 4 mg | 2.2 mg |
7 mm | 3 mL | 17 mg | 12 mg | 7.5 mg |
10 mm | 6 mL | 35 mg | 24 mg | 15.0 mg |
Silica-based sorbents: C8, C18, and other silica chemistries. Resin-based sorbents: SDB-XC, SDB-RPS, HLB, SAX, SCX, UR, Chelating, NH₂, PSA, and other polymer chemistries.
SELECTION GUIDE
Find the Right Cartridge
In-stock cartridge sorbents across silica, polymer, ion exchange, and chelating chemistries — in 4 mm/1 mL, 7 mm/3 mL, and 10 mm/6 mL formats with 2-layer high-capacity options. 30+ Empore™ chemistries available for custom orders.
Sorbent | Suggested Application | Available Sizes |
|---|---|---|
C8-SD | Moderately nonpolar analytes | 1, 3, 6 mL |
C8-HD | Moderately nonpolar analytes | 1, 3, 6 mL |
C18-SD | Strongly nonpolar analytes | 1, 3, 6 mL |
SDB-XC | Moderately nonpolar analytes plus π–π interactions | 1, 3, 6 mL |
SDB-RPS | Moderately nonpolar and cation exchange | 1, 3, 6 mL |
HLB | Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance — broad selectivity for polar and nonpolar analytes | 1, 3, 6 mL |
Anion-SR (SAX) | Chromium, arsenic, selenium, carboxylic acids, etc. | 1, 3, 6 mL |
Cation-SR (SCX) | Metals, amines | 1, 3, 6 mL |
Universal Resin (UR) | A range of basic, neutral, and acid compounds | 1, 3, 6 mL |
Chelating | Divalent metals and other divalent cations | 1, 3, 6 mL |
NH₂ | Fatty acids, phospholipids, glycerides | 1, 3, 6 mL |
PSA | Sugars, fatty acids, and other polar analytes | 1, 3, 6 mL |
The table above shows our in-stock cartridge sorbents. With 30+ Empore™ sorbent chemistries available across our product line, we can manufacture custom 96-well plate configurations to fit specialized applications and OEM partnerships. Contact us for custom sorbent requests →
1
mL
Small Sample Volumes
-
Effective membrane diameter: 4 mm
-
Miniaturizes SPE
-
Ideal for 0.05 to 0.5 mL sample volumes
-
Elution volumes are small and range from 100-200 μL
-
Pack: 100 or 300 cartridges
3
mL
Standard Bioanalysis
-
Effective membrane diameter: 7 mm
-
Most commonly used and versatile in size
-
Typically used for 0.5 to 2 mL sample volumes
-
Elution volumes range from 200-400 μL
-
Pack: 50 or 150 cartridges
6
mL
Large Volume Samples
-
Effective membrane diameter: 10 mm
-
Used for larger sample volumes of several milliliters
-
Higher capacity
-
Elution volumes range from 600- 1000 μL
-
Pack: 30 or 90 cartridges
Why Empore™
4 Reasons Labs Choose Empore™ Cartridges
The original particle-loaded membrane technology in a standard SPE cartridge format — engineered for biological samples and high-volume workflows.
1
Less Sorbent, Same Performance
Empore membrane delivers the same extraction performance with a fraction of the sorbent mass used in traditional loose-packed cartridges. The dense, uniform packing of sorbent particles within the thin Empore membrane eliminates the void volume and channeling typical of loose-packed beds.
2
Built-in Prefilter for Biological Samples
A proprietary multi-layer polypropylene prefilter sits above the Empore disk in every cartridge, preventing particulates and macromolecules from clogging the underlying sorbent. Serum, plasma, and tissue extracts flow through cleanly — no separate filtration step needed.
3
Less Solvent, Less Evaporation
The thin Empore membrane confines sorbent particles, so elution volumes are dramatically reduced — typically 1/10 of traditional loose-packed SPE. This reduces or eliminates time-consuming evaporation steps and cuts solvent usage per sample.
4
Original Empore™ — Now by CDS Analytical
The particle-loaded membrane invented by 3M in 1989, now manufactured by CDS Analytical in Oxford, PA using original formulations and GMP-compliant processes. Same proven chemistry, direct from the manufacturer.
EXPLORE
Not Sure If a Cartridge Is Right
Same trusted Empore™ membrane technology, different formats for different workflows.
RESOURCES
Resources for Cartridges
Download technical documents and application notes
247 Detecting Trace Herbicides in Water Samples by SPE Sample Preparation and GC-MS
FAQ