Air Samplers
Sartorius MD8 AirScan
Features
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Sartorius MD8 Airscan |
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MD8 AirScan Features
Operational Advantages The MD8 AirScan offers distinct operational advantages. When used with the isolator installation kit, the filter head is mounted inside the clean room/ isolator with the sampling device mounted outside the room. This is desirable because it eliminates corrosion problems for the air sampler from the sterilizing agents, there is no particle emission or turbulence, no risk of secondary contamination and the filter head requires minimal space inside the critical test area. The sampling head can be positioned in the vicinity of the critical zone and allows for in-situ sterilization of filter holder and connecting hose. Users now have the possibility of operating the sampler from a distance using either of two remote control configurations: a PC and connecting cable; the accessories required include a PC or laptop (Microsoft Windows 95/98 software or higher) and a printer; or a PLC interface unit. This version requires only separate interface port for the PLC unit. |
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| Accuracy The MD8 AirScan also has several advantages in air sampling accuracy. Very low bacteria counts can be measured because the high flow rates allow sampling of large volumes in a short time, 1 m3 in less than 8 minutes. This makes the method ideal for validating and monitoring the most critical sterile areas. When monitoring clean rooms and isolator equipment with laminar-flow installations, clean benches and air conditioning equipment, it is absolutely necessary that sampling be conducted under isokinetic conditions. This requires that the air intake rate of the air sampler be equal to the laminar flow rate and the sampling head of the gelatin membrane filter to be positioned perpendicularly to the air stream. If sampling is done at a rate lower than the laminar air flow, too many large particles will be collected on the filter surface due to the effects of inertia. Conversely, if sampling is done at a rate higher than the laminar air flow, too many smaller particles will be collected on the filter surface. In either case, the results will not be representative of the particle distribution actually present in the laminar flow system during sampling. The MD8 AirScan utilizes the gelatin membrane filter method which boasts a 99.9% retention rate for airborne bacteria and is the only method capable of reliably collecting airborne viruses. The system is capable of capturing the lowest microbial concentration possible; 1cfu/m3. |
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The Gelatin Membrane Filter Method The MD8 AirScan utilizes the gelatin membrane filter method for collecting airborne microorganisms. This is the only sampling method that boasts a 99.9% retention rate for airborne microorganisms compared with 40%-60% for other collection methods and a 99.9% retention rate for airborne viruses. Due to the porous nature of the filter, all bacteria-laden particles are captured, regardless of size and the residual moisture content of the filter prevents desiccation of the retained organisms. Filters are pre-sterilized (gamma irradiation), single or triple bagged, H2O2 safe and disposable. |
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After sampling, there are two filter transfer methods: direct and indirect. Using the direct method, the filter is placed directly on an agar nutrient plate. The gelatin filter dissolves, leaving the microorganisms in direct contact with the plate. Using the indirect method, after sampling, the gelatin filter is dissolved in a sterile solution. The solution is then membrane-filtered and the filter disk is placed on an agar medium. The indirect method is useful for special evaluations, such as when inhibitors are present in the air being sampled, high colony counts are expected or when microorganisms collected are to be incubated on several different agar types simultaneously. When the virus concentration is to be determined, the indirect method must be used so that retained viruses can be cultivated in the solution and analyzed by virological or molecular biological methods. |
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Literature
Sartorius Airscan Brochure (249.67 kB) Air In Fresh Meat Departments (447.27 kB) CleanRooms Air Monitoring Comparison (580.59 kB) Collecting Viruses (186.19 kB) Gelatin Membrane Validation Article (284 kB) Monitoring Isolator Air (523.51 kB) Testing For Airborne Listeria Using The Gelatin Membrane F. (87.67 kB) Testing In Dairies (93.16 kB) Tests On The Colony (1.5 MB) Sartofluor Capsules Datasheet (526.21 kB)
Specs
| MD8 AirScan | |
| Air throughput | 2.0 m3/h to 8.0 m3 /h, in increments of 0.1 m3 /h |
| Max deviation | +/- 5% within the temperature air throughput range of15oC to 35oC |
| Timer | 1-99 minutes, adjustable in steps of 1 minute |
| Power | 700 W |
| Safety fuses | 6.3 Amp. 115 V; 3.15 Amp. 230 V |
| Noise level | Max 62 dB(A) with gelatin membrane filters |
| Weight | Approx. 6.5 kg |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) in mm | 375 x 242 x 228 |
| Voltage | 100/115/230-volt version (50/60 Hz) |
| Gelatin Filter Disposables | |
| Materials | Membrane: Gelatin, Filter holder: Cyrolite |
| Filter Diameter | 80mm |
| Thickness | approx. 250 um |
| Pore size | 3.0 um |
| Retentive Capacity |
Bacteria: 99.9995% at the inlet velocity of 0.25 m/s Viruses: 99.9% for T1 phages (coli phages) at a relative humidity of 50% and inlet velocity of 0.3 m/s 99.94% for T3 phages (coli phages) at a relative humidity of 80% and inlet velocity of 0.3 m/s |
| Max allowable humidity | 85% |
| Max allowable temperature | 30oC |
| Sterilization | Gamma irradiation |
| Calibration Unit | |
| Measuring range | min. 1.6 m3/h max 16 m3/h |
| Max error of measuring system | up to 3.2 m3/h = +/- 3%; 3.2-16 m3/h = +/- 1.5% |
| Current consumed by the electronic circuitry for measurement | 8 mA |
| Pulse output | 5,000 pulses= 1m3 |
| Allowable ambient temperature | -10oC…+40oC |
| Allowable temperature of the media | -10oC…+40oC |
| Allowable humidity (rel.%) | 30-80% |
| Type of protection | IP 40 during operation with filter holder, connector hose and PVC |
| Hours of operation with fully charged battery pack | approx. 70hrs |
| Time needed to completely recharge battery | 30hrs |
| Weight | approx. 5.6 kg |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) in mm | 295 x 174 x 246 |
Accessories
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-Adaptor for gelatin membrane filter units:
-Gelatin Membrane Filter Disposables: Individually packaged, pre-sterilized and ready to connect the adaptor, each consists of a gelatin membrane filter and holder. Sterilized by gamma irradiation, available single or triple-bagged. Come in boxes of ten. |
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| -Calibration Unit: The portable Sartorius 16740 Calibration Unit has been specifically developed for the flow rate calibration of the MD8 series of air samplers. By employing this calibration unit, users of the MD8 air samplers are able to precisely calibrate their instruments themselves. Calibration is done by connecting the two units inline and measuring the actual volume of air passing through the Calibration Unit at the indicated flow rates. |
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-Set of connectors (for hose) One connector for air sampler inlet to flexible hose and one connector for flexible hose to filter holder/adaptor |
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| -Carrying case for MD8 AirScan |  |
| Flexible PVC hose with reinforced ends, available in 2 lengths: 2 m and 5 m |  |
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Accessories needed for attachment to isolator/ clean room
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| -Silicone tubing, sterilizable, 1 m in length (2 are needed OR 1 silicone tube and 1 flexible PVC hose) |  |
| -Support stand for positioning filter head in isolator/ clean room, includes clamp and clamp holder |  |
| -Adaptor (DN 25 hose barb to 1” – 1 ½” Sanitary flange) to connect MD8 AirScan to an isolator via silicone tubing and a filter capsule OR adaptor (DN 30 hose barb to 1” – 1 ½” Sanitary flange) to connect MD8 AirScan to an isolator via flexible PVC hose and a filter capsule (2 are needed) |  |
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-Adaptor for gelatin membrane filter units: Allows for the attachment of the gelatin membrane filter disposables; to be fitted on the MD8 inlet. Available in aluminum or stainless steel. |
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| -Stainless steel holding clamp for 1” – 1 ½” Sanitary flanges (2 are needed) |  |
| -Sartofluor capsule with PTFE membrane and sanitary flange inlet and outlet, for sterile air filtration inserted between the MD8 AirScan and isolator. |  |
Related Products
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Portable version of the MD8 air samplers. Utilizes the gelatin membrane filter sampling method which is the only method boasting a 99.9% retention rate for airborne microorganisms. Air passes through the filter which captures the microorganism. The fil... |
