21 Enchanced Membrane Filter for Demanding Process Applications


Fluorofil™ filter cartridges from Porvair Filtration Group are manufactured using a highly hydrophobic Gore ePTFE membrane. The enhanced ePTFE membrane offers exceptionally high gas flow rates at low-pressure differentials. When combined with quality all-polypropylene components and high integrity manufacturing techniques, the Fluorofil filter cartridge is ideally suited to the most demanding process conditions.


A new 24-page Validation Guide is available illustrating why Fluorofil ePTFE membrane cartridges are the gold standard for the most demanding filtration applications. The new 2011 validation guide describes the results of testing Fluorofil cartridges under the approved protocol ASTM F838-05, a rigorous test for evaluating the bacterial retention characteristics of membrane filters used to sterilise liquids. The test data confirmed that standard production Fluorofil filter cartridges will retain very high challenge levels of the industry standard test organism Brevundimonas diminuta. To demonstrate sterilisation capabilities in a dry gas process, the Fluorofil filters were challenged with aerosolised phage, as demonstrated using MS-2 coliphage and aerosols of non-vegetative spores, as demonstrated using spores of Bacillus atrophaeus.


The methods and protocols for sampling and challenge testing were carried out in accordance with the Parenteral Drug Association Technical Report 40 Sterilising Filtration of Gases guidelines. Further information is provided to show all components used in the Fluorofil filter cartridge are non-toxic and biologically inert to comply with USP Class VI - 121OC and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21. Fluorofil filter cartridges are also demonstrated to retain integrity after repeated steaming in place cycles (SIP). Data is provided to demonstrate the high performance liquid flow and air flow characteristics of Fluorofil membrane cartridges. Fluorofil cartridges are constructed in an ISO clean room environment under tightly controlled conditions using advanced, highly specialised machinery. Quality and consistency of product are assured by the quality control and manufacturing procedures, which are in place throughout all stages of manufacture. Each module of every Fluorofil PTFE membrane cartridge is 100% integrity tested during manufacture by the forward flow diffusion method.


Circle no. 72 New 96-Channel Handheld Electronic Pipette


The Integra VIAFLO 96 is a new 96-channel electronic pipette that enables fast, precise and easy simultaneous transfer of 96 samples. The VIAFLO 96 has been designed to be used just like a standard handheld pipette. Therefore, no special skills or training are required to operate it. The VIAFLO 96 features the company’s popular Touch Wheel™ pipette user interface enabling simple and fast programming of a wide range of pipetting modes including repeat dispense, serial dilute and sample dilute. Customers will immediately benefit from the increased productivity delivered by their VIAFLO 96. Fast replication or reformatting of 96 and 384 well plates and high precision transferring of reagents, compounds and solutions to or from microplates is now as easy as pipetting with a standard electronic pipette into a single tube.


Four pipetting heads with pipetting volumes up to 0.5µl, 125µl, 300µl or 1250µl are available for the VIAFLO 96. These pipetting heads are interchangeable within seconds enabling optimal matching of the available volume range to the application performed. The VIAFLO 96 uses VIAFLO GripTips that provide a perfect seal every time and won't fall off during use. These tips can also be used for other VIAFLO electronic pipettes. The unique combination of features provided by the VIAFLO 96 not only will increase your productivity but also facilitate accurate delivery of liquids to target vessels, reduce cross contamination, lower operating fatigue and provide consistent results.


Circle no. 73 ADVERTORIAL TubeSpin® Bioreactors


Maria J De Jesus and Florian M Wurm, ExcellGene SA, Monthey, Switzerland EPFL, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland


Frequently, acceptance of a ‘good idea’ comes only after years. TubeSpin bioreactors, short ‘TubeSpins’, modified 50ml centrifuge tubes belong to this category. These bioreactors, used for the culture of suspension cells (CHO, etc.) exceed the performance of other systems in terms of cell growth. High cell densities, similar to those in stirred-tank bioreactors with pH and oxygen control, cannot be achieved in widely used spinners or other small scale culture systems.


Why do they work? Any sterile environment which provides cells with enough oxygen, removes the


waste product CO2, and mixes the suspension well with minimal physical impact (shear stress) will allow suspension cells to grow to their maximal potential at 37°C. In standard bioreactors (200 ml up to 20‘000 L) temperature, oxygen supply, efficient mixing without


shear stress, and CO2 removal are assured by complex controllers, probes, pumps, valves, etc.


In TubeSpins, maintenance of the above-mentioned physico-chemical conditions is assured.


A) Mixing is provided by placing the TubeSpin on a platform that is shaken with a regular, orbital movement.


B) Temperature control is provided by a warm-room or inside of an incubator.


C) Oxygen supply and CO2 removal occurs when gas moves in and out through a 0.2 µm sterile filter membrane.


The liquid in the tube (120-300 rpm) drives a “mini- tornado”, thus assuring an efficient mixing of the gas


volume. Cell consumed oxygen will reduce the O2 content of the gas, and CO2 produced by the cells will enrich the air over the liquid. Thus any concentration difference between


the inside and outside of the tube will be equilibrated and thus provides adequate oxygen into the tube and will remove


excess CO2 efficiently, maintaining the pH of the culture within a suitable range for the cells.


Reference: De Jesus M., Girard P., Bourgeois, Baumgartner M., Jacko G., Amstutz H., and Wurm F.M.; (2004) Tubespin satellites: a fast track approach for process development with animal cells using shaking technology. Biochemical Engineering Journal 17 (3), pp. 217-223.


Circle no. 74 Circle no. 75


Vacuum Filtration “rapid” Filtermax 1000 • Large quadratic filter surface, 20% larger than comparable round forms • Secure footprint eliminates risk of tipping over • Premium PES filter membrane • Low protein binding capacity, high flow rate • Buyer flexibility: filter set, top only and NEW: flask only


Ask us for a free yellow sample case


TPP Techno Plastic Products AG Zollstrasse 155, CH-8219 Trasadingen, Switzerland Telephone +41 (0)52 687 01 87, Fax +41 (0)52 687 01 77 info@tpp.ch, www.tpp.ch


Rack for TubeSpin® Bioreactor 600 • New rack to complete Bioreactor family • Optimal fit for 3 x TubeSpin® Bioreactor 600 • Ideal footprint to securely store large filled tubes • Convenient, reusable and stackable


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INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - MARCH 2011 - LABORATORY PRODUCTS


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