Databiosci ASG-C ISO 3308 Cigarette Smoke Generator
| Brand | Databiosci |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tianjin, China |
| Model | ASG-C |
| Compliance | ISO 3308:2012, CIR |
| Automation Level | Semi-Automatic |
| Ignition Type | Flameless (2 s) |
| Dilution Flow Rate | Up to 10 L/min |
| Dilution Ratio | 3–50% |
| Puff Volume Range | 3–150 mL |
| Puff Interval | ≥4.2 s/puff |
| Sample Capacity | 2 cigarettes (standard) |
| Material | Corrosion-Resistant Pathways (e.g., electropolished stainless steel, PTFE-lined) |
| Software | ecSoft v3.x (standalone or integrated with eComa platform) |
| Regulatory Conformance | FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (audit trail, electronic signature, user access control) |
Overview
The Databiosci ASG-C ISO 3308 Cigarette Smoke Generator is a semi-automated, laboratory-grade exposure system engineered for reproducible generation of mainstream cigarette smoke under standardized puffing regimes defined in ISO 3308:2012 and the Core Intake Regime (CIR). It operates on the principle of controlled, sequential puffing—drawing precise volumes of smoke through a lit cigarette at programmable intervals—followed by immediate dilution and delivery into downstream exposure modules. Designed specifically for inhalation toxicology research, the ASG-C delivers high-fidelity smoke aerosols with minimal transport loss, enabling physiologically relevant dosimetry in whole-body or nose-only animal exposure chambers, air–liquid interface (ALI) cell culture systems, and analytical sampling trains. Its compact footprint, corrosion-resistant flow path, and flameless ignition mechanism ensure operational safety, long-term stability, and compatibility with stringent GLP-compliant workflows.
Key Features
- Flameless ignition system achieving consistent cigarette lighting within ≤2 seconds, eliminating open-flame hazards and thermal variability.
- Optimized aerosol transit path: shortest possible distance from filter tip to outlet port reduces residence time, minimizes wall deposition, and preserves volatile organic compound (VOC) and particulate phase integrity.
- Corrosion-resistant wetted materials—including electropolished 316L stainless steel and PTFE-sealed valves—resist adsorption of acidic and alkaline smoke constituents and facilitate rapid cleaning between runs.
- Dual-standard compliance: preconfigured puffing protocols for ISO 3308 (35 mL puff volume, 60 s interval, 2 s duration) and CIR (55 mL, 30 s interval), plus fully customizable puff parameters (volume: 3–150 mL; interval: 10–120 s; duration: 1–5 s).
- Integrated dilution control delivering stable, metered airflow up to 10 L/min, enabling precise modulation of smoke concentration (dilution ratio: 3–50%) without altering puff mechanics.
- Semi-automated operation: manual cigarette loading into dual-position holder or optional high-capacity magazine (50 positions, expandable to 350), followed by full-cycle automation including ignition, puffing, exhaust purging, and inter-puff stabilization.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ASG-C supports conventional combustible cigarettes (standardized or research-grade), as well as modified tobacco products via interchangeable mouthpiece adapters—enabling adaptation for e-cigarette aerosol generation and heated tobacco product (HTP) emissions testing. All hardware and software components comply with ISO/IEC 17025 traceability requirements for calibration documentation. The system meets essential safety provisions outlined in IEC 61000-6-4 (EMC) and IEC 61010-1 (electrical safety). Full conformance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 is implemented via ecSoft’s role-based user authentication, immutable audit trails, electronic signatures for protocol approval and data export, and secure data archiving—supporting regulatory submissions and GxP audits.
Software & Data Management
ecSoft v3.x provides a validated, intuitive graphical interface for real-time monitoring and parameter configuration. Key functions include live display of cumulative puff count, total smoke volume, elapsed/experiment time, dilution setpoint, and active puffing rule. All experimental metadata—including operator ID, date/time stamp, cigarette batch ID, and environmental sensor readings (temperature, relative humidity, static pressure)—are embedded in each exported dataset (.csv or .xlsx). ecSoft operates as a standalone controller or integrates natively with the eComa exposure management platform, enabling synchronized triggering of animal chamber ventilation cycles, ALI exposure timing, and real-time feedback from aerosol monitors (e.g., SMPS, APS, CO analyzers). Raw data logs are stored in encrypted local repositories with configurable retention policies aligned with institutional data governance frameworks.
Applications
- Preclinical inhalation toxicology: generation of reproducible smoke exposures for subchronic and chronic rodent studies per OECD TG 412 and 413.
- Air–liquid interface (ALI) culture: delivery of physiologically relevant smoke doses to differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (e.g., BEAS-2B, primary HBECs) for mechanistic studies of oxidative stress, ciliotoxicity, and barrier dysfunction.
- Analytical method development: reference aerosol source for GC-MS, HPLC-UV, and ion chromatography quantification of nicotine, tar, carbonyls, nitrosamines (TSNAs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- Comparative product assessment: side-by-side evaluation of combustion-derived vs. aerosolized emissions from e-cigarettes and HTPs under harmonized puffing conditions.
- Environmental simulation: controlled recreation of secondhand smoke (SHS) or thirdhand smoke (THS) residue formation dynamics in chamber-based deposition studies.
FAQ
Does the ASG-C support fully automated cigarette loading?
No—the ASG-C is semi-automated: cigarettes are manually loaded into the dual-position holder or optional magazine; all subsequent steps (ignition, puffing, dilution, purge) execute automatically.
Can ecSoft data be exported in formats compatible with statistical analysis software?
Yes—export options include timestamped CSV and Excel (.xlsx) files with column headers mapped to ISO-defined metadata fields, ensuring direct import into R, Python (pandas), SAS, or GraphPad Prism.
Is the ASG-C suitable for use with radioactive or highly toxic cigarette analogues?
The system may be operated inside a certified fume hood or negative-pressure glovebox; however, integration with radiological containment or HEPA-filtered exhaust manifolds requires site-specific engineering validation and is not supplied as standard.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal aerosol fidelity?
Daily visual inspection of mouthpiece seals and filter integrity; weekly cleaning of the smoke pathway using isopropanol and nitrogen purge; quarterly calibration verification of mass flow controllers and pressure sensors using NIST-traceable standards.
How does the ASG-C handle inter-lab protocol transferability?
ecSoft enables export of complete puffing method files (.ecm), including all timing, volume, and dilution settings—ensuring identical experimental conditions across distributed research sites when paired with identical hardware configurations and environmental controls.
