SKC BioSampler® Liquid Impaction Air Microbial Sampler

Overview

The SKC BioSampler® is a precision-engineered, all-glass liquid impaction air microbial sampler designed for high-efficiency collection of viable and non-viable bioaerosols—including Legionella pneumophila, bacteria, fungi, viruses, endotoxins, mycotoxins, and pollen—directly into a liquid medium. Unlike dry-impact or filter-based samplers, the BioSampler® employs a hydrodynamic impaction principle: aerosol-laden air is accelerated through three precisely angled tangential nozzles, directing particles onto the surface of a collection liquid (e.g., water or ViaTrap® mineral oil) with minimal rebound and mechanical stress. This method preserves microbial viability and structural integrity, enabling downstream analysis requiring live-cell recovery, enzymatic activity, or nucleic acid integrity. Its design conforms to the physical principles of inertial impaction as defined in ISO 14698-1 (Biocontamination control) and aligns with U.S. CDC/NIOSH recommendations for Legionella surveillance in healthcare and building water systems.

Key Features

• Triple-tangential nozzle geometry minimizes particle bounce and enhances retention efficiency for respirable bioaerosols (≤10 µm aerodynamic diameter)
• Borosilicate glass construction ensures chemical inertness, thermal stability, and full autoclavability (121°C, 15 psi, 20 min) for repeated sterile use
• No internal baffles or porous surfaces—eliminates adsorption losses and cross-contamination risks inherent in solid-impact samplers
• Optimized for sonic-flow operation at 12.5 L/min using the SKC BioLite® pump, maintaining laminar-to-turbulent transition critical for consistent impaction velocity
• Compatible with low-volatility, non-evaporative collection media such as ViaTrap® mineral oil—enables stable 8-hour continuous sampling without medium depletion or viscosity drift
• Modular three-piece design (inlet, body, collection vessel) facilitates rapid assembly, cleaning, and validation traceability per GLP/GMP documentation requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BioSampler® collects analytes into liquid phase, supporting five orthogonal analytical modalities: (1) culture-based enumeration (ISO 11731-2 for Legionella), (2) direct epifluorescence microscopy (EFM), (3) enzymatic assays (e.g., Limulus Amebocyte Lysate for endotoxin), (4) immunoassays (ELISA), and (5) molecular detection (qPCR, RT-qPCR). Its performance has been validated against ASTM D5755–22 (Standard Test Method for Determining Collection Efficiency of Aerosol Samplers) and referenced in ASHRAE Guideline 12–2020 for HVAC-associated pathogen monitoring. The device meets criteria for use in FDA-regulated environmental monitoring programs where sample integrity, chain-of-custody, and audit-ready documentation are required under 21 CFR Part 11-compliant workflows.

Software & Data Management

While the BioSampler® itself is a passive, hardware-only collection device, its integration into regulated workflows relies on complementary digital tools. When paired with the SKC BioLite® pump, real-time flow logging (±2% accuracy), cumulative volume tracking, and timestamped event records are exported via USB or Bluetooth to SKC’s AirCheck® Smart software. This enables automated generation of ALCOA+ compliant reports (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate), including calibration certificates, sampling logs, and maintenance histories—all essential for ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories and EPA Method TO-11A-aligned studies.

Applications

• Healthcare facility water system surveillance for Legionella pneumophila in cooling towers, potable water outlets, and respiratory therapy equipment
• Pharmaceutical cleanroom environmental monitoring per EU GMP Annex 1 and PDA Technical Report No. 13
• Indoor air quality assessment in schools, offices, and elderly care facilities during outbreak investigations
• Research on bioaerosol transport dynamics, viral stability in humidified air, and fungal spore dispersal kinetics
• Validation of HVAC filtration efficiency and disinfection system efficacy (e.g., UV-C, bipolar ionization)

FAQ

What collection media are recommended for optimal viability recovery?
ViaTrap® mineral oil is preferred for extended sampling (up to 8 h) due to its low volatility and non-toxicity to microorganisms; sterile deionized water may be used for short-term (<2 h), culture-dependent analyses.
Can the BioSampler® be used with non-SKC pumps?
Yes—provided the pump delivers stable, pulse-free flow at 12.5 L/min with backpressure tolerance ≥25 cm H₂O; compatibility must be verified via flow calibration with a primary standard (e.g., bubble meter or certified mass flowmeter).
Is the BioSampler® suitable for virus collection?
Empirical studies confirm efficient capture of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses (e.g., influenza A, MS2 bacteriophage) when using chilled collection media and minimizing post-sampling hold time.
How is sterility maintained between sampling events?
All glass components withstand standard autoclaving cycles; post-sterilization drying under laminar flow and storage in sealed, low-particulate containers is required to prevent recontamination.
Does the device require regulatory certification for clinical use?
The BioSampler® is a Class I exempt medical device (FDA 21 CFR 892.1000) and carries CE marking per MDR 2017/745 for in vitro diagnostic sample collection; it is not intended for direct patient diagnosis but for environmental specimen acquisition.