ROCKER BioVac225 Plus Portable Cell Culture Waste Aspiration System
| Brand | ROCKER |
|---|---|
| Origin | Taiwan |
| Model | BioVac225 Plus |
| Ultimate Vacuum | 107 mbar (≈80 mmHg) |
| Max Flow Rate | 25 L/min |
| Dimensions | 370 × 150 × 250 mm |
| Weight | 4.3 kg |
| Pump Type | Oil-Free Diaphragm |
| Overheat Protection | Yes |
| Waste Bottle Capacity | 1000 mL |
| Input Voltage | 200–240 V / 50 Hz (100–120 V / 60 Hz optional) |
| Bottle Material | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| Housing Material | ABS |
| Handheld Controller & Tip Ejectors | Polyoxymethylene (POM) |
| Hose Connector | 5/16″ (≈8 mm) OD |
| Sterilization | Autoclavable (121°C, 20 min, 1 bar) |
| Certifications | CE Marked per EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU |
Overview
The ROCKER BioVac225 Plus is a compact, oil-free diaphragm vacuum aspiration system engineered for safe, reliable, and contamination-controlled removal of biological waste liquids in cell culture and general laboratory workflows. Operating on the principle of positive displacement via a corrosion-resistant PTFE-coated diaphragm, it generates stable vacuum pressure (up to 107 mbar absolute) and delivers consistent flow rates of 25 L/min—sufficient for rapid aspiration from T-flasks, culture dishes, bioreactors, and multiwell plates without compromising sterility or sample integrity. Its portable architecture (370 × 150 × 250 mm; 4.3 kg) enables seamless integration into biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, and mobile lab environments—eliminating the need for fixed central vacuum lines while maintaining ISO Class 5–7 compatible operation when used with sterile-filtered exhaust tubing.
Key Features
- Oil-free diaphragm pump design ensures zero hydrocarbon contamination risk—critical for sensitive mammalian and stem cell cultures where residual oil vapor could impair viability or skew assay outcomes.
- Dual overflow protection: A precision-molded polycarbonate (PC) waste bottle incorporates a mechanical float valve that automatically interrupts vacuum when liquid reaches 95% capacity, preventing backflow into the pump head and safeguarding internal components.
- Autoclavable 1000 mL PC waste bottle rated for repeated sterilization at 121°C, 20 minutes, 1 bar—fully compliant with GLP/GMP environmental control requirements for reusable containment systems.
- Integrated thermal cut-off switch activates at ≥70°C surface temperature, halting operation during extended use or ambient overheating—ensuring long-term reliability under continuous duty cycles.
- Ergonomic handheld controller fabricated from medical-grade POM (polyoxymethylene), featuring tactile single- and eight-prong tip ejectors compatible with standard 200 µL and 1000 µL pipette tips—enabling rapid, one-handed disposal without cross-contamination.
- CE-certified per EN 61000-6-2 (EMC immunity) and EN 61000-6-4 (EMC emission), meeting essential safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements for deployment in regulated academic, clinical, and contract research laboratories.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The BioVac225 Plus is validated for aspiration of aqueous biological fluids including spent culture media, trypsin-EDTA solutions, PBS washes, and low-viscosity supernatants (≤10 mPa·s). It is not intended for solvents, strong acids/bases, or viscous suspensions (>50 cP). The system complies with ISO 13485-aligned manufacturing controls as implemented by ROCKER Instrument Corp. (Taiwan), and its CE marking affirms conformity with EU directives governing equipment safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and RoHS-compliant materials. For FDA-regulated environments, the autoclavable bottle and traceable serial-numbered units support 21 CFR Part 11–compatible audit trails when paired with validated digital loggers.
Software & Data Management
As a standalone analog vacuum system, the BioVac225 Plus operates without embedded firmware or proprietary software—minimizing cybersecurity exposure and eliminating validation overhead associated with electronic control systems. All operational parameters (voltage, frequency, runtime) are manually set via front-panel switches; no data logging, remote monitoring, or cloud connectivity is provided. This architecture aligns with ALCOA+ principles for paper-based or hybrid documentation workflows in non-automated labs, and supports straightforward IQ/OQ/PQ execution using vendor-supplied test protocols and calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards.
Applications
- Routine aspiration of spent media during subculturing of adherent and suspension cell lines (e.g., HEK293, CHO, Jurkat).
- Decontamination of biosafety cabinet work surfaces following microbial or viral handling procedures.
- Removal of wash buffers in ELISA, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry sample preparation pipelines.
- Supporting aseptic technique in teaching laboratories, field-deployable diagnostics units, and GMP pilot-scale cell therapy cleanrooms.
- Backup aspiration during maintenance of centralized vacuum networks—ensuring uninterrupted workflow continuity.
FAQ
Can the waste bottle be sterilized in an autoclave?
Yes—the 1000 mL polycarbonate bottle is rated for full-cycle autoclaving at 121°C, 20 minutes, 1 bar pressure, with no degradation in clarity, impact resistance, or dimensional stability after ≥50 cycles.
Is the system suitable for use inside a Class II biosafety cabinet?
Yes—its low noise profile (<52 dB(A)), compact footprint, and absence of heat-generating compressors allow safe, unobstructed operation within the working area of all major BSC models without disrupting airflow uniformity.
What maintenance is required beyond routine cleaning?
None—the oil-free diaphragm pump requires no lubrication, filter replacement, or scheduled servicing. Users should inspect O-rings annually and replace the PC bottle if microcracks or haze develop after repeated autoclaving.
Does the BioVac225 Plus meet IEC 61000-4-2 ESD immunity requirements?
It complies with EN 61000-6-2 (industrial immunity), which includes ESD testing per IEC 61000-4-2 Level 3 (±8 kV contact, ±15 kV air discharge)—validated during CE type testing.
Can the voltage be customized for North American or Japanese power grids?
Yes—ROCKER offers factory-configured variants for 100–120 V / 60 Hz (model suffix “-NA”) upon order; no field modification is possible due to integrated transformer design.
