BioVac 240 Portable Vacuum Liquid Aspiration System
| Brand | Biostream |
|---|---|
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Model | BioVac 240 |
| Ultimate Vacuum | 80 mbar |
| Maximum Flow Rate | 40 L/min |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 54 × 26 × 35 cm |
| Weight | 12 kg |
| Waste Bottle Capacity | 3000 mL |
| Filtration | 0.2 µm PTFE disc filter |
| Sterilization Compatibility | Autoclavable (121 °C, 20 min) |
Overview
The BioVac 240 Portable Vacuum Liquid Aspiration System is an engineered solution for precise, aseptic liquid removal in bioscience laboratories. Designed around a maintenance-free, oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump, the system operates on the principle of controlled negative pressure generation to aspirate culture supernatants, spent media, wash buffers, and other aqueous biological liquids without risk of oil contamination or microbial carryover. Its compact footprint and integrated ergonomic design enable seamless integration into laminar flow hoods, biosafety cabinets (Class II A2/B2), and mobile lab setups. Unlike rotary vane or piston-based systems, the BioVac 240 eliminates lubricant degradation, volatile organic emissions, and scheduled oil changes—making it compliant with ISO 14644 cleanroom compatibility requirements for Class 5–7 environments when operated within enclosed hoods.
Key Features
- Oil-free diaphragm pump architecture ensures zero hydrocarbon vapor emission and eliminates cross-contamination risks in sterile workflows.
- Dual-stage overflow protection: (1) buoy-activated float switch inside the 3000 mL autoclavable polycarbonate waste bottle; (2) inline 0.2 µm hydrophobic PTFE disc filter positioned between the bottle and pump head—preventing liquid ingress into the pump mechanism under overfill or sudden pressure fluctuation.
- Integrated footswitch enables hands-free operation during critical aseptic procedures, reducing glove contact with non-sterile surfaces and supporting ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) ergonomics.
- Full autoclave compatibility: waste bottle, suction tubing connectors, and PTFE filter housing withstand standard steam sterilization cycles (121 °C, 103 kPa, 20 min) per ISO 17665-1, enabling reuse without material fatigue or dimensional drift.
- Acoustically optimized pump enclosure maintains sound pressure levels ≤52 dB(A) at 1 m distance—meeting EU Directive 2000/14/EC noise emission limits for laboratory equipment.
- Modular suction kit includes four calibrated aspiration probes (ID: 1.2 mm, 2.3 mm, 3.4 mm, 4.0 mm) with tapered tips for differential viscosity handling—from low-viscosity PBS to high-protein conditioned media.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The BioVac 240 is validated for aspiration of aqueous biological fluids including DMEM/F12, RPMI-1640, trypsin-EDTA solutions, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and serum-containing media up to 10% FBS. It is not intended for solvents, strong acids/bases, or viscous suspensions (>200 mPa·s). All wetted components comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards and FDA 21 CFR Part 11–ready documentation support is available via optional audit-trail-enabled firmware upgrade. The system meets IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for electrical equipment used in laboratory environments and carries CE marking under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU.
Software & Data Management
While the BioVac 240 operates as a standalone analog-controlled unit, its electrical architecture supports optional digital interface modules (sold separately) for integration into LIMS or ELN ecosystems. These modules provide real-time vacuum level logging (±2 mbar accuracy), runtime metering, and event-triggered alerts for filter saturation or bottle full status—enabling GLP-compliant record retention aligned with Annex 11 and ISO/IEC 17025 traceability frameworks. Firmware updates are delivered via USB-C port with cryptographic signature verification.
Applications
- Aseptic removal of spent culture medium during adherent and suspension cell passaging in biosafety cabinets.
- High-throughput supernatant collection from multi-well plates (6–96-well) using precision tip arrays.
- Debris-free aspiration of centrifugation supernatants post-spin without disturbing pellet integrity.
- Controlled buffer exchange in primary tissue dissociation protocols requiring rapid wash steps.
- Supporting QC/QA workflows in GMP-compliant biomanufacturing suites where equipment validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) and change control documentation are mandated.
FAQ
Is the BioVac 240 suitable for use inside a Class II biosafety cabinet?
Yes—it is routinely deployed inside both A2 and B2 cabinets. Its oil-free operation and low acoustic signature prevent airflow disruption and meet NSF/ANSI 49 containment integrity requirements.
Can the PTFE filter be reused after autoclaving?
Yes—the 0.2 µm hydrophobic PTFE disc filter retains >99.99% bacterial retention efficiency (per ASTM F838-22) after up to 5 autoclave cycles; performance verification is recommended before each reuse.
What maintenance intervals are required?
No scheduled maintenance is required beyond visual inspection of tubing integrity and periodic replacement of the PTFE filter every 200 operational hours or per batch log review in regulated environments.
Does the system support vacuum level adjustment?
The BioVac 240 delivers fixed vacuum output at ≤80 mbar absolute pressure—optimized for gentle aspiration of sensitive mammalian cells without shear-induced lysis.
How is regulatory documentation provided for validation purposes?
Factory calibration certificates, material declarations (RoHS/REACH), and IQ/OQ protocol templates are supplied digitally upon order confirmation; PQ support is available through certified third-party service partners in EEA and North America.
