Coriolis® μ Liquid-Based Bioaerosol Sampler

Overview

The Coriolis® μ Liquid-Based Bioaerosol Sampler is a high-flow, wetted-wall cyclonic air sampler engineered for quantitative, culture-independent collection of airborne microorganisms and submicron bioaerosols—including viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, pollen, and endotoxins. Unlike impactor or filter-based samplers, the Coriolis® μ employs a continuous liquid film lining the inner wall of a rotating conical chamber. As ambient air is drawn tangentially into the chamber at controlled high flow rates (100–300 L/min), inertial impaction and centrifugal sedimentation drive particles toward the wetted surface, where they are immediately captured and concentrated into a defined volume (10–15 mL) of collection liquid—typically sterile water, buffer, or preservative solution. This physical principle ensures minimal particle bounce, re-aerosolization, or desiccation stress, preserving biological integrity and viability for downstream molecular, enzymatic, or immunological assays.

Key Features

• High-flow cyclonic sampling: Sustained flow rates from 100 to 300 L/min (adjustable in 50 L/min increments) enable efficient capture of ultrafine aerosols down to <0.5 µm d₅₀, including virions and fragmented bioparticles.
• Liquid-phase sample output: All collected material is eluted directly into a standardized 15 mL volume, eliminating post-sampling extraction steps and enabling immediate compatibility with rapid microbiological methods (RMMs).
• Extended-duration capability: With the optional Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) module, sampling can be programmed for up to 6 hours—ideal for time-integrated exposure assessment in occupational, environmental, or clinical settings.
• Robust operational envelope: Certified for continuous use across 0–50 °C and ≤95% RH, supporting deployment in diverse field conditions—from cold-chain logistics facilities to tropical livestock barns.
• Traceable decontamination protocol: Internal surfaces are compatible with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) vapor sterilization, facilitating rapid turnaround between sampling events under GLP or GMP-aligned workflows.
• Integrated flow control & monitoring: Real-time mass flow measurement with ±2% accuracy ensures compliance with ISO 14698-1 validation requirements for bioaerosol sampling reproducibility.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Coriolis® μ delivers samples in aqueous suspension, making it inherently compatible with non-culture-based analytical platforms. Validated applications include ATP bioluminescence (for total viable biomass), solid-phase cytometry (SPC), fluorescent microscopy (with DAPI or antibody labeling), quantitative PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) for pathogen detection, and immunoassays (e.g., ELISA) for allergen quantification. Its performance has been independently verified by the UK Health Protection Agency (now UKHSA) against ISO 14698-1 using agar plate and membrane filtration reference methods. The instrument bears CE marking per EU Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC), 2014/35/EU (LVD), and carries UL and CEM certifications for electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility. While not intrinsically rated for hazardous locations, its design supports integration into ISO Class 5–8 cleanrooms and FDA-regulated manufacturing environments when operated within documented SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The Coriolis® μ operates via an embedded microcontroller with programmable sampling parameters—flow rate, duration, delay start, and cycle repetition—accessible through a tactile keypad and LCD interface. No proprietary software is required for basic operation; however, optional PC-based configuration and logging tools support CSV export of timestamped flow logs, runtime diagnostics, and user-defined metadata tagging. Audit trails are maintained locally on-device memory for up to 1,000 sampling events, satisfying foundational requirements for 21 CFR Part 11–aligned data integrity in regulated laboratories. Raw data files may be imported into LIMS or statistical analysis platforms (e.g., R, Python pandas) without format conversion.

Applications

• Public health surveillance: Monitoring airborne transmission risks in hospitals, airports, schools, and congregate living facilities.
• Occupational hygiene: Assessing bioaerosol exposure in pharmaceutical cleanrooms, food processing lines, composting facilities, and veterinary clinics.
• Environmental research: Characterizing natural bioaerosol loads in forests, agricultural fields, coastal zones, and urban atmospheres.
• Industrial hygiene validation: Verifying HVAC system efficacy, containment integrity during aseptic processing, and biosafety cabinet performance.
• Biodefense & emerging pathogen readiness: Supporting rapid-response sampling protocols for outbreak investigation and environmental forensics.

FAQ

What is the significance of d₅₀ < 0.5 µm in bioaerosol sampling?
The d₅₀ value represents the aerodynamic diameter at which 50% of incident particles are collected. A d₅₀ below 0.5 µm indicates high efficiency for respirable-range pathogens—including influenza virions (~0.1 µm) and SARS-CoV-2 (~0.12 µm)—critical for accurate exposure assessment.
Can the Coriolis® μ be used for regulatory compliance testing?
Yes. Its ISO 14698-1 validation, CE/UL certification, and traceable flow metrology support use in GLP studies and quality-controlled environments governed by EU GMP Annex 1 or USP . However, method-specific validation per application remains the user’s responsibility.
Is the 15 mL collection volume fixed or adjustable?
The standard operating volume is fixed at 15 mL to prevent over-dilution or overflow during extended runs. Volumes as low as 10 mL may be used with modified protocols, but this requires recalibration of recovery efficiency and is not covered under factory validation.
How is carryover minimized between samples?
Carryover is mitigated through the combination of liquid-phase collection (no residual dry deposit), H₂O₂-compatible internal surfaces, and automated rinse cycles using sterile collection fluid prior to each sampling event.
Does the instrument require external power for extended operation?
The internal Li-ion battery supports ~1 hour of continuous sampling at 300 L/min. For multi-hour deployments, the optional AC adapter or external power bank (via USB-C) is recommended to maintain uninterrupted operation.