FTA-1 Benchtop Waste Liquid Collector

Overview

The FTA-1 Benchtop Waste Liquid Collector is an engineered solution for controlled, low-vacuum aspiration of residual liquids in molecular biology and cell culture workflows. Designed around a regulated negative pressure system (−500 mbar), it operates on the principle of gentle vacuum-assisted fluid removal—avoiding aerosol generation, sample splashing, or membrane rupture during sensitive post-purification steps. Unlike high-vacuum aspirators, the FTA-1’s low-pressure architecture ensures compatibility with biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, and CO₂ incubators without compromising environmental containment or sterility integrity. Its primary function is the targeted collection of ethanol, isopropanol, wash buffers, and supernatants from microcentrifuge tubes, spin columns, and culture vessels—particularly after nucleic acid isolation (e.g., silica-membrane-based DNA/RNA purification) or polymer precipitation protocols. The integrated 12 V DC brushless pump delivers stable, pulse-free suction, minimizing mechanical stress on delicate biological samples and reducing operator fatigue during repetitive aspiration tasks.

Key Features

• Integrated, maintenance-free 12 V DC brushless vacuum pump with thermal overload protection and silent operation (<45 dB(A))
• 1 L polypropylene collection bottle with calibrated volume markings and leak-proof threaded cap
• Hydrophobic microbial filter (0.027 µm pore size, ≥99.9% retention efficiency for bacteria and mycoplasma) positioned between pump and bottle to prevent cross-contamination and protect pump integrity
• Benchtop-optimized footprint (W × D × H ≈ 180 × 140 × 220 mm) enabling placement inside biosafety cabinets (Class II A2/B2) and incubators (up to 40 °C ambient)
• Dual-tip holder standard; optional 8-channel adapter available for parallel aspiration from multiwell plates (96-well, 384-well)
• Polyethylene (PE) aspiration tubing (ID 4 mm, OD 6 mm) included—chemically resistant to alcohols, chaotropic salts, and common aqueous buffers
• No external vacuum line required; powered via included universal AC/DC adapter (input: 100–240 V AC, output: 12 V DC)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FTA-1 is validated for use with standard molecular biology consumables including 0.5–2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes, spin-column assemblies, and tissue culture flasks (T25–T75). It accommodates both aqueous and organic solvent residues (e.g., 70% ethanol, 100% isopropanol, guanidine hydrochloride solutions) without degradation of wetted components. All contact materials comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards. While not classified as a medical device, its design supports Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited environments through traceable performance documentation, filter lot traceability, and non-sterile but cleanable/reusable construction. Filter replacement intervals are defined per usage volume (recommended after ≤50 L total aspirated volume or every 3 months under routine lab conditions) to maintain filtration integrity.

Software & Data Management

The FTA-1 is a standalone, hardware-only instrument with no embedded firmware or digital interface. It requires no software installation, driver configuration, or network connectivity—reducing cybersecurity exposure and simplifying validation in regulated settings (e.g., clinical diagnostics labs operating under CLIA or CAP requirements). Vacuum pressure is fixed at −500 mbar and not user-adjustable, eliminating calibration drift or parameter misconfiguration risks. Maintenance logs (filter replacement date, bottle cleaning frequency) are manually recorded per institutional SOPs. For laboratories requiring audit trails, integration with electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) such as LabArchives or Benchling can be achieved via manual entry of usage timestamps and consumable batch numbers.

Applications

• Removal of residual ethanol or isopropanol from silica-membrane spin columns following DNA/RNA binding, wash, and elution steps
• Aspiration of supernatant after centrifugal precipitation of polysaccharides, proteins, or synthetic polymers
• Gentle detachment and suspension of adherent mammalian cells using enzymatic (e.g., trypsin-EDTA) or non-enzymatic dissociation buffers
• Buffer exchange and medium replacement in low-volume suspension cultures (e.g., primary neurons, hybridomas)
• Debris clearance from gel electrophoresis combs and casting trays prior to polymerization
• Drainage of excess liquid from blotting membranes post-transfer in Western or Southern hybridization workflows

FAQ

Can the FTA-1 be used inside a CO₂ incubator?

Yes—the unit operates passively at ambient temperatures up to 40 °C and draws only 12 V DC power, making it compatible with standard incubator electrical feedthroughs when paired with an external power supply outside the chamber.
Is the hydrophobic filter sterilizable?

No—filters are single-use, non-sterilizable components. Pre-sterilized filters are not supplied; aseptic technique must be applied during installation if working under sterile conditions.
What is the expected service life of the integrated pump?

Rated for >20,000 hours of continuous operation under nominal load; typical lab usage (≤2 hrs/day) supports >10-year functional longevity.
Does the FTA-1 meet regulatory requirements for GMP environments?

While not certified for GMP manufacturing, its material compliance, filter validation data, and absence of software make it suitable for supporting GMP-aligned QC/QA workflows where documented maintenance and traceable consumables are enforced.
Can I connect multiple collection bottles in series?

No—serial connection is not supported. The system is designed for single-bottle operation to ensure consistent vacuum delivery and prevent backpressure-induced filter bypass.