ROCKER BioVac 620 Six-Position Stainless Steel Vacuum Filtration Manifold

Overview

The ROCKER BioVac 620 is a six-position vacuum filtration manifold engineered for high-integrity liquid processing in regulated life science laboratories. Designed around Couette-flow–optimized vacuum distribution architecture, it enables parallel, independent filtration across six discrete channels—each governed by a dedicated SUS316 stainless steel valve assembly. Unlike polymer-based manifolds, the fully metallic construction eliminates leachable organics, outgassing, and dimensional creep under thermal stress, making it suitable for applications requiring repeated sterilization via autoclaving (121 °C, 20 min), dry heat (180 °C), or saturated steam exposure. Its modular interface—standardized to #8 silicone stoppers—ensures mechanical compatibility with commercially available PES, PVDF, nylon, and mixed-cellulose ester (MCE) filter funnels from leading global suppliers (e.g., Corning, Pall, Sartorius, Thermo Fisher). The system operates within standard laboratory vacuum ranges (typically −85 to −95 kPa), delivering consistent flow rates across all positions without cross-channel pressure coupling.

Key Features

• Full-body construction from ASTM A240-certified SUS316 stainless steel—including manifold body, individual control valves, lever handles, and inlet/outlet fittings—ensuring resistance to chloride-induced pitting and passivation stability in aggressive solvents and biological buffers.
• Six independently actuated quarter-turn valves with tactile feedback and positive mechanical lock, enabling selective channel activation without interrupting ongoing filtrations on adjacent positions.
• Integrated hose barb ports sized for 8 mm inner diameter vacuum tubing (5/16 in.), minimizing flow restriction and ensuring secure, leak-tight connections under sustained negative pressure.
• Flat-bottom base design with anti-slip rubber feet and precision-machined mounting surfaces, supporting stable placement on fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, or laminar flow workstations.
• No internal gaskets or elastomeric seals in fluid path—eliminating potential sources of extractables and simplifying cleaning validation per ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820 requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BioVac 620 supports filtration of aqueous, organic, and mildly acidic/basic solutions across pH 2–12. It is routinely deployed in microbial enumeration (ISO 7218, USP ), environmental water testing (EPA Method 1603), pharmaceutical sterility assurance (USP ), and bioprocess clarification workflows. All wetted components comply with FDA 21 CFR 178.3570 (indirect food additives) and EU Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004. The absence of plastics in critical zones facilitates full traceability under GMP/GLP audit conditions and eliminates concerns related to endotoxin carryover or adsorptive loss of low-concentration analytes.

Software & Data Management

As a standalone passive vacuum manifold, the BioVac 620 requires no embedded firmware, drivers, or software. This analog architecture ensures zero cybersecurity exposure, eliminates firmware update dependencies, and guarantees long-term operational continuity—critical for validated QC environments where change control documentation must be minimized. Process records (e.g., filtration start/stop times, operator ID, lot numbers of filters and samples) are maintained externally in paper-based or LIMS-integrated electronic batch records compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with qualified data capture systems.

Applications

• Membrane filtration for colony-forming unit (CFU) enumeration in drinking water, wastewater, and pharmaceutical water systems.
• Pre-filtration of cell culture supernatants prior to HPLC or mass spectrometry analysis.
• Clarification of fermentation broths and protein purification intermediates under cGMP conditions.
• Particulate removal from reagent-grade solvents and buffer stock solutions in analytical chemistry labs.
• High-throughput sample preparation for ELISA, PCR, and next-generation sequencing library construction workflows.

FAQ

Can the BioVac 620 be autoclaved? Why is SUS316 essential for this capability?
Yes—the entire manifold, including valves and handles, is rated for repeated autoclaving at 121 °C for 20 minutes. SUS316 contains 2–3% molybdenum, significantly enhancing resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion during steam exposure compared to SUS304, thereby preserving dimensional integrity and valve torque performance over >500 cycles.
What filter funnel sizes are compatible?
The #8 silicone stopper interface accommodates standard 25 mm, 47 mm, and 90 mm diameter funnels; common configurations include 300 mL PES (e.g., catalog #197000-01LF) and 500 mL PVDF units.
Is validation support documentation available?
ROCKER provides material certification (EN 10204 3.1), dimensional inspection reports, and sterilization cycle validation templates aligned with ISO 13485 Annex C for user-specific IQ/OQ execution.
Does the manifold include vacuum tubing or filters?
No—tubing, filters, and funnels are ordered separately to allow lab-specific selection based on pore size, membrane chemistry, and regulatory requirements.
How is maintenance performed under GLP conditions?
Routine cleaning involves immersion in 70% ethanol or 0.5% sodium hydroxide, followed by deionized water rinse and air drying; no lubricants or consumable seals are required—reducing qualification burden.