Rocker LF31 Filtration Bottle Assembly

Overview

The Rocker LF31 Filtration Bottle Assembly is a modular, laboratory-grade vacuum filtration system engineered for high-efficiency, repeatable, and contamination-controlled sample processing in life science and bioprocessing workflows. Designed around a gravity- and vacuum-assisted dead-end filtration principle, the LF31 integrates precision-engineered components—including a PES funnel, borosilicate glass receiving bottle, and optimized flow-path geometry—to ensure consistent throughput, minimal membrane clogging, and reliable sterility maintenance. Its construction supports routine autoclaving at 121°C for 20 minutes (validated up to 180°C short-term), making it suitable for applications requiring stringent aseptic handling, such as microbial assay preparation, buffer clarification, and pre-sterilization of culture media. The system operates without external clamps or complex fastening mechanisms, relying instead on Rocker’s proprietary twist-lock coupling (Patent No. M381450), which ensures leak-tight sealing under vacuum pressures up to −0.95 bar while enabling rapid assembly and disassembly.

Key Features

• Polyethersulfone (PES) Funnel Construction: Injection-molded from medical-grade PES, offering exceptional thermal stability (autoclavable at 121°C; short-term resistance to 180°C), chemical compatibility with aqueous and mild organic solvents, and low protein binding—critical for sensitive biological samples.
• Twist-Lock Coupling Mechanism (Patent M381450): A single 90° rotation secures the funnel base to the receiving bottle, eliminating reliance on metal clamps or O-rings and reducing cross-contamination risk during repeated use.
• Optimized Flow Path Design: The PP membrane support pad features radial micro-channeling that enhances laminar flow distribution across the 47 mm filter surface (12.5 cm² effective area), increasing filtration velocity by up to 35% compared to flat-surface supports under identical vacuum conditions.
• Integrated Drain Valve System: A built-in, top-access drain port on the 1000 mL borosilicate glass receiving bottle allows waste liquid evacuation without disassembling the filtration train—minimizing operator exposure and preserving sterile integrity.
• Reinforced Magnetic Base Assembly: A weighted neodymium magnet housing provides stable positioning on stainless steel work surfaces, preventing accidental tipping during vacuum operation or pipetting adjacent to the setup.
• Tubing Interface Protection: Reinforced strain-relief collars at all hose barb connections prevent kinking or fracture of 8 mm ID vacuum tubing during installation or pressure cycling.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LF31 system accommodates standard 47 mm and 50 mm diameter membranes—including mixed cellulose ester (MCE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), nylon, and PES—with pore sizes ranging from 0.1 µm to 5.0 µm. It is routinely deployed in ISO 13485-certified quality control labs for environmental monitoring, USP sterility testing, and ASTM D1193 Type II water validation. When used with 0.2 µm PES syringe filters (included in kit configuration 194225-01), the assembly meets microbiological retention requirements per ISO 8573-7 for compressed air testing and EU GMP Annex 1 environmental sampling protocols. All wetted materials comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards and are free of detectable endotoxins (<0.03 EU/mL) when sterilized per validated cycle parameters.

Software & Data Management

As a manually operated, non-electronic filtration platform, the LF31 requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. However, its standardized component dimensions (e.g., 47 mm filter interface, 8 mm tubing ports) ensure full compatibility with Rocker’s vacuum pump controllers (e.g., RP-1000 series) equipped with digital pressure logging and GLP-compliant audit trails (21 CFR Part 11 compliant via optional Rocker LabLink™ software). Documentation packages include material traceability certificates, autoclave validation summaries, and third-party extractables testing reports (per USP ), supporting regulatory submissions under FDA, EMA, and PMDA frameworks.

Applications

• Microbiological analysis: Membrane filtration of water, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics per USP , EP 2.6.27, and JP 4.06.
• Clarification of cell culture supernatants and fermentation broths prior to downstream chromatography or ultrafiltration.
• Pre-filtration of HPLC mobile phases and LC-MS solvents to remove particulates and protect analytical columns.
• Environmental monitoring: Air and surface sampling using impingers and filter cassettes in cleanroom qualification (ISO 14644-1).
• Quality control of injectables and ophthalmic solutions where particulate matter limits are governed by USP .

FAQ

Can the LF31 funnel be autoclaved repeatedly without degradation?
Yes—the PES upper cup and PC base maintain dimensional stability and mechanical integrity after ≥50 cycles of saturated steam sterilization at 121°C, 15 psi, 20 min, as verified per ISO 11140-1 accelerated aging tests.
Is the 1000 mL receiving bottle resistant to hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide solutions?
The borosilicate glass body exhibits excellent resistance to 1 M HCl and 1 M NaOH at room temperature; prolonged exposure above 60°C is not recommended without prior compatibility verification.
Does the magnetic base interfere with nearby electronic balances or pipette controllers?
No—the neodymium magnet is fully shielded within an AISI 304 stainless steel housing, producing negligible external field strength (<0.5 mT at 5 cm distance), well below IEC 61326-1 immunity thresholds.
What is the maximum recommended vacuum pressure for continuous operation?
The system is rated for sustained operation at −0.95 bar (95 kPa) absolute pressure; exceeding this may compromise seal integrity of the silicone stopper or cause premature fatigue of the PES funnel wall.
Are replacement parts available separately for GLP traceability?
Yes—each component (e.g., 197000-34 PES funnel cup, 167300-08 drain bottle) carries individual lot numbers and comes with CoA documentation, enabling full chain-of-custody tracking in regulated environments.