WIGGENS Biovac 235Plus Portable Vacuum Liquid Aspiration System
| Brand | WIGGENS |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | Biovac 235Plus |
| Ultimate Vacuum | 100 mbar |
| Max. Flow Rate | 17 L/min |
| Power Consumption | 25 W |
| Dimensions | 27 × 30 × 28 cm |
| Weight | 6.9 kg |
| Waste Bottle Capacity | 2 × 1500 mL |
| Filtration | 0.2 µm PTFE disc filter |
| Sterilization Compatibility | Autoclavable (121 °C, 20 min) |
| Pump Type | Oil-free piston vacuum pump |
Overview
The WIGGENS Biovac 235Plus Portable Vacuum Liquid Aspiration System is an engineered solution for precise, contamination-controlled liquid removal in biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, and cell culture laboratories. It operates on a robust oil-free piston vacuum principle—eliminating lubricant dependency, minimizing maintenance requirements, and ensuring consistent vacuum performance across extended operation cycles. With an ultimate vacuum level of 100 mbar and a maximum volumetric flow rate of 17 L/min, the system delivers sufficient suction power for rapid aspiration of supernatants, media, wash buffers, and enzymatic solutions without compromising sterility or sample integrity. Its compact footprint (27 × 30 × 28 cm) and integrated ergonomic design enable seamless integration into confined workspaces, including Class II biosafety cabinets and modular cleanroom setups.
Key Features
- Oil-free piston vacuum pump: Ensures zero risk of hydrocarbon contamination, eliminates routine oil changes, and supports continuous operation with low acoustic emission (<52 dB(A) at 1 m).
- Dual 1500 mL autoclavable polycarbonate waste bottles: Provide extended aspiration capacity, reduce frequency of bottle emptying, and support full traceability in GLP-compliant workflows.
- Redundant overflow protection: Combines a mechanical float valve inside each waste bottle with a certified 0.2 µm hydrophobic PTFE disc filter positioned between the bottle and pump head—preventing liquid ingress into the vacuum mechanism under overfill or sudden pressure drop conditions.
- Footswitch control: Enables hands-free, sterile operation during critical procedures such as passaging adherent cell lines or aspirating conditioned media from multiwell plates.
- Autoclavable components: Both waste bottles and the 0.2 µm PTFE filter are validated for repeated sterilization at 121 °C for 20 minutes (EN 285 compliant), supporting ISO 13485-aligned quality systems.
- Integrated thermal overload protection and current-limiting circuitry: Enhances operational safety and extends service life under variable load conditions.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Biovac 235Plus is compatible with aqueous buffers, cell culture media (including serum-containing formulations), enzymatic dissociation reagents (e.g., trypsin-EDTA), and mild disinfectants (e.g., 70% ethanol, diluted sodium hypochlorite). It is not intended for use with highly corrosive, viscous (>500 mPa·s), or volatile organic solvents (e.g., acetone, chloroform). The system complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity), and meets CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. All wetted materials—including polycarbonate bottles, silicone tubing, and PTFE filtration media—are USP Class VI tested and extractables-leachables compliant per ISO 10993-12.
Software & Data Management
As a standalone hardware device, the Biovac 235Plus does not incorporate embedded firmware or digital connectivity. Its operation remains intentionally analog and tactile—reducing failure modes associated with microcontroller-based systems and eliminating data integrity concerns related to electronic logging. This architecture aligns with laboratories maintaining paper-based SOPs or those operating under FDA 21 CFR Part 11–exempt environments where audit trails are documented manually. For facilities requiring electronic record linkage, optional third-party vacuum monitoring modules (e.g., analog 4–20 mA output adapters) may be interfaced externally via standard DIN rail mounting.
Applications
- Cell culture maintenance: Aspiration of spent media during subculturing of mammalian, insect, or stem cell lines in biosafety cabinets.
- Tissue dissociation workflows: Removal of enzymatic solutions post-incubation without disturbing pellet integrity.
- Microbiology: Decanting broth cultures, washing bacterial pellets, and clearing agar plate rinse solutions.
- Molecular biology: Vacuum-assisted transfer of lysates, column eluates, or gel electrophoresis running buffers.
- Quality control labs: High-frequency aspiration tasks in raw material testing, environmental monitoring swab processing, and sterility test filtration support.
FAQ
Is the Biovac 235Plus suitable for aspiration of ethanol or isopropanol?
No. Organic solvents may degrade polycarbonate bottles and compromise PTFE filter integrity. Only aqueous or mildly buffered solutions are recommended.
Can the system be operated continuously for more than 30 minutes?
Yes. The oil-free piston pump is rated for intermittent duty up to 60 minutes per cycle, with a 10-minute cooldown period advised between consecutive high-load operations.
What is the expected service life of the 0.2 µm PTFE filter under routine autoclaving?
When subjected to ≤50 autoclave cycles at 121 °C/20 min, the filter maintains >99.9% retention efficiency per ISO 13408-2; visual inspection for discoloration or warping is recommended prior to reuse.
Does the footswitch support momentary or latching activation?
It is configured for momentary (normally open) operation—suction activates only while depressed, enhancing procedural control and reducing accidental activation risk.
Are replacement parts available globally through WIGGENS authorized distributors?
Yes. Filter discs (W1080237), footswitches (W1080238), and spare bottles (W1080239) are stocked by regional WIGGENS partners and distributed under part numbers traceable to EN ISO 9001-certified logistics centers.
