SKC biosampler 225-9595 User manual

BioSampler®Bioaerosol Collection Device
Cat. No. 225 Series
Introduction
Description
Operating Instructions
863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA
Tel: [phone] • www.skcinc.com
Inlet section
Collection
vessel*
Nozzle section*
Figure 1. SKC BioSampler Components
BioSampler shown with 20-ml vessel (5-ml vessel available)
Outlet to pump
Inlet
3 Nozzles (sonic
orifices)
* Etched nozzle sections and collection vessels are supplied as a matched set. Use the etched identifier
to match the two components during sampler reassembly for optimal fit and performance.

2
Checking BioSampler/Kit Contents
Use the table below to verify that you received all items associated with the Cat.
No. ordered. If you are missing items, contact SKC at 800-752-8472 (U.S. only) or
724-941-9701.
If You Ordered Cat. No. Your Package Should Contain
225-9595
3-pc glass 20-ml BioSampler (inlet section, nozzle
section, and collection vessel), does not include ground
joint cap; inlet and nozzle sections are a matched set
225-9595K4
Four 3-pc glass 20-ml BioSamplers, does not include
ground joint cap; inlets and nozzle sections are each a
matched set
225-9593
3-pc glass 5-ml BioSampler (inlet section, nozzle section,
and collection vessel), does not include ground joint cap;
inlet and nozzle sections are a matched set
225-9597
3-pc glass 20-ml BioSampler, two 20-ml collection
vessels (bottoms) with ground joint caps, 1 BioSampler
case with mounting rod, and 1 ViaTrap (120 ml)
collection liquid
225-9594
3-pc glass 20-ml BioSampler, two 20-ml collection
vessels (bottoms) with ground joint caps, 1 BioSampler
case with mounting rod, 1 ViaTrap (120 ml), 1 Vac-U-Go
Sample Pump (115 V, sonic flow), reinforced tubing for
connecting pump to BioSampler, and 1 rotameter
Required Equipment/Media
• BioSampler
• Sample pump, with vacuum gauge or manometer, capable of maintaining
sonic flow, such as Vac-U-Go (Cat. No. 228-9605), supplied separately or in
kits; see Checking BioSampler/Kit Contents and Accessories/Replacement Parts
• Collection liquid or coating (see Choose a Collection Liquid/Coating)
• 3/8-inch ID silicone tubing
• 1/4-inch ID Tygon®tubing
• Liquid trap
• Pipee
• Aluminum foil or Parafilm
Tip For optimal operation and convenience, use BioSampler with the
BioSampler case and mounting rod accessories (available in BioSampler
Mini Kit Cat. No. 225-9597 and supplied in BioSampler Complete Kit
Cat. No. 225-9594).

3
Operation
Set/Calibrate Pump Flow
The BioSampler nozzle section contains three tangential 0.630-mm nozzles that
act as sonic orifices. Flow through the nozzles remains constant at approximately
12.5 L/min when used with a pump, such as the Vac-U-Go, that maintains a pressure
drop of 0.5 atmosphere (15 in Hg) or more across the sampler at normal atmospheric
conditions (sonic flow).
1. Prepare the calibration train. (Figure 2)
a. Connect the flowmeter outlet to the BioSampler inlet.
If using the rotameter supplied in Cat. No. 225-9594, use a length of 3/8-inch ID
silicone tubing to connect the rotameter outlet to the BioSampler inlet.
b. Connect the BioSampler outlet to the sample pump inlet.
2. Use the valve adjust on the pump to achieve sonic flow (vacuum gauge or
manometer indicates between 15 and 30 inches Hg vacuum).
3. Observe the flow rate indicated on the flowmeter and record as QsL/min (to
be used to calculate sample volume).
Calibration Note
If pump flow rate changes by ± 5% between the baseline calibration (first calibration
when sampler is new) and subsequent calibrations, it may indicate a broken or clogged
nozzle. Replace the nozzle section of the BioSampler and re-calibrate. The new calibrated
flow rate (with replacement nozzle section) will likely differ slightly from previous
calibrations (each BioSampler has a unique flow rate that is approximately 12.5 L/min).
Use this new flow rate as the new baseline flow rate for this sampler.
Figure 2. Calibration Train
2
5
10
15
20
LPM AIR
5
10
15
20
25
30
ASHCROFT®
InHg
vac
Air Sampler
Cat. No. 228-9605
SKC Inc. Eighty Four, PA
Tubing
Vacuum gauge Inlet
Outlet
Inlet
BioSampler
Sample Pump
(Vac-U-Go shown)
Tubing Inlet
Valve adjust Rotameter

4
Prepare the BioSampler Collection Vessel
Before sampling, sterilize the BioSampler, choose a collection liquid or coating, and
fill or coat the collection vessel as follows.
Sterilize the BioSampler
Sterilize the inlet, nozzle section, collection vessel, and ground joint cap in
an autoclave or oven heated within a range of 320 to 356 F (160 to 180 C) for 180
to 240 minutes before each use. This form of sterilization will kill bacteria, fungi,
and DNA.
To prevent fritted joints from sticking together during heating, disassemble
sampler components (three pieces) before placing them in autoclave or oven.
During reassembly, match the etched identifier on nozzle section with the
identifier on collection vessels for optimal fit and performance.
Choose a Collection Liquid/Coating
BioSampler can be used for short-term and long-term sampling. See the following
table for recommended collection liquids and coatings based on the desired sample
time. Contact the laboratory for specific requirements, including sterilization.
Desired Sampling Time Recommended
Liquid/Coating
Notes/Cautions
Shorter than 30 minutes
(with liquid)
Sterile distilled water,
physiological saline,
phosphate buffered saline
(PBS), nutrient broth, or
peptone water
Do not use water or water-
based liquids for sampling
periods longer than 30
minutes or for collecting
hydrophobic particles such
as fungal spores. Contact
laboratory for specific
requirements.
Shorter than 30 minutes
(with coating)
Petroleum jelly/hexane
solution coating
Do not use this method for
sampling periods longer
than 30 minutes.
Longer than 30 minutes Non-evaporating liquid
such as ViaTrap mineral oil
or glycerol
Note: ViaTrap®mineral oil
requires sterilization before
use. See Note in Fill or
Coat the Collection Vessel
 Collection efficiency
remains virtually
constant during 8-hour
sampling period.
 Glycerol is not
recommended for
viable microorganism
collection; it can cause
microorganisms to die
from osmotic pressure.
 ViaTrap may not
be suitable for PCR
analysis.

5
Fill or Coat the Collection Vessel
1. Fill the collection vessel with collection liquid. You will need:
• Sterilized collection vessel(s)
• Pipee
• Sterile collection liquid (can include, but is not limited to, sterile distilled
water, physiological saline, PBS, nutrient broth, or peptone water)
• Aluminum foil or Parafilm
If using ViaTrap mineral oil as the collection liquid, sterilize it by filtering it through a
0.4-μm pore size sterile polycarbonate membrane filter. Do NOT autoclave ViaTrap;
heating the oil will make it cloudy.
a. In a sterile environment, aseptically pipet the appropriate amount of sterilized
collection liquid into the sterilized collection vessel.
If using a viscous liquid, such as ViaTrap or glycerol, pipet less than 20 ml of
viscous liquid into the 20-ml collection vessel (< 4 ml inside a 5-ml collection
vessel) to prevent overflow of liquid outside the sampler.
b. In the same sterile environment, assemble the clean, sterilized inlet, nozzle
section, and filled collection vessel.
c. Temporarily seal sampler inlet and outlet with aluminum foil or Parafilm to
maintain sterility.
2. Coat the collection vessel. You will need:
• Sterilized collection vessel(s)
• Pipee
• Sterile solution for coating (can include, but is not limited to, petroleum
jelly/hexane solution)
• Aluminum foil or Parafilm
a. In a sterile environment, prepare coating solution. Note: SKC recommends
using a petroleum jelly/hexane solution (approximately 0.1 gram petroleum jelly
per milliliter of hexane).
b. Aseptically pipet a few drops of solution into the collection vessel and rotate
it so that its entire inner surface is weed. Ensure the coating covers the
region where the air jets impact the inner surface of the collection vessel. The
hexane will evaporate within five minutes, leaving a uniform sticky layer on
the inner surface of the collection vessel.
If using the petroleum jelly/hexane solution, the hexane will evaporate within five
minutes, leaving a uniform sticky layer on the inner surface of the collection vessel.
Alternative coatings can be used.
c. In the same sterile environment, assemble the clean, sterilized inlet, nozzle
section, and coated collection vessel.
d. Temporarily seal sampler inlet and outlet with aluminum foil or Parafilm to
maintain sterility.