vacuum debris collectors in cryostats

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From:Ian Montgomery <ian.montgomery@bio.gla.ac.uk>
To:histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Reply-To:
Date:Tue, 24 Aug 1999 09:04:06 +0000
Content-Type:text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 12:24:07 -0400
>From: "Instrumedics, Inc." <info@instrumedics.com>
>Subject: vacuum debris collectors in cryostats
>To: "HistoNet Server" <HistoNet@pathology.swmed.edu>
>Mime-Version: 1.0
>
>Dear Histonetters,
>Several people have raised questions of concern about the safety of cryostat
>vacuum systems. Instrumedics had the very same concerns when it developed
>the Cryo-Vac-Away vacuum system for the cryostat. The Cryo-Vac-Away had a
>nozzle at the blockface which suctions away trimming debris AS IT IS
>GENERATED. It passes through a closed system and is finally captured in the
>primary filter canister that contain both a fine and coarse filter medium.
>The trimming debris is contained in the primary filter. Since the filter
>canister is inside the cryostat the trimming debris freeze dries over time
>which reduces the volume of the debris and keeps it porous and  prevents
>clogging the filter. This makes it possible to maintain the air flow.
>
>However, because we were concerned about the possibility that viral and
>bacterial particles  might escape the trimming debris, a viral/bacterial
>filter is installed  downstream of the primary filter. The manufacturer of
>the filter material offers the following specs:
>Bacterial Filter Efficiency (BF): 99.999+%
>Viral Filtration Efficiency(FE): 99.99+%
>
>With that Cryo-Vac-Away installed the cryostat remains virtually spotless
>and the operator does not have work all day with possibly infectious
>trimming inside the chamber!
>
>We recognize that the system does not provide 100% protection, but we feel
>is goes a very long way to reducing the biohazards associated with
>sectioning infectious material.
>
>If you are interested please contact us for more information.
>
>Bernice
>schiller@instrumedics.com
>

Bernice,
	In a busy multi-user lab regular filter exchange must be essential.
When the filter cannister is full or blocked what safety features are
installed to maintain operator safety.
Ian.

Dr. Ian Montgomery,
West Medical Building,
University of Glasgow,
Glasgow,
G12 8QQ,
Scotland.
Tel: 0141 339 8855 Extn. 6602.
Fax: 0141 330 4100.
e-mail: ian.montgomery@bio.gla.ac.uk





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