BioCassette™ Device

BioCassette™ Makes Culturable Air Sampling Easier and Faster!

The BioCassette™ is a patented sampling device developed by EMLab P&K for viable (culturable) air samples. This invention combines the agar plate and the design of the Andersen N6 impactor into a single, disposable cassette and is equivalent to the size of a standard 90mm petri dish.

Because the agar plate and sampling device are integrated into one unit, the BioCassette™ is easier and faster to use than the Andersen N6 air sampler and similar devices that use a separate petri dish. In contrast, the BioCassette™ comes ready to use – assembled and filled with media. No need for cleaning and no risk of cross-contamination. As a result, the BioCassette™ simplifies the air sampling process and protects the integrity of your air samples from sampling through analysis.

The BioCassette™ is simpler, faster, less invasive, and cleaner than other active microbial sampling methods. The device is used for mold and bacteria air sampling, including hospitals, pharmaceutical compounding, and USP <797>-required in-process sampling of hazardous drug compounding work surfaces and environments.

Benefits of Using BioCassette™

Easy To Use	Fast	Reduces Errors
Sampling device and media integrated in a single unit Assembled and ready to use No need to purchase an impactor Small and lightweight compared to impactors Rugged and durable for shipping	Saves time at sampling site No need to disassemble and reassemble parts No cleaning required	No risk of cross contamination Prevents microbial contamination Eliminates operational errors possible with other samplers

BioCassette™ Reduces Errors

Often you have only one opportunity to take a sample. Because Andersen style samplers require disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly with every sample, that process introduces many opportunities for error. There are more chances for contamination, cross-contamination, poor air seals, clogged impactor holes, and unintended airflow. Some of these errors cannot be detected until the samples are analyzed. The BioCassette™ eliminates these failure modes. You can rest assured that these types of questions are no longer threats to your protocol in legal cases.

BioCassette™ – Only 3 Easy Steps

Air Sampling with BioCassette in Only 3 Steps

BioCassette™ vs. Andersen N6 Sampler

BioCassette™ (Only 3 steps)

Andersen N6 Sampler (Total of 7 steps)

1) Remove the plastic plug and sealing label from BioCassette™

2) Perform air sampling

3) Place the plastic plug and sealing label back onto BioCassette™

1) Clean the Andersen sampler before each sample

2) Disassemble the sampler and load petri dish

3) Reassemble sampler before sampling

4) Perform air sampling

5) Disassemble sampler and remove petri dish

6) Reassemble sampler to move or store sampler

7) Secure petri dish lid with parafilm or similar laboratory tape

Operating Instructions

You’ll need a high volume pump, calibrated to pull air through the device at 28.3 Lpm. You can purchase or rent a pump from our Products Division.

Pump Primary Calibration

Primary Calibration of the pump should be carried out on a periodic basis using a primary calibration instrument that is NIST-traceable. With a BioCassette™ inline using the BioCassette™ In-Line Calibrator, the pump should be primary calibrated for a flowrate of 28 Lpm. The BioCassette™ In-Line Calibrator is available to allow the connection of a primary calibration instrument to the inlet of the BioCassette™. It is good practice to have a field instrument such as a rotameter to check flow rate at the sampling site. Most commonly this rotometer/flowmeter is attached to the high volume pump during sampling. Be aware that the BioCassette™ is not a zero restrictive flow devise. It does create backpressure when in use so primary calibration with the BioCassette™ in line is needed to compensate for the loss of flow created by the backpressure. Please feel free to contact the Products Division if you are unsure about any aspect of pump/BioCassette™ primary calibration.

Sampling Times

Choose the proper sampling time based on the environment you are sampling. In general, increase the sampling time if the conditions are clean and low fungal counts are expected. Decrease the sampling time if conditions are "dirty" and high fungal counts are expected. Be aware that opinions may vary on suggested sampling times.

Environment	Typical Sampling Times
Typical Calm Outdoor Environment	2 to 4 minutes
Typical Indoor Environment	3 minutes
Clean Indoor Environment	5 minutes
Clean Indoor Environment	1 to 2 minutes
Critical Care Area in a Hospital or Other ‘Sensitive’ Environment	Contact EMLab P&K

Sampling Procedure

Remove and retain: a) the sealing label from the top surface, and b) the sealing cap from the outlet port on the side.
Attach the sampling pump tubing to the outlet port.
Switch on the sampling pump for the appropriate period of time (see above for typical sampling times).
Remove the sampling pump tubing and fit the sealing cap back onto the outlet port.
Peel off the backing liner from the sealing label to expose additional adhesive and apply the label to the top surface to seal off the holes.
The BioCassette™ can now be shipped to the laboratory for analysis.