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BioStage
Single-stage Viable Cascade Impactor

surelock seal only from SKC
 BioStage Single-stage Bioaerosol Impactor
  Standard BioStage   BioStage 200
Jet Classification Stage 400 holes (0.25-mm dia.)   200 holes (0.25-mm dia.)
Sample Rate 28.3 L/min   14.15 L/min
Median Cut-point (D50) 0.6 µm   0.6 µm
Sample Media 90 to 100-mm agar plates   90 to 100-mm agar plates
Analysis Colony culture   Colony culture
Tubing 1/4-inch ID   1/4-inch ID
  • Easy to use

  • Proven principle of operation
    • Meet ACGIH recommendations for bioaerosol sampling
    • Meet NIOSH Method 0800 and 0801 requirements
    • Performance equivalent to Andersen N-6 and Aerotech 6**

  • Corrosion-resistant aluminum
    • Autoclavable

  • Collected organisms remain intact and viable

  • Easy setup and calibration

  • SureLock positive seal ensures sample integrity

BioStage Operating Instructions (PDF)

BioStage Spec. Sheet (PDF)

BioStage Analytical Laboratories Reference List

Reference: Positive-Hole Correction of Multiple-Jet Impactors for Collecting Viable Microorganisms (PDF)

Tech Spots Video: SKC Sampler for Viable Aerosols Video page

The BioStage® single-stage cascade impactor operates on the principle of inertial impaction and meets NIOSH and ACGIH recommendations for sampling indoor and outdoor air for viable microorganisms, including bacteria, and fungi. Made of precision-tooled aluminum, the sampler contains a jet classification stage and base plate precision-threaded together for a positive seal and an inlet cone. The impactor stage contains precision-drilled holes. A sample pump draws air through the sampler where multiple jets of air direct airborne particles toward the surface of the agar collection medium. Two models of the BioStage Impactor are available to accommodate two different flow rates.

The SKC SurLock Advantage logo

Only SKC offers the SureLock positive seal advantage! The SKC Standard BioStage Cascade Impactor is constructed with the same 400-hole jet classification stage as the Andersen N-6 Impactor. However, only the SKC BioStage features the SureLock positive seal that:

  • Prevents air leaks to ensure complete sample integrity
  • Does not depend on spring clamps that wear out or fail
  • Requires minimal maintenance
Single-stage impactor with spring clamps
Single-stage BioStage with SureLock Seal
Single-stage impactor
with spring clamps
Single-stage BioStage
with SureLock Seal

Applications
  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) studies
  • Filter and cleanroom efficiency studies
  • Pharmaceutical production
  • Brewery fermentation
  • Animal care laboratories
  • Food processing areas
  • Sewage treatment plants
  • Hospital environments
  • Cosmetic manufacturing
  • Grain processing and transportation
  • Bio-risk response

Operation
The BioStage single-stage impactors are easy to use. A barbed outlet fitting allows fast and easy connection to a vacuum pump. The SureLock positive seal keeps the jet classification stage and agar plate securely in place and prevents leakage during sampling. Sampling is as simple as sealing an agar plate inside the BioStage, connecting the impactor to a pump such as the QuickTake 30 operating at the appropriate flow rate, sampling for two to five minutes, removing the agar plate, and sending it to a qualified laboratory for analysis.


About the BioStage 200
In addition to the standard BioStage, SKC offers the BioStage 200 with a 200-hole jet classification stage. Designed to cut the sampling job in half, BioStage 200 accommodates a 90 to 100-mm agar plate and requires only a 14.15 L/min flow rate. Use a quiet, portable, and battery-operated 15 L/min sample pump such as the QuickTake 30 for fast, convenient sampling.

Performance Profile
Flow Rate
Standard BioStage: 28.3 L/min
BioStage 200: 14.15 L/min
Material
Inlet cone and base plate: Precision-tooled autoclavable aluminum
O-rings: Duro 50, BUNA-N (not autoclavable )
Jet Classification Stage
Standard: 400 holes (0.25-mm hole diameter)
BioStage 200: 200 holes (0.25-mm hole diameter)
Sample Media
90 to 100-mm agar plates*
Suggested Media
For bacteria:
Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA)
Blood Agar Plates (BAP)

For fungi:
Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA)
Malt Extract Agar (MEA)
Dichloran Glycerol 18 Agar (DG-18)
Corn Meal Agar (CMA)
Analysis
Colony culture
Tubing 1/4-inch ID

 

The QuickTake 30

The SKC QuickTake 30 Sample Pump is designed for easy use with the SKC BioStage and other impaction devices that require flows to 30 L/min. The mounting bracket accessory holds the BioStage Impactor securely onto the QuickTake 30 sample pump for fast setup, easy sampling, and portability.
SKC QuickTake 30 Sample Pump  connected to SKC BioStage

Ordering Information        
Description
Cat. No.

Standard BioStage* single-stage cascade impactor

BioStage 200* single-stage cascade impactor

BioStage Pump Kit-DC, 100-240V, includes Standard BioStage impactor,*QuickTake 30 pump with battery, AC charger/adapter, calibration adapter, mounting bracket with inlet adapter, field rotameter, tubing, and deluxe carry case

Accessories
QuickTake 30 Sample Pump and charger includes pump with battery pack, AC charger/adapter (100-240v), and cassette/tubing adapters, and tubing QuickTake 30 Sample Pump 228-9530A 228-9530
QuickTake 30 Sample Pump, Rotameter, and charger 100-240v


 

QuickTake 30 Sample Pump 228-9530A 228-9530A
Calibration Adapter for BioStage, allows tubing to connect to BioStage inlet Cassette Adapter,
Mounting Bracket for QuickTake 30, holds BioStage in place on pump during sampling
Replacement O-ring for Base Plate, ea
Replacement O-ring for Inlet Cone, pk/2

MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aures (MRSA) infections occur typically in hospitals, elder and child care facilities, gyms, schools, and jails. A 2008 IAQA presentation** recommends a viable cascade impactor (such as the SKC BioStage) with ChromAgar for sample times of 2 to 5 minutes for sampling MRSA in air and sterile swabs for sampling MRSA on surfaces where the superbug can live for weeks to a month.

Remove O-rings prior to autoclaving
* Requires microbiological media supplied by analytical laboratories. For lab list see the: BioStage Analytical Laboratories Reference List or visit the AIHA website at www.aiha.org.
QuickTake pumps contain Li-Ion batteries and are subject to special shipping regulations
Do not operate or charge in hazardous locations. Not UL Listed for intrinsic safety. Not CE marked.
In situations where spore counts are high, positive hole correction should be used. See Macher, J., "Positive-Hole Correction of Multiple-jet Impactors for Collecting Viable Microorganisms," American Industrial Hygiene Journal, 50 (11), 1989, pp. 561-568
** Samimi, B. and Shufutinsky, A., "Comparison of the Thermo-Andersen N6, the Aerotech A6, the SKC BioStage, and the SKC Micromedia Viable Samplers in the Collecting Airborne Fungal Spores," AIHce, San Diego, CA, Final Program, p. 43
  Yao, M. and Mainelis, G., "Analysis of Portable Impactor Performance for Enumeration of Viable Bioaerosols," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Vol. 4, Issue 7, July 2007, pp. 514-524
  Dobranic, J., Superbugs in Our Communities – An Introduction for the IEQ Professional, EMSL. Presented at 2008 IAQ Conference, Tampa FL

BioStage Operating Instructions (PDF)

BioStage Product Spec. Sheet (PDF)

BioStage Analytical Laboratories Reference List

Reference: Positive-Hole Correction of Multiple-jet Impactors for Collecting Viable Microorganisms (PDF)

Tech Spots Video: SKC Sampler for Viable Aerosols Video page


This page was last modified January 15, 2013
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