BioStage
Single-stage Viable Cascade Impactor

	Standard BioStage		BioStage 200
Jet Classification Stage	400 holes (0.25-mm dia)		200 holes (0.25-mm dia)
Flow Rate	28.3 L/min		14.15 L/min
Sample Media	90 to 100-mm agar plates		90 to 100-mm agar plates
Analysis	Colony culture‡		Colony culture‡

• 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)

BioStage FAQs

BioStage® single-stage bioaerosol impactors operate on the principle of inertial impaction and meet NIOSH Method 0800 and 0801 specifications and ACGIH recommendations for sampling indoor and outdoor air for viable microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Made of precision-tooled autoclavable 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.

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

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 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 15 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
Jet Classification Stage	Standard: 400 holes BioStage 200: 200 holes
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‡

 

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.

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Ordering Information        

Description	Cat. No.
Standard BioStage* single-stage bioaerosol impactor	225-9611
BioStage 200* single-stage bioaerosol impactor	225-9610
BioStage Pump Kit-AC includes Standard BioStage impactor*, vacuum pump (Gast 1532) with rotameter, tubing, calibration adapter, tubing, tripod stand, and carry case	225-9535K
BioStage Pump Kit-DC includes Standard BioStage impactor*, QuickTake 30 pump with battery, AC charger/adapter, calibration adapter, mounting bracket with inlet adapter, rotameter, tubing, and deluxe carry case	228-9530K
BioStage 200 Pump Kit includes BioStage 200* impactor, QuickTake 15 pump, AC charger/adapter (115V), rotameter, tripod stand, tubing, calibration adapter, and carry case	225-9610K
BioStage 200 Pump Kit includes BioStage 200* Impactor (for use with 90 to 100-mm agar plates), QuickTake 15 sampling pump with charger (100-240 V, CE marked), tripod stand, tubing, calibration adapter, and carry case	225-9610KB
QuickTake 30 Sample Pump,† with battery pack, AC charger/adapter, and cassette/tubing adapter	228-9530
Accessories
Calibration Adapter for BioStage, allows tubing to connect to BioStage inlet. Suitable for both models	P33100
Tripod Stand, telescopes to 5 ft to hold BioStage in breathing area (does not hold pump)	225-9536
Mounting Bracket for QuickTake 30, holds BioStage in place on pump during sampling	228-9531
Replacement O-ring for Base Plate, ea	P32287
Replacement O-ring for Inlet Cone, pk/2	P31893

*	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
‡	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.

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)

BioStage FAQs

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This page was last modified March 27, 2008