Laminar flow is the airflow in which all the body in the air within a space that is designated is uniform in both the direction and velocity. The common examples of Laminar flow glove box are biological safety and clean benches. These are the laboratory enclosures which are particularly designed for carefully directing HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filtered air. A lot of these hoods protect all the items which are placed on the surface from any type of contamination. And others help in preventing the users from exposure to the contaminants which are present in the work area. Often this Laminar flow glove box is used for working with the various biological samples, sensitive materials or semiconductors.
The principles of laminar airflow were first developed in the early 1960s. Today also these are incredibly relevant for all the modern labs which have shaped how the air moves in different generations of the laboratory enclosures. There are a lot of different categories of Laminar flow glove boxes, though they differ depending on the science which is performed within but there is a common denominator. Everyone uses unidirectional airflow so as to help in maintaining the sterility, reducing the turbulence and also preventing further cross-contamination.
1. Utilization in different equipments
The product protection is done through the HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filtered downflow laminar in the work zone. Such ventilates cabinets also have the inward airflow just at open front for protecting the operators and also HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filtered exhaust air for the protection of the environment. There are different types of cabinets and types in it. Some are very hard ducted to the outside and some recirculate the air back into the laboratory. Whichever will suit your application, it is imperative to do the operation safely in the biological safety cabinets for protecting your work integrity and personal safety as well. There are also PCR stations which are designed specifically for utilizing the vertical flow HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filtered air for maintaining the environment totally particulate free. The necessity of UV light is there for denaturing the genetic material and providing the secondary decontamination.
2. Usage of clean benches
These are suitable for the various applications which have been designed basically for the protection of the product like maintenance of the tissue culture or preparation of media plate. Air is also drawn through the prefilter which is fixed at the top of clean bench before it is pulled through HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter. In the vertical clean bench, the projection of the laminar air is done vertically over the work area. In the horizontal clean bench, the projection of the laminar air is done horizontally to the side of the operator. In both instances, a particulate-free area is provided by the Laminar flow glove box.
3. Clean and safe environment
The biological safety cabinets provide a safe and clean environment for both specimen and worker. The two types of laminar flow used by cell culture applications, one is biological safety cabinet and the other is a horizontal flow clean bench. The selection of the product totally depends on the cell culture nature and also on the biological safety of the various materials which are being processed and used. Both of these use HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter and also the blowers which generate continuous airflow.
4. Horizontal laminar flow clean bench and biosafety cabinet
This is used for providing the near sterile environment for the proper handling of the non-hazardous materials like sterile equipment and material. The air stream pattern directs the airflow within the hood back to the operator and room. These are never being used with toxic chemicals and infectious agents. Biosafety cabinet is mostly encountered in the laboratories of cell culture.
5. LGFI provide product protection
The LGFI isolator provides protection to the products and personnel from the dust, powders, aerosols, and particulates. Microbiological aerosols and particulates with the exception of the prions can also be removed. Product and operator protection from the fumes and gas are not given by HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filtration but the protection can be provided by ducting and venting. These are constructed really high quality with the grade finishing.
Protection to the operator and product
The laminar flow glove box provides a high level of protection to the products and operators. The exhaust HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter handles all the exits laminar flow glove box isolator. This is very important for the safety of the operator in the work area.
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Original Source : http://articlescad.com/article/show/131189