3M has launched the Lifeassure series of bioburden reduction filters designed to combine the high filtration performance of membrane-type media with enhanced flow characteristics.
The Lifeassure PNA filter series from 3M's purification division can be used as pre-filters or final filters, where a high level of microbiological control is required.
They are designed specifically for biotech, pharmaceutical and biological applications, such as production of vaccines, laboratory fluids, blood products, fine or bulk chemicals, and purified water.
Lifeassure PNA filter assemblies are available with either a 0.2um or 0.45um filtration rating and feature an asymmetric membrane with 3M's Advanced Pleat Technology (APT), which maximises the useful surface area of the filter.
In addition, filter-media support layers are positioned upstream and downstream of the membrane.
Together, these innovations are claimed to increase flow rate per unit pressure, allowing designers to meet performance targets using fewer cartridges and thereby enabling smaller, lower-cost systems.
In continuous operation mode the filters achieve longer service lifetimes, saving the costs associated with frequent filter changes.
In batch-process applications, the higher flow rate can help reduce the number of filters needed to process a given batch volume.
Moreover, tests confirm superior reduction of micro-organisms.
The 0.2um PNA020 membrane provides Log Reduction Values (LRV) in excess of 7 with B.
diminuta (ATCC 19146) at a challenge concentration of at least 10 7cfu/cm, while the 0.45um PNA045 filter achieves an LRV greater than 8 for S marcescens (ATCC 14756) at 10 6cfu/cm or higher.
