iVAS Series
Our new range of intelligent air samplers offer unrivalled efficiency and consistency in microbiological monitoring. The iVAS series supports 90mm Petri Dish media and includes an integrated HPV tolerant controller measuring actual flow and sample volume within the sample head. iVAS units can be integrated into existing EM Program meeting EU-GMP Annex 1 and USP 797 compliance requirements.
Available in both pedestal and tri-clamp mounting styles, iVAS can be used free standing or built into isolators and filling machines. The truly intelligent iVAS unit incorporates the perforated sieve head, dual impellers, flow/volume control and communication systems into a highly integrated unit. iVAS itself controls the air flow and measures the volume of air sampled to maximise regulatory compliance and can operate in either continuous or intermittent sampling modes.
- Everything required in a single compact unit – no external vacuum system required
- Designed for use in Grade A zones with single cable connection
- Dual flow rates of either 100L/min or 50 L/min with continuous or intermittent sampling
- Integrated HPV tolerant control module with actual flow and sample volume acquired
- D50 values of 1.1µm @ 100L/min and 1.4µm @ 50 L/min flow rates
- Height adjustable 90 mm Petri dish holder
- Physical and Biological Collection Efficiency test data available
- Host controller provides Modbus interface for up to six iVAS Smart Air Samplers
Ideal for Isolators or RABS lines with H2O2 decontamination.
In order to demonstrate the Physical and Biological Efficiency of the iVAS, it was sent to an independent test facility run by Public Health England’s (PHE) Biosafety Investigation Unit. The Biological and Physical Efficiency tests were conducted by PHE at both 100 lpm and 50 lpm flow rates. Please find a link below to download the test report and results.
Download our iVAS Physical and Biological Efficiency Testing Report
Download iVAS Test Report
Datasheet
Accessory Datasheet
VE8206 - 6 Channel iVAS Controller
The Pharmagraph VE8206 iVAS Controller offers an easy way of interfacing to iVAS intelligent Viable Air Samplers that offer unrivalled efficiency and consistency in microbiological monitoring.
VE8206 provides a quick and easy Ethernet connection to the host PC by incorporating a pre-configured MX6001 controller that drives up to six iVAS units. Individual iVAS units connect via screw terminals using a single cable that carries RS485 communications and power, so that the controller can be installed in a plant room or under the filling machine bed. The iVAS units themselves can then be conveniently distributed within the isolator or clean room.
The VE8206 includes opto-isolated inputs and outputs that allow iVAS to be directly controlled by hardware such as an isolator PLC. When operated in this way, the VE8206 supports hardware control of up to four iVAS units. Modbus software control of the VE8206 allows it to support up to six iVAS units.
Active Air Samplers
We offer a range of Microbiological Air Samplers:
- Stainless Steel 316 Construction
- 100lpm Controlled Flow Rate
- Vaporised Hydrogen Peroxide Tolerant
- Autoclave Tolerant Head
A dedicated VF8023 controller module drives each Air Sampler and can be used independently or in conjunction with enVigil software.
It can be set up for continuous or intermittent sampling of 1 cubic metre. With intermittent sampling it provides a programmable number of shorter samples spread over a longer period to make up the 1 cubic metre volume. Intermittent sampling is often used to reduce the number of interventions during a production process.
The Air Samplers come in a variety of versions with a large number of permutations allowing you to choose the spare part appropriate to your installation.
The basic parts consist of a perforated head that allows air to be drawn in over the sample plate and a body (base) that incorporates the motorised impeller that draws the air in.
The base is available in two mounting versions: a pedestal base for free standing locations or a Tri-Clamp base for integration within machines. The pedestal base uses a Lemo style connector for quick connection/disconnection, while the Tri-Clamp base has an integral cable.
A pre-formed cable assembly is available for the pedestal base, while the Tri-Clamp base generally requires a custom cable to be completed on-site.
The head and base types must be matched and are available in two types: standard screw head and bayonet head for easier removal.
A protective cover is also available which is suitable for both screw and bayonet heads.
It should be noted that the flow rate itself is determined by the associated VF8023 Air Sampler controller, not the Air Sampler components.
VF8023 – Air Sampler Controller
- Controls a single Air Sampler
- Monitors and controls air flow rate
- Programmable sample duration and flow rate
- Supports continuous or intermittent sampling
- Internally monitors fan drive voltage and current
- Out of limits alarms for drive voltage, current and fan speed
- 4-20mA output indicates sample progress
- Host communications with ModBus RTU interface
- Aux RS485 for use in fault-tolerant systems
- Digital I/O for stand alone control
The VF8023 module drives a single Air Sampler and has inputs for control of the ‘Run’ and ‘Gas’ activities and outputs to indicate ‘Running’ and ‘Fault’ states. While ‘Run’ is asserted, the module controls the fan and drives the ‘Running’ output to show this. When the programmed sample duration has elapsed, the Air Sampler drive output turns off and the ‘Running’ status is negated.
The ‘Gas’ input can be used to drive the Air Sampler so that the head can draw gas through the unit during sanitisation. The output remains on until the input request is turned off.
The fan drive voltage, current and fan speed are constantly monitored, and the ‘Fault’ output is asserted if any of the monitored parameters is outside the permitted limits.
The VF8023 offers continuous or intermittent sampling operation to draw an accurate cubic metre sample of air over the sample plate.
With continuous sampling the VF8023 automatically runs the fan until the entire cubic metre sample has been drawn in a single operation.
Intermittent sampling offers a programmable number of shorter samples spread over a longer period to make up the 1 cubic metre volume. For example, a series of 1-minute long samples (100l) drawn every 15 minutes would allow a cubic metre sample to be spread over 2.5 hours. Intermittent sampling is often used to reduce the number of interventions during a production process.
VE8212 Series
- Offers Plug and Play connection to Air Samplers
- Provides a simple interface to a variety of RS485 I/O modules
- Simply scalable by adding extra VE8212 stations
- Optimised for enVigil PnP monitoring systems
The versatile VE8212 series offers simple connectivity for the enVigil PnP monitoring system allowing multiple devices to be connected via a single Ethernet interface. The powerful built-in processor provides connections for between one and five Air Samplers plus local digital I/O functions to drive standard alarm beacon hardware.
The VE8212 enclosure is powered by industry standard 24Vdc in common with many particle counters and allows systems to be deployed and qualified in a minimum time. By defining a single Ethernet IP address, and performing a few clicks in the enVigil PnP configurator the Air Samplers become accessible to enVigil automatically, with sample progress clearly displayed on-screen.
Air Samplers normally run at 100lpm but 180lpm options can be supplied to support legacy systems. The VE8212 can drive both by simply specifying the flow rate at the time of ordering.
A typical enVigil PnP system can be deployed using standard Ethernet particle counters for the particle counting plus a VE8212 and Air Samplers to perform the viable monitoring.
To further ease system integration, the VE8212 series provides pre-configured RS485 interfaces to drive a system watchdog module, distributed environmental measurement modules and distributed alarm indicator modules.
Configuration simply involves clicking to select if a device type is attached, filling in a few details under an associated tab and plugging the device into the pre-defined port in the VE8212.
The system can be readily scaled up by adding particle counters and additional VE8212 enclosures via industry standard Ethernet switches.
