Every task that is performed in laboratories related to medical and research need to have an environment that is clean and sterile. For this to happen, there is something known as Laminar flow cabinets that keep the contamination caused by dust and particulate matter to a minimum. The work of Laminar cabinets is to facilitate the flow of air inside and outside the hood constantly. Laminar cabinets are of various kinds having their features along with specifications. It is because of this that it keeps laboratory items sterile and clean. Such tools of medical are a huge part of the roles of sanitary in the medical and research laboratory.
How all of this is made possible? - Flow Bench
The flow bench is responsible to create an environment that is clean and sterile to carry on tasks in the laboratory. It comprises a system of filtration that projects and lets the air move around in a uni-direction around a work surface. Not only does the flow bench provide an environment that is clean for working but also provides an environment that is sterile for various laboratory tasks.
What is the mechanism of their working?
The air is drawn in and passed out via filters of HEPA that filter out the unnecessary particles and the ones that could cause contamination. The mechanism through which the Laminar air flow cabinets work is through the constant of streaming air in a velocity that is uniform as well as steady.
Coming to the types of filters that the cabinet contains, they are of two kinds namely HEPA filter and pre-filter. In addition to this, a medical device encloses one side of the device so that there is the maintenance of constant pressure in the device and this also prevents the contamination of air in the work room.
How are the Laminar Cabinets made?
For the elimination of accumulated bacteria and other microbes, almost every cabinet of the laminar airflow is made from stainless steel. These cabinets of the laminar airflow are also called clean benches as they filter out everything and make the environment for working clean.
How can one maintain these laminar cabinets?
Blowers:
The blower plays a significant part in the effectiveness of the hood. Every worker in the lab has the access to a flow cabinet built with a sliding glass that can be lifted in case the worker wants to take any item. After lifting the window, the process of keeping the environment clean starts as the air is pushed out by the hood blower to avoid blending of air from outside with the sterile one inside cabinets. The blowers have to be timely looked after to make sure that there is a strong and consistent rate of blowing.
Filters:
Filters are a main part of the laminar cabinets as they are responsible for the trapping of matter that is tiny and particulate flowing into the cabinets. Such matter should be filtered out as it contaminates the hood’s air. Every hood filter has a varying lifespan and should be changed accordingly. You should remember to replace filters of the hood routinely to guarantee their productivity.
Every machine that is present in the lab needs to be looked after and checked regularly to ensure that it functions properly and so do the laminar cabinets. Among all the machines that the laboratory owns, the laminar cabinets come under the list of the essential ones to ensure the sterility of air in the workspace.
Types of laminar cabinets :
Laminar Flow Cabinets that are Horizontal:
The laminar air chamber type is so named because of how the air circulates and flows via it. The fundamental motive of such types of laminar air cabinets is to secure the substances in the workplace and not the individuals working in the laboratory.
In such types of laminar air chambers, the air streams from a higher place and moves horizontally through the sterile region. The chamber has a huge filter covering the wall directly before the individual working in the work area. Such laminar air cabinets are intended to provide workers in the lab with a spotless workspace. The device performs well as there is a consistent positive pressure present.
Laminar Cabinets that are Vertical: The vertical laminar cabinets are pretty much as efficient as the horizontal laminar cabinets yet convey air differently than them. With the sort of hood that the device has, air currents from the top and directly go towards the work are present straight downwards. The hood of the vertical laminar hood includes a filter for the air that is located straight over the workspace. The air moves around from the laboratory’s work are via the openings at the hood’s base. As opposed to the horizontal laminar cabinets, the vertical ones give security to both the workspace as well as the lab specialist.
Class I Laminar Cabinets
This is an extremely basic sort of hood for the cabinet. It gives sufficient security to both in the lab and the materials that are present in the workspace. Nonetheless, work substances are not shielded by the Class I laminar cabinets from tainting. Such cabinets work in a way that is similar to the chemical fume hood. What they do is just collect the fumes that are harmful but they cannot sanitize or disinfect them.
Class II Laminar Cabinets
The Class II laminar cabinet helps the workspace in being contamination-free and does the work of disinfection. They give enough safety from the risks that come with the usage of materials that are hazardous.
Class III Laminar Cabinets
The Class III Laminar Hood gives the workers in the lab the most elevated levels of safety since it is airtight and prevents the risk of any human pathogens. It can be best used in those cases where substances that are infectious are made use.
Where can we use this system of flow hood?
Flow cabinets are electronic devices that are particle sensitive used especially in laboratories. The laminar cabinets are made in such a way that they are customized according to the laboratory they will be used in. They can also be used for doing tasks in a general laboratory, mainly in the medical, industrial, electronic, and settings of pharmaceutical.
So in any place where there is a requirement in the laboratory to keep the air and environment fresh and sterile the flow hood can be used.
