New Particle Counter Extends Scope of Lab Monitoring

IKS International has now added airborne particles to the parameters that can be monitored by their XiltriX® real-time laboratory monitoring system. Each Calypso Particle data transmitter can support up to ten particle counters for continuous, automatic particle counting in clean rooms, IVF laboratories, pharmaceutical production facilities and anywhere that airborne particulates are a potential problem.

The individual laser-based counters are available to a number of specifications, but typically can monitor particles down to 0.3µ in diameter. 0.5µ and 5µ particles are counted simultaneously, accumulating counts over a minute as ambient air flows through the counter at a rate of 1 cubic foot (28.3 litres) per minute. The accumulated particle count is transmitted digitally to XiltriX for logging and reporting. Using digital communication means that there is no data loss due to signal transmission or conversion. XiltriX also continuously monitors the airflow through the counter and its operational status, thus providing traceable, real-time data that will greatly assist compliance with GMP and similar quality protocols.

Particle counting is the latest addition to the growing number of parameters that XiltriX can monitor in biotechnical facilities – temperature, pressure, incubator status, door opening and many others. According to Han Weerdesteyn, XiltriX Product and Export Manager at IKS, “This addition to our range allows IKS to provide the complete monitoring solution that many customers, especially pharmaceutical manufacturers, now require.”