BioHawk Plus

Introduction

The BioHawk Plus combines a highly efficient, high-volume aerosol concentrator (SASS 4000) with an 8-channel collector/bioidentifier system (BioHawk). This system concentrates particulates from ambient air then passes it on to a wetted-wall air sampler that extracts the particulates from the air stream into a liquid phase. The liquid sample is then automatically analyzed by fluoroimmunoassay.

• Download BioHawk Plus Data Sheet (126 KB)
  

Principles of Operation

The SASS 4000 continuously samples over 3500 liters/minute of ambient air. Air flows radially inward into the concentrator through a coarse square-mesh screen. This inward radial flow provides 360 degree sampling of the surrounding aerosol environment. The primary fan and a curved air shroud are mounted above the sampler inlet section, channeling exhaust air into a vertical stream away from the inlet area.

Particulates in this air stream are transferred to a much smaller secondary air stream using patent-pending centrifugal and virtual impaction principles. Particles are routed into the secondary flow by forcing primary circuit air to circulate through specially shaped channels where centrifugal force and particle momentum isolate and concentrate the particles.
The secondary flow can reach aerosol concentrations that are 4X to 15X higher than present in the incoming air, yet the velocity of this secondary aerosol concentrate flow is much lower than peak velocities in the primary circuit. The two-stage sampler therefore amplifies and slows down the captured ambient aerosol particles prior to their collection.

Due to advantageous pressure differentials within the device, one fan drives both the primary and secondary flows.

This secondary airflow is then routed, via a hose connection, into the integrated wetted-wall aerosol collector of the BioHawk® 8-channel bioassay system. Particulates are captured and concentrated in the collector operating fluid. Next, the concentrated sample is automatically transferred to the biodetector portion It is suitable for high-sensitivity monitoring of biological agents, toxins, explosives, and chemical contaminants. Assay results are typically available in 20 minutes.. Alternatively, a Sample Port may be used to introduce liquid samples for analysis from external sources, either manually or under software control. A built-in microcomputer provides unparalleled operating flexibility and sophistication.

Bioassays are performed within a small disposable credit card-sized plastic assay coupon using a ‘sandwich format’ fluoroimmunoassay protocol. Unlike other assay technologies that are based on a "use once and discard" philosophy, this coupon and the reagents stored within it may be used for 10 or more assay procedures before being discarded. Since a single assay coupon can handle up to eight different analytes simultaneously, this means that up to 80 individual assays may be performed before discarding or removing the coupon. This capability simplifies field use and substantially reduces life cycle cost.
Although sophisticated and versatile, the unit is still very easy to use. Most global functions such as air sampling and bioidentification are performed using multi-step recipes developed by Research International and stored in the system's computer memory. Users need only the most fundamental level of training since the internal processes and steps are preset through the built-in computerized recipes. For more professional users, bundled Windows-based software allows the user to develop their own customized sample collection and detection protocols.

Figure 3: BioHawk bioassay coupon.

Applications:

• Counter-terrorism
• Epidemiology
• Agriculture
• Food processing air quality
• Medical facility air quality
• Homeland security
• Power plants

Aerosol Collector Features:

• No moving parts, other than the primary fan.
• Maintenance is minimal.
• The operating temperature range is very wide.
• The structure is comparatively clog resistant.
• Sampled air volume is maximized, improving collection statistics.
• It is an ultra-high capacity stand-alone dry sampler when used with RI’s proprietary electret filters.

Bioidentifier Features:

• Man portable. Measures:35.6 cm W x 36.5 cm H x 17.1 cm D. Weighs less than 30 pounds.
• Air sampler uses multi-stage, wetted-wall cyclone principle for enhanced particulate collection.
• Air collection at 325 LPM, nominal.
• Uses disposable wet assay coupon. Reusable up to 15 times. Eight simultaneous assays.
• Fast assays: 10 - 15 minutes typical.
• Auto-flush protocols for decontamination.
• Analyte range: toxins, bacteria, spores, fungi, multi-cellular pathogens.
• Sensitivity: analyte dependent, 1 to 10 ppb typical for toxins, 100 to 100,000 CFU/ml for bacteria.
• Operator interface: Day / night touch screen LCD.
• Designed to MILSPEC 810F.
• Flash memory retains raw / processed data for over 6,000 assays.

Product information:

• Download BioHawk Plus Data Sheet
  (126 KB)
  
  
• Power Measurements and Battery Life Estimates (92 KB, PDF)
  
  
• Candidate Disinfectants for Research International Products (978 KB, PDF)
  
  
• Bluetooth Biolink™ Wireless Units provide plug-and-play wireless communication between any Research International product and a remote PC or laptop.
  

Contact Us :

• Call Toll Free at 1-800-927-7831

• Send E-mail

• Or Request a Quote

Research International, Inc. • 17161 Beaton Road SE • Monroe, WA 98272
Copyright © Research International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Last updated June 13, 2008.

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