Boxing clever

Bells and whistles are all very good, but when it comes to isolation techniques less can be more says Ed Sullivan as he tells us why lean glove boxes can save time and effort while avoiding risk and cost

For laboratories in cutting-edge research, securing grants and delivering required results demands consistent, repeatable, experimental measurements. While careful application of the scientific method is critical, the effectiveness of isolation to eliminate contaminants and other noise is also essential.

The typical controlled atmosphere approach for decades was a heavy, automated glove box chamber.

Experiments often require using isolation and containment systems able to provide special atmospheres to establish and maintain specified conditions or protect experimental specimens from environmental contamination. This may require a clean, aseptic or controlled atmosphere to provide hypoxic, inert or dry conditions.

While this level of isolation is routine in sealed containers such as flasks or test tubes, when testing or additional physical manipulation is needed, it may require the use of a more complex containment or glove box system. The typical controlled atmosphere approach for decades was a heavy, automated glove box chamber. This featured a spacious chamber with solid metal walls, thick tempered glass and sophisticated sensors and control systems. While massive, sophisticated isolation systems may deliver high purity atmosphere containment under ideal conditions, results are often disappointing in the lab. These large complex machines are a major departure from the simplicity of work in a test tube or flask. When not essential, this large, complex isolation technology is a critical distraction. Such excess technical infrastructure generally comes with challenges for the researcher. These include more work and reduced reliability as it is generally more susceptible to malfunction and error, and requires more maintenance, setup, cleaning and calibration.

As a result, many researchers seek simpler isolation alternatives to the large complex glove box. The best of these “lean” isolation systems avoid much of the size and complexity, yet still ensure fail-safe isolation that meets experimental requirements. In doing so, they can eliminate the extra technological burden and greater risk of error, while avoiding distraction from their primary research goals. This can lead to quicker, more accurate experimental results.

There are many types of large automated isolators, and lean isolation ranges from a simple flask to complex, automated bench-top glove boxes. With so many options, selecting a suitable alternative can be challenging. At the lower end, glove bags are disposable containment devices of simple design that can be effective for simple process applications. Composed of inflatable plastic (e.g. PVC or PE) with built-in gloves, this approach can meet basic isolation needs if the lack of solid walls and pressure control are permissible. Compared to hard-walled workstations glove bags are generally much easier to use and far less expensive; disadvantages include instability, reduced visibility and control issues.

There are many types of large automated isolators, and lean isolation ranges from a simple flask to complex, automated bench-top glove boxes.

Among lean glove box options are compact, portable benchtop models. Although they vary in size and weight, some are built with a clear, polymeric top with ports for a single pair of elastomeric gloves. Additional accessories and attachment options for items such as premixed or regulated gases may be part of the design. The most basic of these isolator glove boxes simply act as a physical barrier. However, controlled atmosphere and clean units offer pressure control, displacement purge and fail-safe specimen protection for work in aseptic, inert and special gas mixtures. Controlled atmospheres, clean or aseptic applications require positive pressure inside to protect the work specimen and inside atmosphere, while toxic or bio-hazardous work requires negative pressure containment to protect users and the community/environment.

[caption id="attachment_56830" align="alignnone" width="500"] Lean glove boxes vary in size, stature and applications they are best suited for.[/caption]

While benchtop models cost less and have a smaller footprint than large, highly automated glove box chambers, many still feature greater layers of complexity in instrumentation and controls than required for the target process. This has opened the door for new, leaner models with all required functionality for most research demanding a special atmosphere with a small fraction of the maintenance, footprint and operational complexity. These lean glove box systems have already drawn the attention of a wide range researchers with technical and schedule challenges. Those isolation requirements vary from experiments on hypoxia in human diseases to those requiring aseptic containment for studying cures for the Ebola virus.

Lean glove box isolators and containment systems offer several advantages beyond the basic ability to produce reliable research results. Bench-top model glove boxes are less complicated to install, use and maintain. Setup and training requires minutes, rather than weeks. The units are compact and portable so they can be quickly and easily moved from one work area to another or to distant field locations.

Lean glove box isolators and containment systems offer several advantages beyond the basic ability to produce reliable research results.

Workstations tend to have a transparent, curved, monocoque dome structure and are therefore much easier to clean and maintain than units with corners, ridges and light fixtures inside. Purging systems are less automated, but simpler, more energy efficient and safer than typical high-vacuum purge units. For labs mindful of environmental impact, lean refers to the elimination of fans, heavy vacuum pumps and chemical treatment, reducing electrical demand while these smaller lighter units also have a much smaller carbon footprint.

When all the factors are considered – the reliability, flexibility, portability, and ease of use – lean glove boxes have the potential to deliver better, cleaner and quicker experimental results compared to traditional heavy, complex glove box chambers.

Author: Ed Sullivan is a US-based writer. He researches and writes about high technologies and healthcare.

Contact: www.banthrax.com