New York, NY, April 15, 2002: Now there is a solution for stagnation and grow-back
problems that are due to an inability to re-clean and
re-sterilize throughout a production run.
The Pharmenta SIPTube™ valve is the first inoculating,
feeding and sampling device that allows repeat cleaning and
sterilizing episodes during a production run and can actually
deliver feed or inoculants and capture samples from within the
fluid body of the process, all without harming the process.
The Pharmenta SIPTube™ valve addresses the
chronic problem of dip tube and feed-line dead space, which can
promote stagnation and grow-back in pharmaceutical processes. By
moving the process interface seal as close to the process as
possible while at the same time eliminating surfaces that cannot
be re-cleaned and re-sterilized during production, the Pharmenta
SIPTube TM eliminates dead
space found between valve seal and the point of delivery in
current inoculation and feed device designs.
If multiple SIPTube™ valves are installed in a
tank, the units can each be cleaned and sterilized in turn while
the other units continue uninterrupted feeding.
The Pharmenta SIPTube™ valve offers a
simple, versatile design that provides for improved reliability
and fast, easy maintenance.
It can be quickly installed in existing portholes, either
on top or on the sides of tanks and process piping.
It is designed for operation in vertical to horizontal
orientations. The SIPTube™ valve can be used in applications for
inoculating, for feeding media and for sampling operations. Because of its CIP/SIP in-operation capabilities, a single
SIPTube™ valve can be used to perform all three operations
effectively for a single process. This multi-functional nature
makes the SIPTube™ valve ideal for smaller, highly instrumented
research installations.
For processes
that require steam resterilzation, the Pharmenta SIPTubeTM valve offers optional valve body insulation.
This insulation inhibits heat transfer during steam
resterilization, which might otherwise adversely affect the
process.
The SIPTube™ valve is available with a
variety of biocompatible diaphragm materials, connection, and
actuator styles. It fits into existing 1.5 inch ferrules and has
shaft insertion lengths available up to 16 inches (400 mm.)
It is suitable for
pharmaceutical, biotech, food and beverage and fine chemical
applications.
The Pharmenta SIPTube™ valve is available
immediately from NL Technologies, Ltd. (Phone: 888-765-7838 or
609-750-1251.)
Additional information on the product and the company can be
found at www.pharmenta.com.
Pharmenta's mission is to improve the safety, quality, efficiency and
consistency of pharmaceutical products and processes through
innovative equipment design. Pharmenta is a product division of
N. L. Technologies, Ltd.
Since 1989, N. L. Technologies has provided regulatory and
facility design expertise to pharmaceutical, food and beverage
manufacturers around the world.
