Merck Millipore Introduces its New EZ-Stream™ Vacuum Pump for Microbiology

Merck Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck, have launched a new vacuum pump featuring direct transfer of liquids that eliminates the need for repeated handling of liquid waste containers. The instrument is designed for microbiological analysis and combines user friendliness, ISO® standard compliance and high performance flow rate.

The required time and energy for handling waste liquids and emptying heavy containers are common issues in laboratories. Thanks to its maintenance-free diaphragm and specific check valves, the new EZ-Stream™ pump enables liquids to run through the pump directly to waste. There is no need to use additional containers to capture the waste liquid. This brings a significant time saving versus traditional vacuum/pressure pumps or in-house vacuum.

Transfer of liquids through the pump head translates to a high vacuum flow rate performance, with pressures up to 600-700 mBar. The pump can easily handle a multiple-head manifold for water or beverage testing, providing a comparable flow rate to traditional vacuum/pressure pumps and a better flow rate when compared to other liquid pumps. Each individual pump is tested to ensure that the maximum vacuum delivered does not exceed 700mBar, which is the recommended vacuum value from the ISO® 8199 (Water quality - general guidance on the enumeration of micro-organisms by culture).

Frederic Amstoutz, Product Manager for the BioMonitoring business field of Merck Millipore, explains: 'A critical point in the microbiology laboratory, and aligned with GLP, is decontamination of equipment. The smooth design of the pump makes this operation easy and efficient.'

A small footprint (W 20cm - L 17cm - H 22cm) and noise reduction (down to 60 dB) contribute to the user friendliness of the EZ-Stream™ vacuum pump. In addition, the pump requires no maintenance thanks to its reliable vacuum performance and its diaphragm made of highly durable chemically resistant polytetrafluoroethylene® (PTFE).

The EZ-Stream™ pump is ideal for microbiological analysis. It handles both liquids and gases making it also suitable for many life science laboratory applications.