Bio-Rad S3™ Cell Sorter - Manual (Page 11)

Instruction Manual | 1
Introduction
1
The S3 ™ biosafety system is a Class I aerosol containment hood designed to work with the S3
and S3e cell sorters, which work in conjunction with S3 ™ ProSort ™ software, providing users
and the environment protection from aerosols created during the cell sorting process. The
S3 biosafety system is an affordable alternative to traditional large and expensive biosafety
hoods commonly offered for cell sorters.
The S3 biosafety system’s small benchtop footprint complements the compact S3 or S3e cell
sorter. The unique design provides an easy method to access all sides of the cell sorter for cell
sorting, cleaning, maintenance, or service. The system is easily assembled and can be moved
if necessary (a re-certification would be necessary if moved). The walls of the biosafety system
are made of heavy vinyl magnetically attached to the frame.
The S3 biosafety system is fully integrated with and monitored by the S3 or S3e cell sorter’s
ProSort software, so users have real-time information about HEPA filter life and the temperature
of the system inside. To maintain containment, the fan speed is regulated based on the cell
sorter operation mode and the airflow rate through the HEPA filter.
Specialized fans and low backpressure from the HEPA filter reduce energy consumption from
the unit. The HEPA air generator is able to perform 100% air exchange 6–8 times per minute
around the S3 or S3e cell sorter. The system generates low vibrations and sound pressure
levels that are hardly noticeable during operation.
The S3 biosafety system functionally exceeds requirements from National Institutes of
Health (NIH) standards for Class I biosafety and the International Society for Advancement of
Cytometry (ISAC) guidelines.