Latest docking system Bucks the trend
A new contained docking system from Buck Valve in Germany, part of the Niro Pharma Systems group, claims to reduce dust exposure in the atmosphere by up to 100 fold when processing highly toxic pharmaceutical products. The BuckValve TC (Total Containment) aims to achieve levels below 100ng/m3.
Until now, split valve technology for docking systems is considered to achieve airborne concentrations of powder of 1-10µg/m3 (ie. 10-6). The new BuckValve TC is designed to achieve levels of 100ng/m3 (ie. 10-9) and, in tests, has achieved levels of just 20ng/m3. It does this by incorporating an automatic washing system in an enclosed loop within the valve itself. This ensures that any dust adhering to the valve's outer surfaces is washed off before the valve is exposed to the atmosphere. The company says this can completely avoid the need for isolators or specialist protective clothing, reducing costs and significantly improving working conditions for operators. In tests last year using Riboflavin the valve achieved an average performance level of just 20ng/m3, "five times better than its design performance and factors better than rival valve technology", according to Buck Valve. The report also stated that this level was lower than that required for the product with the lowest OEL (occupational exposure limit) used at the company – sufentanil citrate – where the tests took place.