Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering (Sep 2020)
Optimization of online particle counting with a 3D-printed bubble trap
Abstract
Particulate evaluation is needed for the approval of cardiovascular devices. Air bubbles lead to higher particle counts when light obscuration method (LOM) is used. The aim of the study was to test a custom made bubble trap that removes air bubbles (2 - 100 μm) from a flow circuit prior to online particle counting. Artificially generated air bubbles were counted with an online particle counter with and without the bubble trap. Air bubbles were reduced by about 71 % to 91 % by using the bubble trap.
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