Glossary of pharmaceutical and GMP terms with explanations

In this section of GMP-inspection.com, our translators provide definitions and explanations of various specialized terms from the pharmaceutical industry and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).

Laminar flow cabinets

Laminar flow cabinets, also known as tissue culture hoods or laminar flow boxes, are purpose-built pieces of equipment that create a sterile working environment by generating a continuous flow of filtered air. Particles and microorganisms are absorbed by

Laminar flow cabinets, also known as tissue culture hoods or laminar flow boxes, are purpose-built pieces of equipment that create a sterile working environment by generating a continuous flow of filtered air. This air flows through highly efficient filters (HEPA or ULPA) designed to capture particles and microorganisms and is then conducted through the work area in a laminar (i.e. even and constant) flow. The purpose of laminar flow is preventing the contamination of sterile materials, samples or products during operation as well as protecting personnel from toxic substances.

There are laminar flow cabinets (German translation: Laminar-Flow-Boxen) in which the airflow runs vertically, i.e. from top to bottom, and those in which the airflow is directed horizontally from the rear wall toward the operator. With vertical laminar flow cabinets, the focus is on protecting the operator, while the focus of horizontal laminar flow cabinets is on protecting the product.

Main features and operation:

  • Air filtration: The air is filtered through so-called HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) or ULPA filters (ultra-low penetration air), which can remove more than 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 micrometers.
  • Sterile working environment: A clean and sterile environment for the manufacture of drugs, the handling of sensitive biological samples or the production of precise electronic assemblies.
  • widely used in a variety of fields including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, microbiology, scientific research and other industries where a high level of contamination control is required.

Laminar flow cabinets play a key role in maintaining sterility and quality standards in many areas where contamination control (translation into German: Kontaminationskontrolle) is critical.

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