Samples, such as air and sewage, soil or even blood and smear samples, must often be taken first and then sent to a laboratory for analysis in order to obtain results or to clean up the sample.Microreactors are therefore a good way to bring laboratory processes directly to the place of action in a handy and mobile way. At the University of Applied Sciences of South Westphalia, we are currently developing a medical device that can be used to obtain and purify special endogenous viruses, so-called bacteriophages, directly from humans, without the need for laboratory space.
In order to produce our special devices and microreactor systems, we use the packaging machines from Zappe Packaging Technology GmbH & Co. KG. With the help of the vacuum thermoforming machine, we manufacture the mold for a filter capsule, which can be provided with a thin filter membrane in a further step on the quick blister machine. Once the small plastic capsule is completely manufactured, we can install it as a filtration unit in our medical device and thus directly to the patients.
The machines are used not only in research and development, but also in teaching. In order to show our students a direct connection to industry and industrial processes, our own tools and microreactors are designed and developed in the "Life Science Engineering" degree program.
Due to the intuitive and simple operation of the machines, the students are also allowed to try out different shapes and sealing parameters themselves, implement their ideas and work out the tools of the thermoforming and sealing machines.