Laminar flow hood
A Laminar flow hood/cabinet is an enclosed workstation that is used to
create a contamination-free work environment through filters to capture
all the particles entering the cabinet.
These cabinets are designed to protect the work from the
environment and are most useful for the aseptic distribution of
specific media and plate pouring.
Laminar flow cabinets are similar to biosafety cabinets with the only
difference being that in laminar flow cabinets the effluent air is
drawn into the face of the user.
In a biosafety cabinet, both the sample and user are protected while
in the laminar flow cabinet, only the sample is protected and not the
user.
Components/ Parts of Laminar flow hood
A laminar flow cabinet consists of the following parts:
1. Cabinet
The cabinet is made up of stainless steel with less or no gaps or
joints preventing the collection of spores.
The cabinet provides insulation to the inner environment created
inside the laminar flow and protects it from the outside
environment.
The front of the cabinet is provided with a glass shield which in
some laminar cabinets opens entirely or in some has two openings
for the user’s hands to enter the cabinet.
2. Working station
A flat working station is present inside the cabinet for all the
processes to be taken place.
Culture plates, burner and loops are all placed on the working
station where the operation takes place.
The worktop is also made up of stainless steel to prevent rusting.
3. Filter pad/ Pre-filter
A filter pad is present on the top of the cabinet through which the
air passes into the cabinet.
The filter pad traps dust particles and some microbes from entering
the working environment within the cabinet.
4. Fan/ Blower
A fan is present below the filter pad that sucks in the air and moves
it around in the cabinet.
The fan also allows the movement of air towards the HEPA filter sp
that the remaining microbes become trapped while passing through
the filter.
5. UV lamp
Some laminar flow hoods might have a UV germicidal lamp that
sterilizes the interior of the cabinet and contents before the
operation.
The UV lamp is to be turned on 15 minutes before the operation to
prevent the exposure of UV to the body surface of the user.
6. Fluorescent lamp
Florescent light is placed inside the cabinet to provide proper light
during the operation.
7. HEPA filter
The High-efficiency particulate air filter is present within the cabinet
that makes the environment more sterile for the operation.
The pre-filtered air passes through the filter which traps fungi,
bacteria and other dust particles.
The filter ensures a sterile condition inside the cabinet, thus reducing
the chances of contamination.
Principle/ Working of Laminar flow hood
The principle of laminar flow cabinet is based on the laminar flow of
air through the cabinet.
The device works by the use of inwards flow of air through one or
more HEPA filters to create a particulate-free environment.
The air is taken through a filtration system and then exhausted
across the work surface as a part of the laminar flow of the air.
The air first passes through the filter pad or pre-filter that allows a
streamline flow of air into the cabinet.
Next, the blower or fan directs the air towards the HEPA filters.
The HEPA filters then trap the bacteria, fungi and other particulate
materials so that the air moving out of it is particulate-free air.
Some of the effluent air then passes through perforation present at
the bottom rear end of the cabinet, but most of it passes over the
working bench while coming out of the cabinet towards the face of
the operator.
The laminar flow hood is enclosed on the sides, and constant
positive air pressure is maintained to prevent the intrusion of
contaminated external air into the cabinet.
Procedure for running the laminar flow cabinet
The procedure to be followed while operating a laminar flow cabinet is given
below:
1. Before running the laminar flow cabinet, the cabinet should be
checked to ensure that nothing susceptible to UV rays is present
inside the cabinet.
2. The glass shield of the hood is then closed, and the UV light is
switched on. The UV light should be kept on for about 15 minutes to
ensure the surface sterilization of the working bench.
3. The UV light is then switched off, and a time period of around 10
minutes is spared before the airflow is switched on.
4. About 5 minutes before the operation begins, the airflow is switched
on.
5. The glass shield is then opened, and the fluorescent light is also
switched on during the operation.
6. To ensure more protection, the working bench of the cabinet can be
sterilized with other disinfectants like 70% alcohol.
7. Once the work is completed, the airflow and florescent lamp both
are closed and the glass shield is also closed
