Glove Box Isolators and Containment Solutions

When purchasing a glovebox isolator, it can be challenging to determine which system is the most appropriate for your use case and application. Let's unpack the major distinctions between types of glovebox systems and glovebox isolators. Additionally, we'll evaluate requirements and stipulations for various applications such as biohazard containment gloveboxes, aseptic compounding isolators (CAIs), aseptic containment isolators (CAICs), negative pressure gloveboxes, and related systems such as Biological Safety Cabinets.

Glovebox Isolator Types and Configurations

Glove Boxes are designed to provide a controlled environment in which substances or materials can be manipulated under controlled and contained conditions. Terra offers a wide selection of prebuilt and configurable glove box systems for general research and laboratory activities, specialty solutions for hazardous or radioactive compounds, and product protective solutions for sterile or low-particulate requirements. The prototypical glove box is designed for tactile manipulation, and usually encompasses low-risk operations that do not require extraordinary safety measures for fume or waste handling. With the majority of glovebox applications, Terra can offer a plethora of economized system designs that are easy to use, maintain, and modify or update as your needs evolve.

Types of Gloveboxes Include:

• HEPA Filtered Gloveboxes
• Gas Purge Gloveboxes
• Low Oxygen Gloveboxes
• Hazardous Containment Gloveboxes
• Compounding Aseptic Isolator (CAI)
• Compounding Aseptic Containment Isolator | CACI | C-PEC
• ACI Aseptic Containment Isolator/CVE
• Refrigerated Gloveboxes
• Lead-lined Glovebox for Radiopharmaceuticals

Read More: Glovebox Feature Comparison Guide

Terra's Glove Box Isolators allow the manipulation of isolated objects within a controlled microenvironment, and allow access to the objects and materials inside via glove port access. These systems are uniquely designed to thwart contamination that would otherwise exist in the ambient air, such as moisture, particulates, static electricity, and opportunistic organisms. The enclosed microenvironment functions as a miniature cleanroom that protects internal materials against environmental contamination that is introduced by unclean surfaces, objects, equipment, tools, or human operators. Thus, gloveboxes offer a efficient method of maintaining physical barriers against operator-induced contamination from skin, hair, mucus, and garment fibers, preventing them from reaching critical surfaces or samples.

• Nanofiber Processing
• Pharmaceutical Mixing, Packaging, and Quality Testing
• Medical Device Packaging
• 3D Printing Containment & Post Processing
• Aseptic Environment Gloveboxes (Sterile Processing | CAIs)
• Aseptic Hazardous Containment Environments (Sterile | CAIC)

Glovebox Isolator Capabilities

Glovebox isolators entail a broad scope of potential applications and use cases. Some models are designed as one-size-fits-all solutions, while others are thoughtfully designed for specific tasks and workflows, considering appropriate access points, chamber envelopes, and target cleanliness levels.

• HEPA / ULPA filtered systems for particulate control for powder and aerosol control
• Negative pressure for operator protection and safe handling of hazardous or noxious fumes and aerosols
• Nitrogen purge gloveboxes for inert gas supplementation (nitrogen or argon) allow for ultra low moisture conditions and low-oxygen requirements
• NFPA explosion proof systems with specialized components to prevent sparking and ignition of flammables
• Controlled atmosphere gloveboxes provide acute control over environmental conditions within the chamber, such as temperature, humidity, moisture levels, or maintained atmospheres of specific gas mixtures

Positive pressure gloveboxes are essential for maintaining operational integrity in engineering and manufacturing environments. Higher pressure inside the glovebox prevents the ingress of lower pressure air from outside the chamber, which can contain external pollutants.

Negative pressure gloveboxes create an artificial low-pressure environment inside the chamber, preventing the escape of airborne contaminants into the ambient environment by maintaining lower pressure in the enclosure than in the surrounding air.

Hygienic Requirements require a thoughtful approach to glovebox design and assembly, as well as their associated components, hardware, and receptacles. Stainless steel is robust in terms of its temperature range, electrical properties, leak-tightness, and fabrication flexibility. It is endowed with attributes that resist the proliferation of bacteria and viruses, as well as their spores. Unlike non-metal materials, steel supports high-temperature heat sterilization and is autoclave-friendly, which is important for protecting sterile conditions in pharmaceutical and laboratory environments sensitive to trace microbiological contaminants.

Glove Box Isolator Configurations Available at Terra Universal

Laminar Flow Glovebox Isolators (LGFI): Laminar flow designs maintain a pristine, HEPA filtered containment environment to ensure ultra-low levels of particulate and microscopic contamination. Uniform air flow sweeps downward at a constant velocity to minimize turbulence, and continually deliver fresh HEPA filtered air.

BioSafe® Glove Box Isolators are recommended for sterile environments due to their broad chemical compatibility, ease of cleaning, and durability. The interior and exterior surfaces are meticulously engineered to minimize gaps, cracks, and crevices, thereby reducing potential zones for contamination and simplifying the sterilization or wipe-down process. These specialized microenvironments facilitate the efficient maintenance of low particulate levels, particularly where the most critical operations and processes are executed.

Controlled Atmosphere Gloveboxes: These systems are often deployed for specialty research and material testing applications in aerospace and aeronautics applications. In some cases, these systems require special controls to eliminate airborne contamination, or special exhaust and containment considerations for handling any fume, exhaust, or gasses generated during runtime procedures.

Integrated Constant Temperature Control Systems: Optional temperature control systems can be integrated into refrigerated glovebox isolators to provide stable heating and cooling cycles. HEPA and ULPA filtration and gas purge systems can also be configured for an inert, low particle environment. These systems can support the integration of process gas heaters, as well as refrigeration units.

Refrigerated Protein Analysis Isolators: A refrigeration unit and nitrogen purge system facilitate protein analysis of meat samples in an inert gas environment down to -20°C. The 304 stainless steel chamber features double-wall construction with 4" polyurethane insulation for optimal thermal efficiency.

Hazardous Containment Gloveboxes allow for fume and hazardous containment applications, with a differential pressure value of -0.02 to -0.05 inches of the water column being adequate for most applications. Additionally, a continuous exchange of HEPA or ULPA filtered air is typical. Internal air exchange requirements vary, but most systems register anywhere from 12 to 30 air changes per hour (ACH), or more. Depending on the host environment, additional air changes may be required to accommodate a lack of primary engineering controls.

3D Printing Gloveboxes: 3D printed part processing may require compressed air, deionized water, and solvents to remove support material and clean the final parts. Gloveboxes for 3D printing allow for the integration of utility lines via inlet ports and sloped bottoms with drainage valves that channel liquids into a carboy. For static-sensitive applications, Terra’s Ionizing Blow-Off Gun integrates with compressed air or nitrogen to neutralize surfaces. (Learn More)

Contact a Terra specialist for pricing and configuration assistance.

Glovebox Isolator Airflow, Filtration, and Add-Ons

BioSafe® HEPA Filtered Glove Boxes feature adjustable open/closed loop ULPA filtration to capture submicron API’s. HEPA/ULPA filtration systems protect sterile drugs and contamination-sensitive products from external contamination and ensure continuous delivery of clean and pure air to the internal environment. These systems combine with a nitrogen gas-purge module mounted on top that automatically maintains an inert atmosphere when supplemented with a noble gas, such as nitrogen or argon. With connections to a sensor inside the glovebox, it quickly reaches and efficiently holds the user-specified relative humidity (RH%).

Glovebox Airlocks enable the connection of multiple glove boxes in a series and simplify the transfer of parts into and out of the chamber. Products within the glovebox can be moved throughout a workflow from one glovebox workstation to another without the need to depressurize, repressurize, or purge the chamber environment. For safe pressure release under vacuum, an Automatic RB Valve is required to equalize the pressure

Terra's BioSafe® Glovebox Airlocks are rated for ISO Class 5 cleanroom environments, and suitable for virtually any hygienic or sterile-rated requirements. These systems incorporate ultra-hygienic, cleanroom grade materials and a unique "e" profile elastomer gasket that maintains its integrity without compressing or migrating over time. Ergonomic stainless steel LiftLatches ensure easy operation that is free from strain on hinges, and feature plated hardware that is corrosion and contamination resistant.

Bag Out Ports allow for a dedicated port that is accessible from within the glovebox system. This ensures that contaminated sharps or other waste can be easily disposed of and collected without interrupting ongoing operations.

Need Product Support or Configuration Assistance?

Shop Terra Universal Glove Boxes Online to browse and compare a wide selection of glovebox systems, accessories, and add-ons including stainless steel and plastic gloveboxes, containment isolators, and specialty gloveboxes for radiopharmaceuticals, precision climate control, or hazardous substances

Contact us or request a quote for custom orders including custom glove box chamber designs, gas purge solutions, vacuum systems, feedthroughs, custom gauges, and more. With over 45+ years in designing specialized containment glove boxes and isolators, Terra's glove box designs offer unrivaled performance, endless customization options, and a host of accessories and add-ons that are built with modular principles in mind.

Learn More: Terra's Glovebox Comparison Guide offers a complete overview of glovebox and isolator accessories, configurations, and add-ons.