PULSATING BUBBLE SURFACTOMETER (PBS)

 The PBS is a research instrument for the study of pulmonary surfactant. It measures the pressure difference across the surface of a bubble and calculates the surface tension of the liquid in which the bubble is formed. The measurements are performed dynamically at bubble pulsating rates chosen by the user from 0 to 50 cycles per minute.

The PBS is also useful for research on any organic liquid containing amphipathic molecules where an air-liquid interface is important. Such liquids could be:

Features and Benefits of this new and unique product:

• The liquid sample is small (25 microliters) and may be evaluated in a matter of minutes.
• The disposable sample chamber is easily and quickly filled.
• The automatic control of the water bath, which surrounds the sample liquid, is 34.0°C to 50.0°C. The temperature can be changed externally to a range of 8°C to 60.0°C.
• The microprocessor-based system produces a waveform or alphanumeric print-out of surface tension or surface pressure.
• The residual fluid from the previous sample is rapidly cleaned by the flush system.
• The PBS system includes a Pressure Calibrator.
• A new lap top computer is provided with the system.

PBS-C Specifications:

• PBS-C can be set up to operate on either 100VAC to 120 VAC at < 3 Amps or 220 to 240 VAC at < 1.5 Amps at the factory.
• The system includes a lap top computer and all cables and software including back up disks.
• Dimensions: Height 8.5 inches (21.5 cm), Width 18.0 inches (45.7 cm), Depth 13.5 inches (34.3 cm).
• Weight 45 lb (20 kg).
• Power phase is single phase 47Hz to 60Hz.
• PBS-C calibration was verified using a 50% methanol solution at 37 degrees C and 20 pulsations per minute to give an accuracy of better than 5%.

PBS PRESSURE CALIBRATOR

The PBS Pressure Calibrator is specifically designed for the PBS. It can be used to calibrate the pressure transducer circuits or verify calibration linearity prior to sample measurements. A rapid calibration check prior to critical measurements provides that extra level of confidence and quality assurance.

FEATURES

• Rapid and accurate calibration.
• Ease of set-up with distilled deareated water.
• Single hand operation for convenience.
• Instruction manual on calibration procedure.
• Quick settling time of water enables a rapid check.
• Easy to read scale allows comparison of PBS recorder output and calibration level.
• Adjustable levels from 0 to -4.5 cm of water in 0.5 increments.
• Replacement parts available.

PBS-C General User Interface (GUI)

The PBS General User Interface is shown in the figure. The PBS-C system comes with a lap top computer preprogrammed with the necessary set up for operation with the PBS-C. The PBS-C operates as a server with the IP address of 192.168.1.64, the lap top computer is preset with the IP address of 192.168.65. When the PBS is turned on it sends the General User Interface (GUI) to the lap top. Selections are then made with the curser selection on the GUI on the lap top.

FEATURES

• Menu-driven… user friendly.
• Select bubble oscillation rate.
• Turn on the paper tape printer.
• Set up the terminal program to simultanously stream data.
• Can change the paper tape speed during the measurement.
• At slow paper speeds alpha numerics are printed on the paper tape.
• EXCEL plotting programs are provided with the system.
• A training course can be provided.
• Interfaces with the Lap Top by one TCPIP port and one 9pin parallel port with a parallel to USB adapter.

PBS HYPOPHASE EXCHANGE SYSTEM

The Hypophase Exchange System is specifically designed for use in conjunction with the PBS. It allows the liquid surrounding the bubble with its film to be replaced with distilled water or any agent suspected to affect the properties of the film, such as protein, enzymes, free fatty acids, etc.

The Hypophase Exchange System is a unique sample chamber design, which communicates with a special tubing that is filled with the liquid to be introduced into the sample chamber. The volume of liquid from the special tubing is displaced by a roller and moved into the sample chamber. Concurrently, an equal volume of liquid is displaced from the sample chamber, therefore, no pressure difference is created and bubble size remains constant.

FEATURES

• Exchanges the hypophase without affecting the bubble size.
• Sample chamber easily removed and replaced.
• Variable rate of fluid exchange.
• Automatic shut-off when exchange is complete.
• Adapts to any Pulsating Bubble Surfactometer (PBS).
• Complete user-ready system, which includes power supply, two special sample chambers, and a comprehensive operator manual.

 E-mail: rsgordy@usa.net and pgordy@att.net

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