Filtering Out Stopper Particles

[thebsac]

I have a couple vials of test with what appears to be particles from the rubber stopper. I bought some sterile vials and some Whatman .2 micron syringe filters.

1. Swab the top of each vial.
2. Draw test with syringe filter.
3. Inject into sterile vial.
   
   
   Is it that easy? Any tips for avoiding getting any pieces of the filter into the new vial?

 

[PrimeYash]

That sounds like it would probably work fine.
Did test vials come already contaminated? Or did you draw with a large gauged needle?

 

[Jy10871]

I have a couple vials of test with what appears to be particles from the rubber stopper. I bought some sterile vials and some Whatman .2 micron syringe filters.

1. Swab the top of each vial.
2. Draw test with syringe filter.
3. Inject into sterile vial.
   
   
   Is it that easy? Any tips for avoiding getting any pieces of the filter into the new vial?

Yes, procedure is correct but just FYI when using the filter to draw out the oil to remove the particles takes a long time. Tbh, you should also think about quality of the test. If there’s particles in it, I would question the source and even the purity of the product. Sometimes it’s worth just replacing the test, especially since test isn’t too expensive. I’d rather be safe than sorry but either way good luck man

 

[Big Bro Ben]

I have a couple vials of test with what appears to be particles from the rubber stopper. I bought some sterile vials and some Whatman .2 micron syringe filters.

1. Swab the top of each vial.
2. Draw test with syringe filter.
3. Inject into sterile vial.
   
   
   Is it that easy? Any tips for avoiding getting any pieces of the filter into the new vial?

I'm not sure if you mean a .22um syringe filter. With those, you draw up the oil with a regular needle, attach filter to syringe then needle on it, and inject into sealed sterilized vial.

 

[thebsac]

That sounds like it would probably work fine.
Did test vials come already contaminated? Or did you draw with a large gauged needle?

They did not come contaminated. I think I just got a couple vials with some old crappy stoppers because I was using a 23g needle and following proper procedure to avoid coring the stopper too.

 

[chuckynoars]

If you use a wheel filter at least 1mL will end up stuck on the filter. If the issue is just coring from the stopper [and not bacterial contamination] then a much simpler solution would be to use a smaller diameter needle when drawing. The rubber floaters will be the exact diameter of whatever needle you used (a 23g) therefore they'll be too large to possibly get sucked into your syringe if your needle is 25g or 27g.