Devea Phileas® units are ideal for the healthcare sector because they offer a fast, effective method of decontamination. However, the units are well suited to use in the pharmaceutical industry as well.

Tecomak Environmental Services have many years of experience in operating in both sectors. Here we look at why the pharmaceutical industry needs to operate in an extremely clean and hygienic environment and explain why Phileas® units are the best way of achieving this.

The Need for Cleanliness

Any kind of contamination during the manufacturing process can affect the quality of the final medical product, which could have serious consequences for the patient or consumer (and the reputation of the company involved.)

Industry businesses also need to be able to protect their staff from exposure to any potentially harmful pathogens which are used in the production process. Human contact is one of the prime sources of contamination for any pharmaceutical product.

This is the reason why many pharmaceutical labs operate a RABS – a restricted access barrier system – which helps to create an aseptic environment. This is not as secure a location as an isolator unit – a completely sealed system where the operator and the process area are kept completely apart during production. However RABS permit, in certain cases, staff to enter the lab or cleanroom (for instance, if there is a problem, such as a jam, during the manufacturing cycle).

RABS are still very secure – they typically have a rigid machine enclosure, safety-locked doors and ports with gloves to minimise any human contact. Air quality is also strictly controlled, with only ‘clean’ air coming in via fan units with HEPA filters.

Saving Time and Money

Even though these high design specifications mean that pharmaceutical labs minimise the chances of any contamination (from whatever source), it is essential that they are cleaned regularly to maintain their high levels of hygiene. Every time there is a change in the manufacturing process (for example, if a product comes to the end of its run and the environment needs to be prepared for a different process) that will usually require operators to enter the lab or room – increasing the risk of new decontamination.

Previously RABS needed to be cleaned manually; however, because of the human element involved, this increased the chances of contamination. Devea Phileas® units have a high level of automation; they can be programmed to be operated remotely so there is no need for the operator to enter the production lab.

Phileas® products also offer financial advantages to the pharmaceutical industry. Not only do they allow companies to save time and money by avoiding employing cleaners, but they are also available at an extremely attractive price.

The units also offer precise levels of infection control; accurate calibration means they use precisely the amounts of disinfectant required while still ensuring a six-log reduction of potentially harmful pathogens.

How do Phileas Units Work?

Phileas® units operate by diffusing disinfectant via a fine mist which is spread through a rotating disc. Once the cleaning cycle is over, the only residues are harmless oxygen molecules and water.

There are a range of different units available; the Phileas 250® can decontaminate industrial-sized labs, the Phileas 75® and Phileas 25® are ideal for medium-sized laboratories, while the Phileas Genius® can clean individual items of equipment – including non-contact

Tecomak can now supply the Phileas 5®. This airborne surface disinfection device, like the Genius, is suitable for very small areas. It uses piezoelectric technology to emit a dry fog which enters any microbial cells and kills them.

Devea Phileas Units from Tecomak Environmental Services

Tecomak Environmental Services have extensive knowledge of all the fields where Phileas® units are used, such as scientific research as well as the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Call us on 01732 852250 and we can discuss which unit is the best one for your needs. In the unlikely event of a problem, we can also react quickly in an emergency.