You are currently viewing: Medela - English
You can select an alternative Medela website in one of these countries:

Professional vacuum system insights

How to reduce virus cross-contamination of medical vacuum suction pumps with virus and bacteria filters

Time to read: 1 min.

  • The following virus types count as coronaviruses: SARS-CoV in 2003; HCoV NL63 in 2004; HKU1 in 2005, MERS-CoV in 2012; SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 (name of disease according to WHO: COVID-19)1
  • All the viruses mentioned above have approx. 0.12 µm in diameter
  • Medela virus filters have been tested using testbacteriophage Phi X17 4 with a diameter of approximately 0.036 µm
  • Filtration Efficiency of Medela virus filters is greater than 99.99984 % (= probability <1 virus out of 1 '000'000 goes through the filter)


This means using Medela pumps in conjunction with Medela virus and bacteria filters can effectively prevent coronavirus cross-contamination.

  • Note: Medela bacteria filter can prevent bacteria - with a diameter of 0.8 to 1.2 µm – cross-contamination. However, the Medela bacteria filters will not be sufficient to filter and hence not prevent cross-contamination with SARS-CoV-2.
  • As an additional information: According to the NBC report2, it is recommended by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to use masks for virus protection that filter particles of a size of 0.3 microns.


The graph below provides evidence for the statements above:

asset_image

Related Products

Dominant Flex and Basic Suction Pumps

Designed for use in hospitals, clinics and doctor's practices, the Dominant Flex and Basic pumps are the optimal medical suction pumps for all suctioning needs.

Read more

Vario 18 and Vario c/i portable suction pumps

The Vario 18 is a multipurpose medical suction pump for hospitals and clinics that offers reliability, low noise and mobility.

Read more

Reusable Collection System (RCS)

The Medela Reusable Collection System is made of durable, autoclavable, high-quality components. The portfolio is easy to use and virtually indestructible.

Read more

Dominant Flex and Basic Suction Pumps

Designed for use in hospitals, clinics and doctor's practices, the Dominant Flex and Basic pumps are the optimal medical suction pumps for all suctioning needs.

Read more

Vario 18 and Vario c/i portable suction pumps

The Vario 18 is a multipurpose medical suction pump for hospitals and clinics that offers reliability, low noise and mobility.

Read more

Reusable Collection System (RCS)

The Medela Reusable Collection System is made of durable, autoclavable, high-quality components. The portfolio is easy to use and virtually indestructible.

Read more
References

1. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Coronavirus. Virus Group. 2020. Internet: https://www.britannica.com/science/coronavirus-virus-group (retrieved 16.03.2020).

2. Edwards E, Miller SG. What ist he coronavirus? Here’s what we know about it. 2020. Internet: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-new-coronavirus-n1119081 (retrieved 16.03.2020).