IKA TS 25-3 Cleaning tool, cleaning tool for T 25 disperser, 0020003013

Maximum analytical reliability through impeccable hygiene: the IKA TS 25-3 Cleaning Tool

In modern laboratory practice – be it in strictly regulated pharmaceutical quality control, highly sensitive food analysis or microbiological research – sample preparation is by far the most critical step. High-performance dispersing tools break down tissue, emulsify oils or suspend powders using immense shear forces. In the process, microscopically small sample particles are inevitably forced deep into the narrow gap between the rotor and stator, as well as into the tool’s internal plain bearings. If these residues are not removed one hundred per cent after every single sample, there is a risk of the dreaded cross-contamination (carry-over). Even invisible traces of DNA, allergens or active pharmaceutical ingredients from the previous sample can completely skew the subsequent analysis, leading to fatal misinterpretations or costly product recalls. Manually scrubbing the sharp-edged tools under running water is not only extremely time-consuming, but also poses a high risk of injury to laboratory staff. To standardise this essential cleaning process, make it safer and significantly speed it up, IKA has developed the TS 25-3 Cleaning Tool (MPN 0020003013). This intelligent cleaning system is the ultimate solution for all users of the T 25 disperser series who cannot afford to compromise on the cleanliness of their instruments.

The systematic 3-stage cleaning procedure

At the heart of the IKA TS 25-3 system lies not only the hardware itself, but also the establishment of a validatable Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for your laboratory. With this tool, IKA recommends a precisely defined and highly effective cleaning process comprising three consecutive steps:

1. Pre-cleaning (solvent): In the first step, coarse contamination is removed. The contaminated dispersing tool is inserted into the first tube, which is filled with a solvent suitable for your sample. Switching on the dispersing drive creates a powerful suction that forces the solvent through the shear gap with high kinetic energy, mechanically and chemically dislodging even stubborn, greasy or sticky residues.
2. Main cleaning (cleaning agent): In the second step, you move on to the next tube, which is filled with a specific laboratory cleaning agent (surfactant mixture). Here, proteins are denatured, fats are emulsified and any remaining organic or inorganic deposits are separated from the tool’s high-quality stainless steel at a molecular level.
3. Final cleaning (rinsing): The third and final step takes place in the last tube, which contains pure, demineralised water. This rinse cycle thoroughly washes all remaining traces of the previously used solvents and cleaning agents out of the tool. The result is a chemically pure, residue-free dispersion tool that is immediately ready for the next highly sensitive sample.

Occupational health and safety at the highest level

In addition to analytical purity, the TS 25-3 Cleaning Tool offers an invaluable advantage in terms of occupational health and safety. When solvents or aggressive surfactants are dispersed openly in a beaker to clean a tool, dangerous aerosols are inevitably produced, which can be inhaled by laboratory staff. The TS 25-3 system eliminates this risk. The ingenious tube holder secures the three supplied tubes firmly and stably. Thanks to the matching caps, the cleaning process takes place in a largely enclosed system. This effectively prevents toxic solvents or hot cleaning solutions from being sprayed out. It also eliminates the need for dangerous manual handling with brushes near the razor-sharp, rotating blades of the dispersing tool.

Comprehensive compatibility with the T 25 ecosystem

IKA has seamlessly integrated this cleaning tool into its existing product portfolio. The TS 25-3 Cleaning Tool is designed exclusively for use in combination with the globally proven high-performance dispersers of the T 25 class, namely the T 25 digital and the modern high-tech drives T 25 easy clean digital and T 25 easy clean control. In terms of tools, the system covers an enormous range. It has been specifically developed for cleaning a wide variety of stainless steel dispersing tools, including models from the S 25 N series (e.g. S25N-18G/18G-ST, S25N-25G/F/25G-ST), the S 25 KR series (e.g. S25KR-18G/18G-ST, S25KR-25G/25F/25G-ST) and the vacuum-sealed S 25 KV series (S25KV-18G/25G/25F).

Cost-effectiveness and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

At first glance, a specialised cleaning tool may seem like a mere luxury. However, if a detailed full-cost analysis is carried out, the TS 25-3 pays for itself extremely quickly in laboratories with high sample throughput. The working time saved by highly qualified laboratory staff, who no longer have to stand at the sink for minutes on end, is considerable. Far more crucial, however, is the extension of the service life of your expensive dispersing tools. Improper manual cleaning often leads to microscopic scratches on the stator or damage to the sensitive plain bearings caused by dried-on sample residues. The hydrodynamic cleaning in the TS 25-3 is gentle on the material, prevents shafts from seizing up and thus massively reduces your ongoing spare parts costs. Investing in the IKA TS 25-3 Cleaning Tool means investing in certifiable process reliability, the protection of your staff and the uncompromising reliability of your analytical results.

Technical data

• System type: 3-stage cleaning system for dispersing tools
• Cleaning phases: 1. Solvent, 2. Detergent, 3. Demineralised water
• Compatible drive motors: IKA T 25 digital, T 25 easy clean digital, T 25 easy clean control
• Compatible tools (selection): S 25 N series (18G, 25G, 25F), S 25 KR series, S 25 KV series
• Health and safety benefit: Reduces aerosol formation and contact with sharp rotor blades
• Analytical benefit: Prevents cross-contamination (carry-over)

Contents

• 1 x tube holder (sturdy base)
• 3 x cleaning tubes
• 3 x caps (for splash and aerosol protection)

(Please note: The dispersion drive and the dispersion tools are not included in the scope of delivery!)

Individual requirements & accessories

Have you switched to the newer generation of ‘easy clean’ (EC) tools in your laboratory, which can be cleaned without any dismantling? For machine cleaning in the laboratory dishwasher, we recommend the IKA HS 25 EC - DW Holder as a supplementary item. Do you work with highly infectious samples and wish to avoid cleaning altogether? In that case, we would be happy to advise you on the sterile IKA disposable plastic tools. Please feel free to contact our expert procurement service at any time for a bespoke optimisation of your laboratory processes.