Eight years ago I designed a new portable HEPA filter unit, the last of 7 units I had developed since 1985. When Pure Air Systems was founded in 1985 it had one HEPA system to offer to its customers, the model 600H that eventually became the model 6ooHS. Bigger and more powerful systems were developed which formed a complementary line of commercial grade, certified, fan powered, HEPA based air filter sytems.

The last unit missing was a portable. The HPS 350 and 500 models were developed and completed in 2006 and rounded out the line of Pure Air Systems units. Unlike the larger PAS HEPA units, the HPS series was really designed to work in small areas, offices, laboratories, clinics, specialty applications and any area requiring the removal of sub-micron airborne particulate. Other applications for the unit also included use as a rental HEPA system for post-operative patient care, especially in bone marrow transplants and cancer patients undergoing chemo treatments. These patients have a much higher rate of bacterial infection due to destruction of their immune systems.

Enter the APPAIS System,  (Added Particulate Protection At Injection Site) unit. This is a modification of the HPS series of portable HEPA units. The main difference being the blower/motor assembly is turned 180 degrees and is now positioned to blow or push air through the HEPA unit rather than pull air through it. On the discharge section of the housing a fine mesh filter will be placed to keep any materials or fingers from puncturing the HEPA filter and the same style polyester prefilter is placed on the inlet side of the unit to take out the larger particles and keep the blower/motor and HEPA filter clean.

The controls are the same. The lighted on/off switch and four position speed switch are located on the right side of the unit, when looking at the front. The power cord with hospital grade male plug comes in on the left side of the unit. A top mounted handle was added to make carrying the unit easier and to double as a place to wind up the power cord when the unit is not in use.

The system is designed to be used to protect the patient when given an injection of any kind that is normally given in the upper arm area. The syringe is normally wrapped and protected prior to use. But when the syringe is needed the protective wrapping is removed, air is often drawn into the syringe to test it and then the syringe is placed into the serum container, filled to the appropriate levels then injected into the patients arm. This entire operation is often done in stores, pharmacies, clinics, Dr’s offices and hospitals. The air in the patient area is seldom clean and often much dirtier than even the patients own home. The possibility for infection is very high.

The APPAIS unit will blow HEPA filtered air over the patients arm, allow the medical technician to test fill the syringe in HEPA filtered air, thus making the entire procedure much less suspect for the development of an infection. These units are now going through FDA approval process.

For more information on the complete line of  HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. Of course you can always call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.




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About the Author: Don Musilli

My name is Don Musilli. I started Pure Air Systems in 1985 and then sold it in 2006. I continue to consult for PAS and write their blog and control their Twitter account. I also, on occasion, make changes to the website. The company is now almost 26 years old and has been a major player in offering commercial grade, high performance HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems for the commercial, institutional, industrial and residential markets.

I currently reside in Englewood, Florida where I write blogs and do social media marketing for a number of clients.


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