Biopharmaceutical manufacturing and critical filling operations demand an uncompromising balance between physical fluid path endurance and absolute product purity. However, the core mechanism of peristaltic pumping — continual compression and decompression of elastomeric tubing —inherently generates shear-compression forces that trigger spallation, releasing microscopic particles into the process fluid. In high-value, low-volume drug applications like cell and gene therapies or final fill-finish lines, this particulate matter risks compromising product purity and recovery. Upstream, in multi-day cell cultures and fermentations, unexpected tubing failure or flow decay can jeopardize entire batches. Downstream, shed particles can compromise chromatography performance and clog TFF membranes, potentially reducing efficiency and causing column failure.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain insight into particle shedding behavior in peristaltic pumping and its potential implications for downstream operations.

• Review how operating conditions such as sterilization and backpressure influence pump life performance.

• Explore key material considerations for integrating TPE tubing into single-use systems, including weldability and system design constraints.