Temperature Control Solutions

Temperature Control Solutions – Cold Chain Logistics for Laboratory

Biological samples handled by laboratories are highly sensitive to temperature variations. To maintain the integrity of these samples and ensure accurate test results, laboratories rely on temperature-controlled environments within their facilities. However, the need for temperature regulation extends beyond the lab's walls, especially when samples need to be transported between locations. This is where reliable cold chain solutions play a crucial role in maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the supply chain.

Understanding Cold Chain Logistics:
Cold chain logistics is a system of transportation designed to keep temperature-sensitive products within a specific temperature range from their origin to their destination. It is widely used across various industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals to preserve product quality and safety. Similarly, laboratories require a robust quality management system for handling, transporting, and storing biological samples across different locations. The specimen cold chain serves as a central quality management system off-site, ensuring the reliability of test results.

What are the Recommended Temperature Ranges?
Temperature ranges can differ and are commonly categorized as follows:

• Controlled room temperature (15°C to 25°C)
• Refrigerated (2°C to 8°C)
• Frozen (-15°C to -25°C)
• Dry ice (-50°C to -90°C)
• Cryo (-150°C to -190°C)

The Importance of Cold Chain Packaging Solutions:
Laboratories require dependable cold chain packaging solutions to safeguard biological samples during transportation. Samples like blood, urine, and human tissues are prone to degradation when exposed to heat, light, moisture, or artificial sources. Even minor exposure to such factors can compromise the integrity of samples, leading to inaccurate results. Cold chain packaging solutions are specifically designed to minimize exposure to environmental threats and maintain the integrity of samples through proper temperature regulation.

Essential Components of Cold Chain Solutions:
Effective cold chain solutions involve meticulous planning and implementation to ensure temperature control during transport and delivery. Key components include:

• Thermal Blankets and Bags: Insulative materials that maintain sample temperatures during transport.
• Insulated Boxes: Cost-effective solutions for preserving cold temperatures for each sample.
• Insulated Vacuum Panels: Provide superior insulation by creating a vacuum between two layers.

Cold Sources

• Ice Packs – water-filled packs that are usually frozen at -18°C to provide cost effective yet ample cooling inside insulated packaging and are a common
• Gel Packs – gel packs are filled with a blend of different chemicals to allow freezing at temperatures way below 0°C for an even longer period of time than an ice pack.
• Dry Ice – dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and is typically at -78.5ºC. It requires special packaging to limit exposure to ambient temperatures and allow venting of CO2 gas to prevent buildup of pressure.
• Liquid Nitrogen – liquid nitrogen (LN2) is a standard coolant used in the cryonic preservation of biological samples with temperatures reaching below -196°C.

Common Challenges in Cold Chain Logistics:
Some challenges encountered in specimen cold chains include:

• Prolonged power outages leading to temperature fluctuations: An uninterrupted power source (and backups when outages occur) is crucial in eliminating temperature fluctuations that threaten the integrity of samples during transport and storage.
• Deterioration of packing and storage materials compromises specimen integrity: Wastage often occurs as a result of structural or equipment failure. Proper backups always have to be in place to protect samples during transport and storage.

How BioTouch Can Help:
BioTouch offers innovative solutions for client supply, cold chain logistics, and technology to support laboratories in today's healthcare environment. Our web-based platform provides management tools for order and distribution, inventory control, specimen tracking, logistics, analytics, and reporting. If you need assistance with managing your specimen logistics, contact us today.