Blood samples contain numerous components such asred blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. To ensure the integrity of stored whole blood samples, it is important that the collection, processing, and storage of these components are performed in such a way as to maintain their structural integrity.
When it comes to the separation of all the various blood components, centrifugation is used to divide the red and white blood cells from the blood plasma. Once this process is completed, all these samples require storage at precise temperatures to avoid the denaturation of important molecules and ensure they can be used effectively in therapies or scientific research.
What is a Blood Cold Chain?
The blood cold chain is a network of medical refrigerators, freezers, and transport solutions tasked to always keep blood and blood components at their intended storage temperature, from the moment of the donation until the sample’s use.
B Medical Systems offers a comprehensive selection of medical devices to assist companies and institutions handling blood samplesin maintaining an uninterrupted blood chain. Thecompany’s portfolio comprises Blood Bank Refrigerators, Plasma Storage Freezers, Plasma Contact Shock Freezers, Ultra-Low Freezers, and Blood Transport Boxes.
A blood cold chain, depending on the variety of samples it needs to freeze, store and transport, can be a very complex network of devices to set up, and knowing when and how to use each product is critical.
Blood Bank Refrigerators
The Blood Bank Refrigerators from B Medical Systems are equipment designed for the secure preservation of blood and blood components at temperatures between 2°C and 6°C.
Offering a controlled air-cooling system for a uniform and stable temperature distribution within the cabinet, a fast temperature recovery even in the case of frequent door openings, and an extended autonomy in case of power failure, these products are designed to be the backbone of any blood management institution. Highly precise and offering great energy efficiency, these refrigerators are Class II(a) medical devices and offer the °B Connected universal software for remote monitoring, reporting (in compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11), and long-term archiving.
Moreover, B Medical Systems offers two Blood Bank Chest Refrigerators, one operating on AC power, and one equipped with the company Solar Direct Drive technology, allowing it to draw power from the sunlight. These two models are excellent choices for any blood storage need in remote locations around the world.
Plasma Contact Shock Freezers
B Medical Systems’ Plasma Contact Shock Freezers make it easier for blood banks and blood transfusion facilities to quickly freeze plasma in accordance with medical standards. The largest model can cool down 48 bags of 350ml to a core temperature of below -30°C in less than 30 minutes, which is one of the fastest freezing periods on the market.
Both variants, the CSF61 and CSF101, are classified as medical devices in Class II(a) and ensure a superfast freezing cycle by having the cooling plates inclined at 5°, ensuring the homogenous cooling of the bags even in cases of their uneven filling or the presence of air bubbles.
Plasma Storage Freezers
B Medical Systems offers a variety of plasma storage freezers designed for the reliable storage of frozen blood plasma or blood components at temperatures below -27°C. The seven upright freezers are specifically designed for blood banks, hospitals, clinical laboratories, and plasma processing facilities, offering a wide range of volume storage and temperature needs. These units are all Class IIa medical devices.
Ultra-Low Freezers
Ultra-low freezers, or ULTs, are specialised refrigerating equipment created to store samples at ultra-low temperatures.By offering storage temperatures ranging from -86°C to -20°C and energy efficiency, B Medical Systems’ ULTs create an ideal environment for the long-term storage of extremely temperature-sensitive biologicals, making its products perfect for use in laboratory or clinical environments.
These ULTs have a variety of other characteristics and features outside the variable setting point, however. The advanced cooling system allowing a constant and even temperature distribution, coupled with insulated inner doors, improved gasket seals and the strong insulation, ensure a reliable storage environment for optimal sample safety. Moreover, these products provide a rapid pull down, strong door opening recovery and holdover times, which help guarantee a stable internal temperature during door openings and even adverse events.
B Medical Systems’ ULTs also use natural green refrigerants to reduce their environmental impact while increasing their overall cooling efficiency, allowing these models to help reduce the vast energy consumption usually related to these types of products. The company’s ULT models are class II medical devices (EU MDR and US FDA), conform to EU F-Gas and US SNAP regulations, and the Energy Star certification is also available on some of them.
These models are renowned worldwide for their safety, quality, reliability, and energy efficiency.
Blood Transport Boxes
B Medical Systems’ Blood Transport Boxes range includes six robust containers ranging in gross volume from 2.2 litres to 90 litres and includes both passive and active units. These models offer a temperature storage ranging from -32°C to 37°C (when using eutectic elements) and share the same construction form with polypropylene outer and inner layers and polyethylene foam insulation between them. These products are certified as Class IIa medical devices intended for the safe transport of blood and other blood components (e.g. blood cells, plasma, platelets) in a temperature-controlled and secure environment, and offer a wide range of transport solutions in terms of temperature requirements. The MT range consists of five passive boxes with the option of adding eutectic cooling elements, and one active unit working with a compressor.
