Creating a safe ultra-low cold storage environment

Ultra-Low Freezer, or ULTs, are medical cold chain solutions commonly used to store clinical and research samples at temperatures reaching down to -86°C for extended periods of time. By severely slowing down metabolic and other biochemical processes in a cell, these freezer units can easily maintain the integrity of cells and other complex samples such as genetic material.

However, the reliability offered by such cooling solutions varies by product: these must be validated to demonstrate ultra-low temperature uniformity and stability at the set temperature, while safety during the cooling cycle must be assured to prevent thermal transients occurring due to unauthorised access to the ULT. A validated, temperature-monitored, Ultra-Low Freezer is often the best way to achieve the required level of reliability, safety, and control, although precautions such as cryoprotective agents and proper freezing procedures are necessary to minimise any risk of sample damage during these processes.

Reliable Ultra-Low Freezers
B Medical Systems S.à r.l is a global manufacturer and distributor of innovative medical refrigeration solutions and a global leader in the medical cold chain. With over 40 years of experience, the company continues to innovate the medical refrigeration industry with its products, ensuring that samples, pharmaceuticals, compounds and more have the reliable cold storage environment they require.

The company offers a wide range of Ultra-Low Freezers among its products, varying in storage capacity. The major feature offered by these models is the ?exibility in the operating temperature range as they can reliably store different thermosensitive specimens at temperatures between -86°C and -20°C, effectively allowing these models to also act as a normal medical freezer if required.

Other key features include the advanced cooling system, allowing a uniform and even temperature distribution which, along with insulated inner doors, improved gasket seals and strong insulation, ensures a reliable storage environment for optimal sample safety. Moreover, these products provide a rapid pull-down, superior 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 ef?ciency, allowing these units to help reduce the vast energy consumption usually related to these types of products. The company’s ULT models are Class II(a)/Class II medical devices (EU MDR and US FDA), conform to EU F-Gas and US SNAP regulations, and have Energy Star certi?cation on certain models.

These models are renowned worldwide for their safety, quality, reliability, and energy ef?ciency. B Medical Systems’ products are used all over the world for advanced research in multiple fields, including microbiology and gene and cell therapies.

This article was originally published in European Biotechnology Magazine Spring Edition 2022.