Cryo Banking and Cord Blood StorageAutologous bone marrow transplants in cancer treatment have been used for some thirty years – and Planer, of Sunbury, UK, pioneered controlled rate freezing of the cells – an essential step prior to cryogenic storage. Recently, trials using stem cell therapy have been undertaken and transplants of stored stem cells used to treat cases of leukaemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anaemia, and other illnesses; however availability of tissue and its matching from donor to patient are ongoing problems.

Stored blood from umbilical cords is also a promising source of haematopoietic progenitor cells - the type of stem cells found in bone marrow and peripheral blood. Created during the early stages of human development they have the potential to become specialised cells - such as red or white blood cells - which could be used to replace damaged or abnormal blood cells in an alternative to bone marrow transplantation. The potential benefits of stem cell transplantation are that the cells are immediately available and, in the case of patient banking, genetically identical.

Unlike the collection of blood, which is tested, typed, bagged and then refrigerated, storing and processing cord blood is more complex; it must also be processed within 48 hours of birth which adds to the difficulty. The cord blood sample is tested for bacterial and fungal infections, and the mother’s blood is also tested. The cord blood is tested for antigens, unique immune system markers, and is then controlled rate frozen prior to cryo storage at -196 C. Transplanted cord blood stem cells theoretically pose a lower risk of graft versus host problems because cord blood stem cells will not yet have fully developed antigen markers.

Over twenty public tissue storage banks have been established in the United States to collect, store, and distribute donated cord blood and there are some thirty private ones. In the UK there are some six principle private companies that offer cord blood banking. A leading UK independent bio storage facility, BioVault, insists on accurate controlled rate freezing in the preparation of cord blood samples before liquid nitrogen storage. Paul Giles, Operations Director, uses Planer step freezers because of their accuracy and reliability. “These units are calibrated frequently against national standards and have proved that they provide very accurate freezing profiles, and do so with high repeatability” he said. “They have also proved robust, the only damage beyond predictable wear and tear being sustained accidentally.”

  • Downloads +

  • Features +

    Level measurement & control Temperature Measurement User interaction & alarm output
    PD: pressure differential sensor for real
    time level display (10mm accuracy)
    Real time level display (10mm accuracy) Via a TFT touch screen (320x240
    pixels)
    4P: Four negative temperature
    coefficient sensors (level: extra high, high, low and extra low)
    Two PT100 temperatures sensors with one degree accuracy (K/F/C) Visual on display level of Liquid
    Nitrogen + both probe temperatures in
    Two fill valve - safety Two point temperature sensor calibration Alarm visual in a different colour + with
    first help indications/options
    Two gas-bypass valve   Audible alarm
    Two point pressure differential
    calibration
      NC/NO remote alarm, Ethernet /RS485
    alarm options

     

    Alarm types Communication Basic controllers options
    Level alarm high / low USB port for controller diagnostics Level read out and control - manual or automatic
    Temperature alarm high / low Two RS485 ports for communication with other controllers Temperature read out and alarm
    Fill time alarm One ethernet port for alarm/monitoring and or logging purposes Timed / One fill all fill / simultaneous and cascade filling options
    Usage alarm   Defog option / quick cool options
    Gas bypass time and or temperature alarm Logging Features Lid open alarm
    Sensor fault Logging files stored on SD card. Nitrogen and temperature levels, fill Liquid usage control
    Mains fault   Battery back-up
    Lid open alarm    
  • Benefits +

    • Compatible with all brands of tanks
    • Compatible with ReAssure
    • Allows one fill all fill between different tanks
    • Touchscreen
    • Log data from controller
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The Planer Cryogenic Storage range is offered to the international market. 

Please contact us to get further information.

Vessel News

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Planer Limited

110 Windmill Road
Sunbury-On-Thames
TW16 7HD
United Kingdom

+44 1932 755000
Contact Us