FAQ
- 1. What advantages does the system over conventional systems?
- 2. Which sample formats can be processed in general?
- 3. What are the advantages of samples with electronic memory chips?
- 4. What formats can be equipped with electronic memory chips?
- 5. What are the advantages of storage in the gas phase above liquid nitrogen?
- 6. What is the advantage of the temperature range ≤ -130°C?
- 7. What means a closed cooling chain?
- 8. What is the consumption of liquid nitrogen?
- 9. Is the ASKION C-line® medically approved?
- 10. How effect the installation on an existing laboratory system?
- 11. What services are provides ASKION as a system supplier?
1. What advantages does the system over conventional systems?
- a closed cooling chain
- minimal ice formation
- PC controlled tracking system for sample and process data
- semi-automated probe handling with motorized lift system
- customized freezer system
- open and modular system for probe formats and storage capacity
- configurable software interface to different LIS/ HIS systems
- error minimization by SOP based/supported user guide (Standard Operating Procedure)
- automated logfile writing
- built-in emergency handling
2. Which sample formats can be processed in general?
- vials of all sizes and vendors (e.g. NALGENE, NUNC, SARSTEDT, BRAND 1…5ml with internal or external thread)
- vials with integrated memory chip “ICEBREAKER“ by PERMA CRYO TECHNOLOGIE (www.perma-cryo.com)
- blood bags in cassettes of all common vendors (e.g. MILTENYI, FRESINIUS DF200, MACOPHARMA, BAXTER) sizes up to 200 mm length (conforms with 100 ml filling volume)
- straws (e.g. CRYOBIOSYSTEM)
3. What are the advantages of samples with electronic memory chips?
- firm connection between the sample and data
- captive position of the samples inside the cryo tank
- logfile writing
- fast inventory of the storage tank
- easy local reading of sample data without access to the external database
- prevention of falsifying samples
4. What formats can be equipped with electronic memory chips?
- All common storage systems can equip with electronic memory chips. Available are adapters for tubes (ca. 1-2ml) from common vendors. (e.g. NUNC, GREINER, SARSTEDT)
5. What are the advantages of storage in the gas phase above liquid nitrogen?
- no risk of samples contamination
- lower stress on the sample containers because no aging effects caused by liquid nitrogen
- lower consumption of liquid nitrogen
6. What is the advantage of the temperature range ≤ -130°C?
- According to scientific studies the shelf life or survival rate of certain organic materials (e.g. cells) compared to storage at -80° C is increased significantly.
- At -130° C the activity of the samples decreased strongly; even lower temperatures, these parameters increase only slightly, resulting in a cost-benefit ration.
7. What means a closed cooling chain?
- Samples do not contact with the environment (humidity) during the entire handling inside ASKION C-line® equipment; this will minimize the formation of ice.
- The temperature is constantly under -100°C (adjustable) during all handlings steps.
8. What is the consumption of liquid nitrogen?
- hermetic storage: standby ca. 10 kg/day operating ca. 50 kg/day
- work bench: operating ca. 20 kg/day
9. Is the ASKION C-line® medically approved?
- Hermetic storage und work bench are also available as medical devices, confirm with European Directives class 2A applied harmonised standards 93/42.
- „ICEBREAKER“-vials are medical devices class 2A applied harmonised standards 93/42.
10. How effect the installation on an existing laboratory system?
- In general each single part of ASKION C-line® System can be integrated in a existing laboratory system.
- The data connection is realized by a customized interface.
11. What services are provides ASKION as a system supplier?
- ASKION offers expert advice, installation and service
- technical advice for planning of the laboratory facilities
- supplying accessories and spare parts