Laboratory Freezers for Vaccine Storage

Q&A with Laboratory Equipment manufacturer Across International

How do you see the role of an equipment supplier or manufacturer in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, or any health emergency?

Every community and human being relies at some point on the healthcare infrastructure around them, and that infrastructure relies on professionals and the instruments they work with.  The responsibility of a manufacturer and supplier is not only offering something that meets the specifications; it is about foreseeing equipment features that will make the daily tasks of healthcare workers easier and quicker, so they can get more done with every day that lives depend on them, as well as providing a support structure to make sure they have all the tools they (and their patients) need working.  Temperature precision, uniformity so every sample (and thus patient) receives the same care conditions, medical-grade compliance to meet CDC and VFC guidelines as well as electrical and safety certification standards, and a robust quality assurance and control process are three pillars in the foundation of this effort, as well as a variety of features unique to us.

What are some of these unique features you refer to?

One example is the wide variety of data-logging and communication capabilities Across International offers to make audits and ensuring vaccines or other critical samples were properly stored easy for lab teams. The flagship RapidChill and Glacier -86 C freezers have onboard data-logging that can be exported via USB to track temperature over time, and offer the option of an additional 4-20 mA transmitter for communicating with existing systems in hospitals, freezer farms, pharmacies or drug discovery departments, as well as a-la-carte wireless data loggers that can provide text and email alerts if any alarms are triggered on any of Ai’s cold storage or heat treatment options.  These ULT freezers suitable for Pfizer BioNTech vaccines also have backup batteries to continue reading temperature during a power failure, as well the DeepFreeze -40 C series suitable for Moderna vaccines and the Medical Pharmacy +2-8 C refrigerators suitable for J&J, AstraZeneca, and others seeking FDA emergency approval such as Novavex.

This all makes sense for vaccines fresh from production or already delivered to where they will be administered to recipients at distribution centers, but how do these vaccines get from point A to Z?

Very good question, as many vaccines are unfortunately wasted (or even worse, administered to people anticipating their protective effects, and disappointed or even endangered when their quality has been compromised) due to mishandling in transportation.  Across International applied another of their unique technologies, the VIP vacuum insulated panel made of Micro-Cellular Polyurethane insulation, to the Ai -70 C rated 20 L shipping cube that retains the cooling power of dry ice for up to 72 hours until vaccines are safely delivered to long-term storage freezers or refrigerators.  This same insulation technology, together with some other design features such as double seals, earned several of the RapidChill -86 C freezers Energy Star rating as well.

That brings up a great point that is important not to lose sight of in the pandemic panic; sustainability and the environment.  Does Ai do anything else to contribute to this global initiative other than Energy Star rated equipment?

Certainly, and any conscious customer should question what the companies they buy from are doing for the environment and community around them.  Not only does Across International construct our hardware for maximum temperature retention, accomplishing the goals of good, consistent chilling or heating performance as well as minimizing energy usage maintaining temperatures of the equipment or laboratory they are working in, but Ai uses only environmentally friendly CFC and HCFC free refrigerants, and the latest RapidChill lines use HC refrigerants that chill faster, use less energy and are readily available for recharge.  Finally, Across International is a member of the NJ Seeds board of trustees helping give the next generation of innovators the resources they need to get the education and opportunities to be successful in their career goals.

Earlier you mentioned a support structure to back your equipment, can you tell us more about that?

All Across International equipment is supported by trained engineers available out of three locations in Livingston NJ, Sparks NV and Baywater, VIC Australia, and undergoes a strict inspection process both after manufacturing and before shipment.  Every unit comes with a warranty including parts and labor from trained technicians, while many competitors simply send customers components and expect them to hire local repair technicians that may not be available as urgently as samples like vaccines need them, and are unfamiliar with the equipment once they get there.  Even in excess of industry-leading warranty guarantees, Ai is always there to support the timely answer of questions or quoting after-warranty repairs for no more than a reasonable fee that reflects what it costs.  Scientists sense that Ai has the same values of customer satisfaction they look for in a supplier and a partner in innovation.