Cold storage of reagents, IVF, vaccines, living cells and other biologics requires the use of an ultra low temperature freezer. One type used is the mechanical ultra-low temperature freezer. Another well-known type is the Dewar liquid nitrogen freezer.

While blood bank/pharmacy freezers typically store some pharmaceuticals and vaccines between 0 and -20 degrees C, mechanical ULT freezer systems are meant for cold storage of materials between -20 degrees C to -150 degrees C, and Dewar cryogenic LN2 immersion freezers operate down to -196 degrees C. A lesser used approach is a vapor phase Dewar freezer. This type of system stores samples in the vapor region above the base layer of liquid nitrogen at temperatures between -90 and -150 degrees C.

For example, whole blood is usually stored between 2 and 8 degrees in a more traditional freezer. Vaccines can be stored in more traditional freezers down to -20 degrees C, but some need to be stored at temperature down to -86 degrees C. For extremely low temperature cold storage, some samples must be first mixed with cryo-protective agents and slowly dropped in temperature before attaining optimal cold storage to eliminate ice crystal formation and to cease all cell function.

However, once vaccines and other biologic materials are within their required cold storage temperature range, the freezers chamber temperature must be continuously monitored and maintained. Thus, a redundant cold storage backup system is required - one that is independent of the main control and monitoring system. If a multi-function backup system is not used, then any of these critical materials may be at risk.

Fortunately, for mechanical ULT freezers, we offer the CA5000-C Liquid C02 Freezer Power Backup and C02 Backup Injection System and our CA5000-N Freezer Power Backup and  LN2 Backup Injection System. Both systems function as a backup monitoring system and will work with ANY mechanical freezer. They include 24 to 48-hour battery backup operation and can maintain desired internal freezer chamber temperature in the event of a mechanical failure, coolant loss, or power outage; thereby safeguarding your precious biological materials.

Model CA5000 Freezer Monitor/Alarm with Backup LN2 Injection Cooling.
CA5000-C Liquid CO2 Freezer Backup System

For Dewar cryogenic biologic cold storage systems, we offer the Model LD 215 LN2 level detector/alarm. This system is able to accurately detect low liquid cryogen levels (by measuring rising local temperatures due to LN2 evaporation) using a specialized RTD probe positioned above the cryogenic liquid (see below). The unit and probe includes audio and visual alarm indication, an SPDT relay output, a rechargeable battery backup system, user-programmable alarm status indication, an alarm delay feature, and an alarm mute function.

Model LD 215 Ultra Cold Nitrogen Level Detector/Temperature monitor/Alarm.
LD-215 Liquid Nitrogen Level Detector/Alarm