The success of your biobank depends on the integrity of your monitoring system. Are you confident that your samples are maintained within the correct temperature ranges? Do you have enough redundancy in your systems to ensure a problem is escalated quickly and reliably if there is a critical failure? 

Human error, compounded by poorly functioning systems, is the leading cause of asset losses in the life sciences. Just managing a large facility with hundreds of devices can be overwhelming. Add to that the management of multiple systems and ambient parameters, and you often end up with outdated configurations, nuisance notifications and alarm fatigue. 

Once your team is accustomed to ignoring alarms, bad things usually happen.

Biobanking

How We Do It

It takes a coordinated effort to keep everything running smoothly, and when issues start to pile up, the risk of catastrophic failure increases. Your staff can greatly benefit from a dedicated team to help maintain optimal storage conditions, navigate equipment failures, and assist with complex regulatory compliance requirements. That’s where XiltriX steps in. We act as an extension of your team with our 24/7 live agent monitoring and support and broad experience across hundreds of life science environments. We're with you every step of the way, helping you optimize your system to eliminate nuisance alarms, ensuring critical alarms are reliably escalated, and assisting you with supporting documentation to meet compliance requirements. Why go at it alone when you can have an expert by your side any time of day or night, at a fraction of the cost?

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Equipment

Cryotanks (Liquid Phase or Vapor Phase)

Cryobanking is essential for the long-term storage of samples at ultra-low temperatures. Multiple tanks are often integrated with a centralized controller, allowing for seamless monitoring and management across the entire setup.

    • Level Sensors: These sensors continuously measure liquid nitrogen levels, ensuring samples are not exposed to temperatures above the critical threshold. They can also ensure samples are in liquid or vapor phase. 

    • Temperature Sensors: These sensors measure the temperature inside the cryotank to ensure it stays at the limits you require and guarantee there is always liquid nitrogen in the tanks.

    • Digital Alarm Output: We integrate with controllers and automatic filling systems to provide remote, real-time monitoring of critical parameters. Different controllers will have different alarm outputs, so we advise that you consult your vendor about the options for your unit.

Freezers (-20°C, -80°C, -140°C)

Ultra-low temperature freezers are used for different types of storage, each requiring precise temperature control. Monitoring alerts for any deviations that could compromise sample quality is critical.

    • Temperature Sensors: These sensors continuously check the unit for any temperature fluctuations, which is essential for safeguarding sample integrity.

    • Door Sensors: These devices detect when the door is opened, helping to prevent temperature variations that might jeopardize sample stability.

    • Power Consumption: By tracking power usage, these sensors help spot potential performance or efficiency issues. They also support preventive maintenance by indicating when a freezer might require servicing to prevent unexpected breakdowns.

    • Digital Alarm Output: General alerts and system malfunctions can be monitored remotely by integrating with the unit's dry contact or discrete alarm output.

Walk-In Freezer

Walk-in freezers are designed for bulk storage, requiring precise control to maintain their integrity. Depending on the size of the walk-in, it’s important to consult your vendors or quality team to ensure they have the right amount of sensors to have full coverage.

    • Temperature Sensors: These sensors monitor the unit to ensure there are no temperature deviations. This is crucial for sample preservation.

    • Door Contacts: These sensors monitor the status of the doors to prevent temperature spikes, ensuring a stable internal environment.

    • Ambient CO2 & O2 Sensors: These can also be valuable in walk in freezers or fridges that employees frequent to improve workplace safety.

    • Humidity Sensors: These sensors monitor moisture levels to prevent mold build-up.

    • Digital Alarm Outputs: Digital alarms on walk-in freezers can be overwhelming due to the multitude of dry contact alarms these units can offer. To avoid alarm fatigue, it's crucial to carefully select and monitor only the most critical alarms. Understanding your options will help you focus on what truly matters.

Walk-In Cold Rooms

Cold rooms provide controlled environments for storing large volumes of samples at specific temperatures.

    • Temperature Sensors: These sensors monitor the desired room temperature to preserve sample quality.

    • Humidity Sensors: These sensors monitor moisture levels to prevent mold build-up.

    • Door Contacts: These sensors monitor the status of the doors.

Facility

Backup Generators & UPS

Backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are critical to ensure continuous operation during power outages. 

    • Power Supply Status: Monitoring is crucial to confirm that the back up power supply has activated, is supplying the necessary amperage, and that the building (or device) is actually receiving power. Neglecting any of these aspects risks leaving your facility without power during an outage, potentially creating a false sense of security.

Visual/Audible Alarms

Local and visual alarms, including LED indicators and flashing lights, play a vital role in promptly alerting staff to any irregularities in biobanking storage conditions. These alarms ensure that any issues are immediately brought to attention, allowing for swift corrective measures to safeguard critical biological samples.

Environment

Ambient Parameters

Monitoring ambient parameters in a biobank is essential to preserve the integrity of stored samples. Temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors can directly impact the viability and longevity of critical biological materials.

    • Relative Humidity & Temperature (rH&T) Sensors: These sensors ensure that external conditions remain stable, safeguarding the integrity of the samples by preventing fluctuations in humidity and temperature that could affect the storage environment.

    • CO₂ & O₂ Sensors: These sensors are essential for enhancing workplace safety in areas like walk-in freezers or cold rooms that employees frequently access.

XiltriX Sensors & Integrations

Power Consumption Oxygen
Door Contacts rH&T
Humidity Sensors Visual/Audible Alarms
Temperature Sensors Level Sensors
Ambient CO₂ & O₂ Sensors Digital Alarm Outputs

+ Many More

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact our team to speak with an expert.