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Broadband Infrared Diagnostics, a company that explores novel routes to early cancer detection with femto- and attosecond metrologies, reports on using the SPL GUARD Arizona in their lab to make the thawing of sample more efficient and ultra-fast.

Herr Dr. Fleischmann is Biorepository Manager at Broadband Infrared Diagnostics near München and conducts research is the field of molecular plant pathology, genetics and cancer biology. For research purposes Herr Dr. Fleischmann mainly processes human plasma and serum samples, but also other sample types like urine. The samples are stored at -80℃. Recently, Fleischmann started using the SPL GUARD Arizona to accelerate the thawing of samples.

Uses and benefits of the SPL GUARD Arizona

For two different applications, Broadband Infrared Diagnostics now uses the Arizona thawing station. One is to thaw 0.50ml aliquots which they receive from clinics. The biorepository was used to thaw a full rack of 96 tubes with 0.5ml aliquots in a water bath of 4℃, which took 1 to 1,5 hours. On top of that, after the water bath, the samples on the sides of the rack where thawed, but the samples in the middle of the rack were still frozen. Using the SPL GUARD Arizona, this thawing process is reduced enormously to only 5-6 minutes. In addition, with the Arizona all samples go through the same temperature treatment when thawing, resulting in consistent thawing of all samples in the rack.

The second application Broadband Infrared Diagnostics uses the SPL GUARD Arizona for, are ongoing measurements with laser spectroscopy. For laser spectroscopy a specific layout of samples is used: 25 samples for measurement and 8 quality control samples in 0.6ml tubes in one SBS-format rack. Without the Arizona thawing took 45 minutes in a water bath of 4℃. Now with the Arizona it only takes 2-2,5 minutes to thaw a full rack.

“The SPL GUARD Arizona stops automatically when the samples reach +4℃. This makes the Arizona the best possible device for sample thawing. Results of usability tests where impressive and therefore I would definitely recommend the SPL Guard Arizona to other labs.”

At some point in the process Herr Dr. Fleischmann and his team must decide if they thaw and measure another batch on that day or stop measurements and postpone it to the next day. Before, with the 45 minutes of thawing, they had to make this decision while the previous batch was still running on the laser system, which was prone to error.

Now, with the Arizona they can wait until the laser system is ready. After every batch, a 20-minute cleaning procedure starts on the laser system.

With the Arizona it is sufficient to thaw the samples and prepare them for measurement in those 20 minutes. That gains an important benefit in their workflow.

About the SPL GUARD Arizona

The new SPL Guard Arizona is a unique single rack thawing system. It can thaw a complete rack of tubes from -80°C to +5°C in only six minutes. When the desired temperature is reached, the SPL Guard Arizona will stop automatically and conforms this with a beeping sound. The thawing station is compatible with a wide range of SBS-format racks from different brands.

For more information about Broadband Infrared Diagnostics please visit: www.lex-photonics.de/bird

The SPL Guard Florida is a multi rack thawing station that can thaw up to 10 ANSI/SLAS racks at once. The SPL Guard Florida can thaw samples at a consistent rate and temperature and reduces uneven thawing to less than 20% per rack. It is the fastest system on the market and thaws 10 racks in as little as 9 minutes and is 60% faster than any other instrument on the market.

The SPL Guard Florida has several adapters to thaw the samples in different formats. There are adapters for ANSI/SLAS racks, 96-well format tubes, centrifuge tubes and the recently added adapter for IVD-Tubes. With the new adapter for IVD-Tubes, you can easily thaw your blood samples on the SPL Guard Florida as well. In the image below you can find the different adapters that you can buy with the SPL Guard Florida.

Do you want a quote or more information? Fill out the form here or send us an email on info@splguard.com

The SPL Guard Florida can thaw up to 10 racks in as little as 9 minutes and can be used as a stand-alone system or integrated into a robotic workstation like a liquid handler. When the SPL Guard Florida is fully loaded with racks, it can thaw samples 60% faster than any other instrument on the market. The SPL Guard Florida can also thaw samples at a consistent rate and temperature, guaranteeing sample quality and sample integrity for downstream research. When using the SPL Guard Florida to thaw samples, researchers can reduce uneven thawing to less than 20% per rack. For other instruments in the market, uneven thawing rates of more than 50% typically happen.

With the new adapter for IVD-Tubes, your blood samples can also be thawed with our Thawing Station.

Contact our sales department for more information at: info@splguard.com

Next to the SPL Guard Florida, SPL Guard is going to expand their portfolio with the SPL Guard Arizona and Alaska soon.

SPL Guard Arizona

The SPL Guard Arizona is a rack thawing station which quickly thaws one SBS format rack or plate and works well within automation processes. The Arizona can measure the temperature of the sample and stops when the sample has reached their desired temperature.

SPL Guard Alaska

The SPL Guard Alaska helps with the gradually freezing of samples. It freezes samples with 1 degree Celsius per minute until -80℃ and can freeze 2 racks or plates at the same time.

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In this tech note, the difference in thawing of H²O samples is explained between the SPL Guard Florida and another brand. The test results show the unmatched speed and efficiency of the SPL Guard Florida compared to the other brand. 

Request the complete tech note here.

New in our portfolio: The SPL Guard Florida

The SPL Guard Florida can thaw up to 10 racks in as little as 9 minutes and can be used as a stand-alone system or integrated into a robotic workstation like a liquid handler. When the SPL Guard Florida is fully loaded with racks, it can thaw samples 60% faster than any other instrument on the market. The SPL Guard Florida can also thaw samples at a consistent rate and temperature, guaranteeing sample quality and sample integrity for downstream research. When using the SPL Guard Florida to thaw samples, researchers can reduce uneven thawing to less than 20% per rack. For other instruments in the market, uneven thawing rates of more than 50% typically happen.

Read more about the SPL Guard Florida here.

SPL Guard is dedicated to the development and production of laboratory equipment for the controlled preparation of biological samples for handling or ultra-low temperature storage. SPL Guard has specialist knowledge in the field of ‘control’ techniques that are used in the life sciences industry. The product portfolio of SPL Guard consists of instruments that prepare biological samples by air and temperature (defrost or freeze) for handling or ultra-low temperature storage. The SPL Guard Florida and Arizona are stations for controlled sample thawing, and the Alaska is an instrument for the controlled rate freezing of samples.