Posts by Rachel Kohn
Compact Vaccine Refrigerators Meet Tight State Regs
Tighter state regulations governing vaccine storage may impose stricter standards than those recommended by the CDC for temperature control and uniformity. Small to medium sized practices may want to check their state regulations for vaccine storage, especially if they participate in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
In response to these new regulations Tovatech offers a new compact vaccine refrigerator line designed for small to medium-size medical practices while retaining external dimensions consistent with popular undercounter and countertop models. This is achieved with thicker wall insulation. Units are available in capacities ranging from 0.8 to 3.4 cubic feet (see table).
Vaccine Refrigerator Performance Specs
All models feature digital thermostats and are temperature stable within 2⁰ of set temperatures. All are equipped with high/low temperature alarms and NIST-calibrated internal temperature readouts to the nearest tenth of a degree.
In accordance with CDC recommendations these vaccine refrigerators feature self-closing shelf-less doors to … Read the rest
Digital HPLC Flowmeter Accuracy Checks
As pointed out in our post on HPLC pump accuracy uniform and reproducible column retention times are critical when analytes are pumped through a high performance liquid chromatography system. One of the most efficient ways of checking on the accuracy of HPLC pump systems is the Flow Cal 5000 digital liquid flow meter available from Tovatech. But how do you check on the accuracy of the checker – namely the Flow Cal 5000?
Flow Cal 5000 HPLC Flow Meter Accuracy Checks
When received from Tovatech the Flow Cal 5000 is accompanied by a UKAS traceable calibration certificate* good for one year. Standard calibration is 1 ml/min but on request it can be supplied at points from 0.5 to 25 ml/min. Multiple readings are taken at each flow rate then averaged on the calibration certificate.
A recalibration procedure should be scheduled annually or immediately if users think the unit is not … Read the rest
Dual-Range Industrial Platform Scales with Bluetooth Interface
Scales used in industrial locations can be exposed to a variety of contaminants as well as stresses and strains during their lifetime.
A new family of dual-range industrial platform scales with high ingress protection (IP) ratings against dust and liquids are ideal for general weighing, piece counting, tolerance weighing and filtering out vibrations in harsh operating environments. The dual-range Kern SXS series, available from Tovatech, features an extremely rugged stainless steel platform structure resistant to bending. The silicon-coated load cell has an IP rating of 67 or totally protected against dust (6) and against temporary immersion (7). The backlit stainless steel display connects to the weighing platform by a 2.5 m cable. Wall-mountable, the display has an IP rating of 68 for continuous use in wet areas.
These rugged industrial scales have 2-second stabilization and can be ordered with an optional wireless Bluetooth … Read the rest
When to Use an Industrial Steam Jet Cleaner
A compact steam jet cleaner can be an excellent solution for chemical-free and environmentally friendly removal of deposits such as oil, lubricants, polishing pastes, waxes, chips and filings from cast, machined and other fabricated parts. High temperatures and pressures produced by an industrial steam cleaner remove contaminants from tight spaces such as threaded blind holes, and precision machined and cut gears faster and more thoroughly than hand cleaning, leaving surfaces residue free. Another benefit of steam cleaning is reduced disposal costs for removed contaminants.
Where higher levels of cleanliness are required a steam jet cleaner can be used to prepare parts for an ultrasonic cleaning cycle. Pre-cleaning parts with steam has the added benefit of reducing contaminant build-up in ultrasonic cleaning solutions.
At the end of the cleaning job the cleaner can be used for rinsing. The advantage is that steam is free of minerals and chemical agents; thus … Read the rest
Glass Front Tabletop Lab Refrigerator with Temperature Alarms
Opening a lab refrigerator to check inventory or retrieve vaccines and biologicals causes an unwelcome interior temperature spike that over time can result in vaccines losing potency. These spikes are more pronounced in a tabletop lab refrigerator typically used in local healthcare clinics and doctors’ offices. A great solution is a glass front tabletop lab refrigerator with audible and visual high-low temperature alarms. Healthcare providers check contents at a glance with the door shut. A switch-activated interior light makes inventory taking easier.
Now available from Tovatech the 2.4 cubic foot capacity Norlake LR031WWG/0 compact table top glass door lab refrigerator features a digital LED display microprocessor temperature control. This allows healthcare personnel to set internal temperatures from +2⁰ to 10⁰C, and it continuously displays content temperature.
The unit is equipped with an internal fan to stabilize cooling and the cabinet is foamed-in-place with … Read the rest
Semi-Micro Analytical Balance Simplifies High Resolution Weighing
The LF-225 DR multi-function dual-range semi-micro analytical balance offered by Tovatech is an ideal solution when highly accurate weighing is required on a regular basis. This balance is crafted in Japan with exceptional quality workmanship. Researchers, jewelers and others can benefit from the readability of 0.01 mg up to a 92 g capacity or 0.1 mg up to a 220 g capacity. Linearity in these ranges is ±0.03 and ±0.02 mg; repeatability is ±0.02 and ±0.1 mg respectively.
The USB port on this Windows® compatible balance simplifies transfer of data to a pc or printer.
Featuring a one-key calibration function the LF-225 DR semi-micro balance has internal weigh chamber dimensions of 6 x 6.25 x 9 inches, an unusually tall space. The novel sliding door mechanism permits users to open the right side glass door with the left hand while placing samples on the weighing … Read the rest
Vaccine Refrigerators for the 2014 Flu Season
The fast-approaching 2014 flu season serves as a reminder for healthcare facility operators to review their vaccine storage practices especially relating to the ability of their vaccine refrigerators to maintain the correct storage temperature. As reported in previous Tovatech posts costs related to loss of vaccine potency due to human error and mechanical failure can be very substantial. Most of these losses occur at the end of the vaccine cold chain – when they arrive at clinics and stored prior to being administered to patients.
Minimizing Vaccine Storage Losses
Human error can be lessened and hopefully eliminated by establishing comprehensive vaccine storage and handling guidelines as suggested in the CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit. Losses related to improper storage temperatures can be minimized or eliminated when refrigeration equipment is designed to maintain tight temperature tolerances. The proper storage temperature for refrigerated vaccines is provided by the manufacturer but normally … Read the rest
Setting Ultrasonic Cleaner Power, Frequency and Time
In addition to using the correct temperature and cleaning solution formulation, achieving optimum results in an ultrasonic cleaning operation calls for a correct “blend” of ultrasonic power, ultrasonic frequency and cleaning time. Absent a proven recipe the three ingredients often are established through experimentation using ultrasonic cleaners that provide the flexibility to vary power, frequency and time.
Indeed, it may turn out that a fixed frequency and fixed power setting do not deliver the desired results. Adjustable power and adjustable frequencies may be the key to optimized cleaning action thereby reducing the time needed to complete jobs and improve operation efficiency.
A Brief Brief on Ultrasonic Power and Frequency
Power in this post is defined as the electrical energy in watts per gallon of cleaning solution delivered to the transducers that provide cavitation action in the cleaner. More power generally means faster cleaning but only to a point, beyond which … Read the rest
Sonic Cleaning Solves 3D Printing Mold Support Challenge
3D printing, also called fused deposition modeling and fused filament fabrication, has revolutionized and lowered the cost of traditional molding techniques such as the lost wax process. By using two moldable thermoplastic formulations such as ABS for the part itself and PLA for removable mold supports 3-D printing is capable of quickly producing highly complex configurations.
A key to the efficiency of the process is fast, safe removal of the PLA mold support without risking damage to the ABS part. An ultrasonic cleaner is proven far faster, safer and more effective than water sprays or manual scrubbing.
3-D Printing in Brief
Computer aided design files for components are programmed into the 3D printer which uses thermoplastic filaments to create components by successively building up extremely thin layers of plastic. The ABS filament ends up as the product; the PLA filament, deposited at the same time, serves as a support for … Read the rest
Understanding the 3 Rs + L of an Analytical Balance
Selecting the correct analytical balance for precise weighing is not an easy task. We’ve covered several key points in previous posts but it’s always a good idea to provide a refresher course – especially as it relates to terminology that is sometimes confusing yet important. In this case it’s the 3 Rs: readout, repeatability and reproducibility plus linearity.
We also provide hints on applying these criteria to selecting a lab scale.
R #1: What’s readout? Also called readability it’s what you can read on the scale’s display panel. Simple enough but in terms of specification you’ll have to decide on what you require in terms of the smallest difference displayed when weighing. Usually its 0.1 milligram but in the case of a semi-micro balance it may be 0.01 mg.
R #2: Repeatability is the ability of a balance to display the same result when an object is repeatedly placed … Read the rest