Three-Minute Cold Disinfection for Pathology Labs

Pathology technicians constantly work with live cells and their equipment is exposed to many infectious tissues, resulting in significant risk to users.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Waltham, MA, USA) is using its new cold disinfection feature for laboratory equipment. The technology is now standard with the Thermo Scientific Microm HM550 Cryostat series. The disinfection process is 100 times faster than existing methods and the Microm HM550 cryostat can be used immediately after the disinfection cycle is complete.

The Microm HM 550 is an open top cryostat with ergonomic design for working while standing or sitting. The unit is designed to function in either clinical or research laboratories depending upon how the unit is equipped.

The new cold disinfection option on the Thermo Scientific HM 550 allows fast, safe, and complete disinfection of the cryostat chamber without interrupting workflow. The disinfection system fumigates the cryochamber at standard operating temperature--no warm up is required. The fumigant circulates throughout all areas of the cryochamber without leaving untreated shadows as with UV disinfection. It is deadly to pathogens but completely safe to users.

A disinfectant and virucide that is 99.99 % effective against more than 144 pathogens, the Thermo Scientific cold disinfection feature utilizes Sanosil, a product of Sanosil Ltd. (Hombrechtikon, Switzerland). The disinfectant is nontoxic and noncarcinogenic when used as directed, making it safe for laboratory technicians.

Other solutions require at least a two hour warm-up period followed by a 30 minute disinfection process, or ultraviolet (UV) light which takes at least 30 minutes.

Related Links:
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Sanosil Ltd.