Control Technology Corporation's automation controller is installed on cryogenic machines developed by CRYO-CELL International of Clearwater, Florida. CRYO-CELL is a cellular storage company currently specializing in the processing and cryopreservation of umbilical cord stem cells for autologous (self) use. CRYO-CELL has pioneered several technologies for long-term specimen storage in a cryogenic environment. This includes their patented computer controlled, robotically operated cryogenic storage system.

The CRYO-CELL U-Cord™ Storage Program involves the collecting and storing of babies' umbilical cord blood, a rich source of stem cells, which can be used to help treat many diseases. Keeping temperature constant within the storage chambers is vital to the success of the U-Cord Storage Program. Controllers from Control Technology are key to maintaining and managing temperature within the chambers. After the umbilical cord is cut at birth, an average of 100 ml of blood is collected, with no pain or risk to mother or baby. The cord blood is processed, tested, recorded and placed in vials for storage in cryogenic, liquid nitrogen cooled, storage chambers. There are two chambers in each system, each chamber holding ten shelves of vial trays. Each storage system can hold up to 31,680 vials of cord blood.

The CTC controller controls a six-axis robotic mechanism located in the storage chambers and at the top of the cooling chamber. The robot provides storage and retrieval of vials based on database information downloaded to the controller by a host PC. Proper positioning is critical: The materials of the robot are affected by exposure in the super-cooled chamber, which is maintained at cryogenic temperatures. The robot must make position offset corrections to compensate for these operating environment conditions.

To insure optimal storage conditions, the controller also senses the internal temperature of each chamber and initiates a fail-safe feature should it be required. If unacceptable variances in temperature occur or liquid nitrogen levels are out of range, the controller automatically dials an emergency telephone number that pages a CRYO-CELL technician and alerts that person so corrective action can be taken.

Storage of cord blood stem cells can give children the opportunity to take advantage of the rapidly evolving medical technology associated with stem cell therapies. For instance, U-Cord stem cells can be substituted for bone marrow for transplants to treat a number of diseases. CRYO-CELL has a joint venture with many hospitals to establish a processing and storage facility in conjunction with the CRYO-CELL U-Cord Program.

Visit CRYO-CELL International at www.cryo-cell.com.