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The challenges that lie ahead of us
The world faces challenges never before seen due to the current global pandemic caused by COVID-19. We all have concerns with what life is going to look like moving forward. Before we start looking too far into the future, we have to deal with the current situation of the lack of testing capabilities. The current backlog of test keeps growing and results typically take 3-7 days to receive. There simply has to be more throughput and facilities capable of receiving and processing a high volume of samples. So, how can genomic centers, clinical labs and healthcare facilities transition from manual low volume sample throughput (2,000 samples, per day) to high throughput testing facilities which can run 10 – 20,000 samples, per day? That’s where instrumentation enclosures come into play.
Getting the facility prepared to handle potential contagious specimens with instrumentation enclosures
First, the facilities on site directors will have to start drawing out plans to adjust airflow and perhaps even build temporary walls to segregate all COVID-19 testing from other areas of the lab and create Cleanroom space. Along with the conversion of lab space, the CDC recommends that the laboratory should be a BSL2 facility, which needs to be taken into consideration during re-design.
Secondly, the facility needs to consider instrumentation enclosures such as BioSafety Cabinets (BSC’s) for sample preparation, where the sample goes through a process called Lysis, which is the breaking down of the cell membrane and aids in the separation of proteins. After this process, the sample is added into a Lysate buffer solution, which helps release soluble proteins. After this, the samples no longer have to be handled within a BSC are able to be transferred into well plates and then can be transferred to a high throughput liquid handling machine to proceed with the process of RNA extraction. All liquid handlers should however be placed in a Containment Ventilated Enclosure (CVE) to protect from potential splashes and any possible aerosolization of the sample.
How to choose the right CVE
First, safety should never be overlooked and therefore the CVE should not only provide protection from spills, but they should also be equipped with H14 HEPA filters to capture any potentially aerosolized pathogens. In addition to having a primary HEPA filter, the CVE, or fume hood, should also have the ability to integrate an added level of H14 HEPA filtration for safety redundancy. To add to the level of safety, the ability to also add Carbon filtration provides should be available in order to add to the level of emissions, which may be generated from the solutions used during the extraction process, such as; chloroform, phenol, and ammonium.
Simplicity by Design
With products designed with simplicity in mind, Erlab’s Captair SMART CVEs require absolutely zero construction and are set-up-in minutes. This is possible due to our unique design, allowing all hoods (CVE’s) to be shipped CKD (Completely Knocked Down) and set-up within minutes of delivery. While simple by design, all hoods are designed with the most important factor in mind – safety. All hoods meet ASHREA 110, AFNOR NFX, and ANSI z. 9 standards, ensuring containment and filtration efficiency.
Inventor of the ductless laboratory fume hood and worldwide leader since 1968, Erlab’s passion is to focus on the research and development, design, and manufacturing of cutting-edge toxic gas air filtration in the laboratory. As an industry innovator, Erlab is committed to safety, performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and has remained number one in the world for ductless fume hoods.
Click below to learn more about Erlab’s Ductless Fume Hood offering and contact LabRepCo today for additional information and pricing.
About Erlab
Inventor of the ductless laboratory fume hood and worldwide leader since 1968, Erlab‘s passion is to focus on the research and development, design, and manufacturing of cutting-edge toxic gas air filtration in the laboratory. As an industry innovator, Erlab is committed to safety, performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability, and has remained number one in the world for ductless fume hoods.
