Fast Track Conversion for Clinical Processing Lab
Conversion to enable large scale COVID-19 Testing at facilty
INDUSTRY
Clinical Laboratory
LOCATION
Cambridge, MA
PRODUCT
Ductless Filtering Fume Hoods:
(3) standard Erlab Captair 392 units
(2) Erlab Captair 714 units with modified rear panels for liquid handling apparatus.
PROCESS
Lab needed additional Containment Ventilated Enclosures (CVE’s), to give their team the ability to process 2,000 samples a day, or more, adding to the capacity of testing labs across New England and reducing the time it takes to turn results around from several days to several hours.
“ERLAB EQUIPMENT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN SAFETY AND INDOOR AIR PURIFICATION
APPLICATION AREA
Clinical Processing Lab
Based in Cambridge, MA, this prestigious research institute is an international leader in the field of genomics, chemical genetics, and cell biology, conquering major challenges inherent in molecular medicine. Scientist from many fields collaborate with shared experiences to transform and advance research projects. Their goal includes accelerating the pace at which the world conquers disease – no small task!
The Institute’s scientific areas include: Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Drug Discovery, Genome Regulation, Cellular Circuitry and Epigenomics, Immunology, Medical and Population Genetics and Metabolism. Their technology areas include; Data Sciences, Genetics Perturbation, Genomics, Imaging, Metabolomics, Proteomics and their disease areas include; Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Infectious Disease and Microbiome, Kidney Disease, Obesity, Psychiatric Disease and Rare Diseases.
THE CHALLENGE
Addressing the current pandemic need for testing, the Institute joined forces with major local universities, hospitals, and ambulance services to test all residents and staff members at homeless shelters, and nearby nursing and assisted living facilities for COVID-19. These test results give the city the ability to quickly respond to outbreaks. It was decided that the CLIA-certified lab could process test samples with the goal of returning results back to physicians. Originally the scientists followed the CDC’s testing protocol, which was designed for labs to perform manually at a low throughput, so that it could be run on the facility’s automated liquid-handling machines.
As tests take approximately 12 hours to complete and 24 hours to return results, it became clear that the institute, who converted a clinical processing lab into a large scale COVID-19 testing facility, needed more equipment and instrument enclosures – fast. Specifically, the liquid handlers they owned needed to be up and running in quality safety enclosures with HEPA filtration – delivered quickly and without HVAC requirements. Getting the necessary quantity of high-quality ductless filtration fume hoods, also know as Containment Ventilated Enclosures (CVE’s), would give their team the ability to process 2,000 samples a day, or more, adding to the capacity of testing labs across New England and reducing the time it takes to turn results around from several days to several hours.
THE SCOPE
The Institute was in dire need of instrument enclosures that fit the parameters of their equipment and specifications for safety, as well as timely installation. Their initial search for a solution proved frustrating with less than satisfactory options. Proposals were rejected due to long delivery times, inability to provide the type of custom design, or modification capability to retrofit equipment for use with their existing liquid handlers. In the course of their vendor search however, they reached out to New England Laboratory Systems, one of Erlab’s partners, who brought the plight of their challenge to our attention.
Collaboration and getting it done Within 24 hours the project’s inherent issues had been reviewed and a quote had been offered, and accepted, that provided a solution meeting all the Institute’s criteria. Collaboration is key in successful business strategies and working with experienced, like minded companies ensures that a strong network of support is ready for emergency situations where response time is critical. In this instance Erlab teamed up with Plastic Concepts of North Billerica, MA, to design and produce the modified enclosures. In the short span of five business days the Institute received three standard Captair 392’s for their Agilent Bravo liquid handlers and within seven business days they received two Captair 714’s with modified rear panels to house the Institute’s Hamilton Micro Lab liquid handlers. What would typically require a turnaround of at least fourteen business days was accomplished within seven days through the collaborative efforts of Erlab, PCI, and New England Laboratory Systems.
THE SOLUTION
Determination beats ‘Murphy’s Law’ If we are discussing Murphy’s Law (the saying that: anything that can go wrong will go wrong) the reader can assume that circumstances beyond human control attempted to derail the mission. As it happened, the freight company delivering three of the Captair units suffered an outbreak of COVID19, and as a result, the Erlab equipment had to be quarantined at a transfer station, with the very real possibility of being held over one week past anticipated delivery. This was not acceptable to the Erlab team who were determined to deliver as promised. The decision was made to
pull three new units from inventory, calibrate them and devise a plan with the Institute and their installation team to pick up the units from the Erlab facility the very next day after the quarantine lock down was announced. Calling once more on the installation team at New England Laboratory Systems, the units were delivered on-time and set-up for operation in the Institute’s facility in two hours.
Captair 714
Safer to operate
– Erlab’s advanced carbon filtration technology and/or HEPA/ULPA accommodates your specific needs
– Meets AFNOR NF X 15 211/ANSI Z9.5-2012 filtration efficiency standard (class 1 and 2)
– Sensors that detect filter breakthrough of solvents, acids or formaldehyde
– Safety back up filter in case of main filter saturation
– Continuous monitoring of Air face velocity
– Erlab Safety Program: application analysis and validation, usage certification, filter change reminders
Simpler to use
With Smart Technology, you can easily see that the hood is operating safely. Should the light pulse you are notified that:
– Containment has been compromised or,
– The filter has breakthrough or,
– There is a Fan failure
Flexibility
– The configurable filtration column will accommodate application changes
– No ductwork needed. This allows you to move the hood anywhere.
Savings
– No ductwork cost
– Annual energy costs decreases significantly
– Energy savings outweigh filter replacement costs.
Environment
– No dangerous chemical released into the atmosphere
– Low energy consumption
Captair 392
Safer to operate
– Erlab’s advanced carbon filtration technology and/or HEPA/ULPA accommodates your specific needs
– Meets AFNOR NF X 15 211/ANSI Z9.5-2012 filtration efficiency standard (class 1 and 2)
– Sensors that detect filter breakthrough of solvents, acids or formaldehyde
– Safety back up filter in case of main filter saturation
– Continuous monitoring of Air face velocity
– Erlab Safety Program: application analysis and validation, usage certification, filter change reminders
Simpler to use
With Smart Technology, you can easily see that the hood is operating safely. Should the light pulse you are notified that:
– Containment has been compromised or,
– The filter has breakthrough or,
– There is a Fan failure
Flexibility
– The configurable filtration column will accommodate application changes
– No ductwork needed. This allows you to move the hood anywhere.
Savings
– No ductwork cost
– Annual energy costs decreases significantly
– Energy savings outweigh filter replacement costs.
Environment
– No dangerous chemicals released into the atmosphere
– Low energy consumption
THE RESULT
Erlab’s shared philosophy of ‘never giving up’ has served them well as the inventor and innovator of the ductless filtering fume hood for over 50 years, and positioned them as the industry leader. It is a mindset that does not recognize failure but only sees challenges as opportunities to shine. They are backed by an innovative research and development group constantly striving to find a better way, and supported by dedicated employees and collaborative partners working together to make the world a safer place, to live, work, and breathe. With every new challenge Erlab creates believers, like the research institute in Cambridge, whom it is our honor to assist in their mission to conquer disease. We congratulate and welcome them into the Erlab family of clientele who make a positive impact on the world. Erlab looks forward to a long friendship and our next opportunity to serve the Institute as they are currently considering the purchase of two more modified enclosure units to house their Lynx liquid handler
ABOUT ERLAB
We provide safety, we protect your health
Erlab invented the ductless fume hood in 1968. With more than 50 years of experience in the field of chemical filtration and protection of laboratory personnel; we know the formula for safety. With Erlab, you will never have to wonder or worry if our products are safe. We build each one of the following 7 ingredients into our products, and without all of them, your health and safety will be compromised.
ERLAB R&D LABORATORY
The engineers and chemists in our state-of-the-art R&D laboratory understand molecular filtration. We are committed to designing products that are safe and of the highest quality, strive to improve our products, and continuously develop new products that provide greater protection in the laboratory.
STRICT SAFETY STANDARDS
We hold ourselves to the highest standard and adhere to the strict AFNOR NF X 15-211: 2009 filtration safety standard as endorsed by ANSI Z9.5-2012.
A PUBLISHED CHEMICAL LISTING
It all begins here. Without this listing, we are not compliant with AFNOR NFX 15-211. Our in-house laboratory tests, as well as independent testing, to verify the retention capacity of over 700 chemicals for our filters.
INDEPENDENT TESTING
Erlab filters have been independently tested multiple times at various concentrations guaranteeing that our safety solutions all adhere to the strict performance criteria of theAFNOR NF X 15-211:2009 standard assuring that the emission concentration at the filter exhaust will always be lower than 1% of the TLV.
APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE (VALIQUEST)
Our laboratory specialists will recommend the appropriate filtration fume hood, type of filter, and personalized advice.
CERTIFICATE OF VALIDATION FOR THE CHEMICALS USED IN THE HOOD
A certified PhD chemist issues a Certificate of Validation with a list of the chemicals approved for use in the hood.
Our Safety Program
We back up our products 100%. This program includes your specialized chemical evaluation, validation of your hood upon installation, and a filtration safety specialist at your service to ensure that your hood is operating to its full potential.
