In Vitro Clinic Uses Incubator Monitoring to Prevent Losses

Accsense Wireless Automated Temperature Monitoring

CAS DataLoggers provided the automated incubator monitoring and alarm system for an in vitro fertilization clinic which needed a wireless setup to monitor and alarm several double stack CO2 injection incubators. These medical incubators were used for embryonic implantation stage of the in vitro process as opposed to long term storage. Staff need to maintain the incubators at a constant temperature of 37oC (99oF) and a relative humidity of 99%.

Each incubator is equipped with an external CO2 tank which lasts about a month before needing to be replaced. Sensors are used to determine the CO2 levels inside the incubators to keep them at acceptable limits (about 5% concentration). However, sensor accuracy is vulnerable to temperature and humidity fluctuations within the incubators caused by opening the doors. Therefore this complex setup required an automatic system to monitor and alarm temperature, humidity and CO2 in real time to alert staff of unsafe levels and prevent any losses.

Installation

After taking their call, CAS visited the clinic to install an Accsense system consisting of three Accsense Wireless Current Data Loggers attached to the side of each double stack unit. All the data loggers communicated with an Accsense B1-06 Wireless Data Logger Gateway which was mounted on a nearby wall.

Offering multi-input continual monitoring, each wireless datalogger featured six 4-20mA inputs which were connected to two external temperature and humidity sensors along with two external CO2 sensors to cover each double stack incubator. All the necessary parameters in the incubators were covered by this arrangement. Two external 24V power supplies provided power to the probes. Each data logger’s wireless range extends out to 90’ indoors without obstructions and can also act as a repeater for other logger signals. CAS DataLoggers also provided the clinic with NIST-traceable calibration certificates for a competitive cost.

The wireless gateway uses built-in 10/100BaseT Ethernet to communicate to the Accsense cloud server. The cloud server eliminates any heavy IT burden often found with local server installations. Diagnostic LEDs provide clear status indication. In the event the gateway can’t be reached, individual pods store up to 255 data points until a connection is restored, while the gateway’s 1900-point data buffer further ensures continual data integrity.

Usage

Each logger’s two digital inputs enable monitoring of the door opening and closings including counting of open/close cycles. User-configured alarms also monitor for unsafe temperatures, humidity and CO2 levels and will send email, pager or phone warnings to multiple designees whenever an alarm triggers.

Cloud-based data storage and reporting enables effective monitoring as each pod monitors and logs data, giving staff the ability to view and remotely access data in real-time. The wireless gateway sends all this data to the secure Accsense cloud server. This data can also be downloaded as a CSV file for use with many database applications or for custom reports.

Additionally, the clinic’s online Accsense account gives instant access to charts showing all measurement history with ranges as narrow as 5 minutes or as wide as 90 days. The account also features an interface with a dashboard showing the most recent measurements from all sensor pods. Clinic personnel now retrieve all readings for offline analysis, login to access reports and graphs, and can modify the system setup from anywhere they’re connected to the Internet.

Benefits

Now the clinic relies on Accsense to notify employees when any of the incubator environments are compromised. Whenever this happens, the system makes voice synthesized alert phone calls until staff designees respond and take safety measures. Likewise, the system sends all readings to the cloud so that regulators have proof that best practices were followed. Accsense was particularly cost-effective for this unique application, covering 6 monitoring points and 3 separate values with just 3 data loggers and a gateway.

Accsense can be used for reliable incubator temperature monitoring solution or as part of an incubator validation protocol in clinical or research environments.

For more information on our Accsense systems for clinics, hospitals and cleanrooms for cost-effective medical monitoring, contact a CAS Data Logger Applications Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or visit the website at www.DataLoggerInc.com.

Computer Aided Solutions, LLC. dba CAS DataLoggers is a distributor of data loggers, paperless recorders and data acquisition equipment.

We have the industry’s most complete selection of data logging equipment, with hundreds of different models from more than 18 manufacturers. With data loggers from 1 to 300 channels we can record temperature, humidity, force/strain, pressure, flow, voltage, current, resistance, vibration and other digital signals, in connection with serial (RS-232/RS-485), CAN/OBD or SDI-12 devices. We sell directly to end users and also work through a network of distributors and resellers throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America.

CAS DataLoggers
8437 Mayfield Rd Unit 104
Chesterland, OH 44026

This release was published on openPR.