Market
Human Cell Banking
Client Type
Established equipment OEM (ThermoGenesis)
Unmet Need
The optical periscope is used for biological cryogenic specimen storage and retrieval, and to read specimen barcodes in the tank. The set up and alignment of obsolescent optical and imaging components required many hours in production and could not be efficiently replaced in the field.
Approach
Redesign a previous generation device to improve optical performance, reduce cost, and ensure supply chain.
Product Features
This cryogenic periscope is used to store and retrieve human cell specimens from a vessel full of liquid nitrogen at -320°F. The extreme low temperatures – and radical changes in temperature as the periscope is inserted and withdrawn from the liquid nitrogen bath – presented unique mechanical and optical challenges. A new imaging and barcode reading system was developed using a combination of catalog optical components and custom machined parts. The system provided major improvement in image quality, and reduced assembly and alignment time from several hours to under ½ hour.
Services Provided by OTI
- Optical design and engineering
- Mechanical engineering, including opto-mechanical mountings
- Development of custom fabrication and assembly methods
- Complete documentation set, including all drawings and test objects
- Prototyping, verification testing and transfer to manufacturing