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Temperature data loggers play crucial role for MoD

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 15, 2001

Temperature data loggers from Signatrol are playing a crucial role in helping the Medical Supplies Agency validate their packaging methods used in the transportation of blood products for the MOD

With British Forces operating around the world, great importance is placed on the logistical task of ensuring troops, personnel, equipment and vital medical supplies arrive in the right place, at the right time and in optimum condition.

Vital supplies of blood and blood products, as with other critical medication, must be transported and stored within strict temperature limits of +2C to +6C and any excursions from this band will render supplies unusable.

Temperature data loggers from Signatrol are playing a crucial role in helping the Medical Supplies Agency validate their packaging methods used in the transportation of blood products for the MOD.

SL150 logging tags are being employed to travel directly with the portable blood banks on what are considered to be the 'worst of journeys' to areas such as the Falklands, Belize and Sierra Leone.

Individual bags of blood are packed in multiples of five inside outer bags which are in turn packed in non-returnable insulated cartons together with melting ice.

The packaging method is designed to maintain the required temperature for up to 48 hours and the consignment under test has a SL150 logger placed directly in one of the outer bags in order to measure the temperature profile at a predetermined point within the carton.

The SL150 is ideal for such applications and provides a detailed time and date temperature profile.

The data logger is housed in a fully weld-sealed, crevice free, robust hygienic plastic tag which is only 10mm thick.

The unit uses a patented induction technique for set up and data down-load which means there are no plugs, sockets or entries of any kind.

Powered by an internal battery, the SL150 can be programmed to log at intervals from 1 minute up to 255 minutes with a measurement range of -30�C to +70�C.

Comprehensive and user friendly Windows Software provides a simple set up procedure and the unit can be programmed with information such as manifest details, consignment member, destination and flight details.

Once the consignment of blood has arrived at its destination, the logger can be removed and returned to the MSA for analysis.

Stored data is easily downloaded via the base unit to a PC or lap top computer and can be displayed graphically or saved in a standard spread sheet format.

Data is stored in such a way the it cannot be altered or tampered with, thus providing an accurate picture of what actually happened during the journey.

In addition to being used to monitor temperatures of blood during transit, the MSA also use the loggers to validate their fridges for storing blood products and their blood plasma freezers.

A representative of the MSA Blood Supply Department commented: "We are very pleased with the performance and flexibility of the Signatrol data loggers.

The units are extremely quick and easy to set up and use.

Their robust nature makes them almost "soldier proof" and they are providing us with valuable and reliable data in a highly critical area.

We were confident that our packaging methods were more than adequate but its reassuring to have firm evidence.

However, we are never complacent and the loggers will continue to travel in future consignments of blood around the world." The SL150 is just part of Signatrol's extensive range of standard and bespoke data loggers and recorders.

Signatrol is the dedicated data logging division of Status Instruments.