Liquid Temperature Control in Clinical Testing
Authored by: Dr. Dirk Frese, VP of Sales, Marketing & Service
Recent trends in clinical testing at Contract Research Organizations (CROs) reflect a significant shift towards more advanced and efficient practices, particularly in liquid temperature control. Several key factors are driving this evolution, including the rise of Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs), integration of AI and automation, and an increased focus on patient-centric trial designs.
Decentralized Clinical Trials have emerged as an important trend, allowing for remote participation and data collection. This innovative approach makes portable and precise temperature control units necessary to maintain sample integrity across various settings. DCTs leverage digital tools, telemedicine, and mobile health technologies to collect data and communicate with participants, enabling real-time reporting and improved safety monitoring.
By reducing the need for patients to travel to centralized research facilities, DCTs enhance participant accessibility and diversity, ultimately leading to more representative study populations and meeting all the statistical requirements at the heart of any proper clinical trial.
Integrating AI and automation in clinical trials has optimized operations and enabled real-time data analysis. This technological advancement has increased demand for temperature control units with digital interfaces and remote monitoring capabilities.
These features facilitate seamless data collection and enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on data security and privacy, prompting the development of temperature control units with enhanced data logging and secure communication features that protect sensitive information throughout the trial process.
JULABO, a leading manufacturer of temperature control instruments, has been at the forefront of these developments. The refrigerated circulators now offer precise temperature control ranging from -93 °C to +400 °C, meeting the stringent requirements of modern clinical testing. The company has developed compact and efficient models, such as the CF Cryo-Compact series, which are suitable for use in limited spaces or complex installations, addressing the need for flexibility in decentralized trials.
In clinical trials, JULABO refrigerated circulators play crucial roles in different applications:
1. Sample Preservation: Ensuring the integrity of biological samples and pharmaceutical compounds during storage and testing is key for accurate results.
2. Incubation: Providing temperature-controlled environments for cell cultures is essential in cellular and molecular research, where precise conditions are critical for cell viability. Incubators are the instruments of choice here, whereas, for certain stages, water baths like the PURA water bath by JULABO are appropriate.
3. Material Testing: Maintaining consistent conditions for temperature-dependent testing of drugs, like dissolution tests and medical devices, ensures reliability in trial outcomes.
4. Stability Testing: Conducting precise temperature control for stability tests on pharmaceutical products helps determine shelf life and optimal storage conditions. For this application, again, temperature-controlled incubators or climate chambers are the most suitable instruments.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
5. External Temperature Control: Regulating temperatures in reaction vessels or autoclaves during drug formulation and testing phases is essential for maintaining experimental integrity.
6. Calibration: Ensuring the accuracy of temperature-sensitive equipment used in clinical trials is crucial for reliable data collection.
JULABO offers several specific instruments commonly used in clinical testing applications:
1. PRESTO Circulators: High-performance units provide precise temperature control from -80 °C to 250 °C, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
2. CORIO CD Series: Open bath circulators designed for temperature control of measurement cells, heating glassware, and material testing in clinical settings.
Image: JULABO CORIO CD-BC4
3. FL Series Circulators: High-throughput, free-standing systems that can accommodate fluid volumes up to 50 liters are ideal for extensive clinical testing processes.
4. MAGIO MX Refrigerated/Heating Circulators: These powerful laboratory circulators offer high cooling and heating capacities with exceptional temperature stability of ±0.0 1°C.
5. DYNEO DD-1200FW Refrigerated/Heating Circulator: Specifically designed for applications requiring environmentally-friendly refrigerant and temperatures down to -50 °C.
These advancements in liquid temperature control technology enable CROs to conduct more efficient, accurate, and diverse clinical trials that align with the evolving landscape of clinical research.
