Platelet Incubator with Agitator

What is the Platelet Incubator with Agitator?

A platelet incubator with agitator keeps platelet concentrates at 22 ± 2 °C while gently rocking the bags to maintain gas exchange. Blood banks and hospital transfusion services use it for storage of platelets for the period allowed by local regulation, usually five to seven days.

Overview

Platelets must not be chilled, since cold causes irreversible shape change and rapid clearance after transfusion. The incubator therefore heats and cools a circulating air stream to hold 20–24 °C, with a tolerance of ±2 °C. A flatbed agitator moves bag trays at about 60 cycles per minute with a stroke of around 35 mm, keeping platelets in suspension and promoting oxygen entry and carbon dioxide escape through gas-permeable bag walls. The controller measures temperature with a buffered probe and drives independent alarms, including agitator stop, door open and power failure. Capacity ranges from about 12 to 96 bags per cabinet. Interiors are usually stainless steel with removable drawers or trays for routine disinfection, and a window allows visual check for swirling.

How does it work?

A blood bank refrigerator uses forced-air circulation over an evaporator so that the whole storage volume stays within a narrow band, typically 4 ± 2 °C. A microprocessor controller reads a platinum RTD or thermistor probe, often immersed in a glycol or glycerol buffer bottle that mimics the thermal mass of a blood bag. Independent high/low alarms, a separate recorder probe and a battery-backed alarm circuit are required so an excursion is detected even during mains failure. Door-open and power-failure alarms, sealed glass or insulated doors and an electric defrost cycle limit temperature swings. Platelet units differ: a thermostatically controlled chamber at 22 ± 2 °C holds a flatbed or elliptical agitator that keeps platelets in suspension and gas-exchanging across the bag wall.

What are the key features?

• Holds 20–24 °C with ±2 °C control
• Flatbed agitator at about 60 cycles per minute
• Alarms for temperature, agitator stop, door and power failure
• Removable stainless steel trays for disinfection
• Observation window for swirling check
• Recorder with data download and optional remote alarm

What are the technical specifications?

A typical platelet incubator with agitator configuration offers temperature range of 20–24 °C, control accuracy of ±2 °C, agitation rate of approx. 60 cycles/min, 35 mm stroke, capacity of 12–96 platelet bags, agitator type of Flatbed, horizontal and net capacity of 100–400 L. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Platelet Incubator with Agitator is used in platelet storage in blood banks, hospital transfusion services, apheresis platelet collection centers and oncology and hematology units. Across the wider Blood Bank Refrigerators class, laboratories also deploy it for red cell and whole blood storage, platelet storage and agitation and hospital transfusion services.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include AABB Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, Council of Europe Guide to the Preparation, Use and Quality Assurance of Blood Components, IEC 61010-2-011, IEC 61010-1, IEC 61326-1 and ISO 13485. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Place the cabinet away from heat sources and leave the manufacturer's ventilation clearance. Allow the unit to stabilize for 24 hours and run a temperature mapping study, with probes at the corners, center and door shelf, before loading blood. Calibrate probes against a traceable reference at least annually and verify alarms monthly. Clean condensers quarterly and defrost drains as required. Keep a written standard operating procedure for alarm response and a contingency plan for power failure, including transfer to a validated backup unit. Retain temperature records for the period required by the regulator or accreditation body, and never store reagents, food or specimens in a unit designated for blood.

How do I select the right Platelet Incubator with Agitator?

Select this variant for any platelet storage, since a standard 2–6 °C refrigerator is unsuitable. Specify bag capacity, tray or drawer arrangement, agitator speed and stroke, alarm set and recorder. Confirm the unit is validated for the platelet bag formats used at your site.

How does it compare with other Blood Bank Refrigerators variants?

Start with the component you store: red cells and whole blood need 2–6 °C, platelets need 20–24 °C with agitation, and each needs its own cabinet. Next size the capacity in blood units (a 450 mL bag is roughly 0.5 L with racking) and choose drawers or shelves to match workflow. Check the temperature uniformity and recovery after door opening, since these determine real-world compliance. Decide on monitoring: a chart or electronic recorder, independent alarm probe, remote alarm contacts and network logging. A glass door helps inventory checks but increases heat gain. Confirm the refrigerant and ambient class for your climate zone, and whether the site requires battery backup, lockable doors or integration with a hospital monitoring system.