We provide platelet shakers (registered medical device: blood refrigerator) for Japanese Red Cross Society’s blood centers and large-scale hospitals in Japan. Platelet preparations, which are blood products for transfusion, are preparations made by collecting and concentrating platelets, which have the hemostatic function of blood, through component blood collection. They are used to replenish platelets to stop bleeding or prevent bleeding when there is a decrease in platelet count or decreased function.
Platelet preparations deteriorate faster during storage than red blood cells, making them extremely difficult to be properly managed. Currently, in Japan, platelet preparations are stored at a temperature range of 22+/-2°C with continuous shaking operations. Storing platelet preparations in a low-temperature environment, such as in a refrigerator, can cause problems such as a shortened in vivo platelet lifespan after transfusion and morphological changes in platelets, reducing the transfusion efficacy. Shaking operation is performed horizontally with shaking diameter at 50 mm and the rotation speed at 60 rpm. If the platelet preparations are kept stationary, the platelet aggregation ability will decrease as the pH decreases. Therefore, platelet products should be used as soon as possible after being removed from the platelet storage shaker. To ensure a stable nationwide supply of consistent-quality platelet products, it is essential to use platelet shakers that can constantly and uniformly shake and store them within a certain temperature range. Furthermore, because platelet products rapidly deteriorate in quality due to a decline in platelet aggregation ability when kept stationary, platelet storage shakers must be robust enough to operate without breakdowns.
Our platelet storage shakers boast unrivaled robustness and stability thanks to the shaking technology we have accumulated over many years in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Our unique drive system, which slides the base on four shafts inside the oil bath, allows for low noise and high durability to be maintained over the long term. Furthermore, since the shaker comes standard with an uninterruptible power supply, it will sound a power outage alarm and record temperatures for a set period of time in the event of an unexpected power outage or input power failure.
Our platelet shakers have been highly rated for their long-term product stability and regular maintenance services, including calibration and validation, and have been delivered to many blood centers of the Japanese Red Cross Society, as well as large hospitals across the country. By providing proper maintenance to shakers that are in operation throughout Japan, we will continue to contribute to the stable supply of platelet products in Japan.
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