A leading supplier of tamper evident solutions has used its expert industry knowledge in order to produce a number of medical bags for use in stem cell research in a hospital in Romania.
The Challenge
The owner of Romanian stem cell bank Freezelife and the Romanian distributor of medical bags Grateco Tehnoplus SRL approached Versapak after collaborating with them previously on tamper evident products. Prior to investing in the custom-made bags, Romanian-based Versapak Alin Ioanes (Factory Manager) noticed that FreezeLife were using an unstable and potentially unsanitary carton box for the transportation of stem cells to and from the centre. After meeting with directors at the centre to discuss dimensions and the exact features a suitable stem cell transportation bag would need to feature, an initial number of prototypes were created before the final bag was perfected.
The Solution
The finalised version of the bag had an implemented stiffener in order to keep it upright and secure during long journeys and a foam-padded gusset for protection of the stem cells. In order to accommodate to the unpredictable Romanian climate, the bag was specially insulated in order to make sure all contents would remain at the same temperature for up to six hours. Commenting on the success of the bag, Ian Denny Anderson, Chairman of Versapak, made the following statement: “It always serves as an enormous sense of accomplishment whenever we are able to produce one-off products such as the FreezeLife bags. Whilst there are no current plans to make any more of the bags for the clinic in Romania, the fact that we could help the hard-working staff make their jobs a little easier serves as a great source of joy.” He continued: “Here at Versapak we are approved to make UN3373 and P650 bags, which in a nutshell are the bags required for the transportation of Category B Biological Substances. We have supplied bags to approximately two-thirds of NHS hospitals, private hospitals and clinics since launching our approved range.”
What is Happening Now?
Since witnessing the difference the stem cell bags have made to the team at Freezelife, Versapak have been speaking to blood cancer and bone marrow charity The Anthony Nolan Trust (www.anthonynolan.org) to gain information in order to develop a new medical bag for use in the process of stem cell treatment.
Information about Grateco Tehnoplus SRL
Grateco Tehnoplus SRL was founded in 1993, and specialises in designing and manufacturing machinery and equipment for the food industry specialising in cryogenics. In 2011, the company has formed a Medical Division and developed the first stem cell bank in Romania.
