[Histonet] Freezer for tissue storage

[Hugh Luk]

Dr. Cartun,

Agreed, chest freezers have less frost/door problems/sealing issues and seem to live longer. Stand-ups maximize footprint/space efficiency and allow for easier, horizontal-rack pulling for archiving and inventory.  Due to volume and space constraints, the UH cancer center buys stand-ups.  We have over a hundred.

My personal caution is for the newer Thermo-Revco freezers, especially the ultra-low Thermo UXF in mostly 24.1 cu. ft..  Perhaps this is just our bad luck but an abnormal number failed (7/9), and three were within the first year.  The unfortunate units were purchased over the last four years.  Our bio-engineer has asked us to avoid buying Revco (after endorsing Revco/Harris for many years) and buy New Brunswick/Eppendorf or Sanyo ULT freezers, for the immediate future.  

We're not endorsing Sanyo or New Brunswick, we're just staying away from a brand that has recently given us trouble.  Hopefully, it is different in your area, as Hawaii has logistical issues that may have exacerbated this issue (maybe it was that looong boat trip)?

Just my $0.02.  (And $0.02 will not buy anything, anymore.)

Hugh
UHCC path shared resource manager
Honolulu, HI



> ------------------------------
> 
> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2013 18:51:57 +0000
> From: "Cartun, Richard" <Richard.Cartun <@t> hhchealth.org>
> Subject: [Histonet] Freezer for tissue storage
> To: Histonet <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Message-ID:
> 	<9215BD4B0BA1B44D962A71C758B68D2E018A01C8 <@t> HHCEXCHMB05.hhcsystem.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> I need a recommendation for a -80 degree C. freezer for storing tissue specimens.  Do you prefer upright vs. chest?  Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> Richard
> 
> 
> 
> Richard W. Cartun, MS, PhD
> 
> Director, Histology & Immunopathology
> 
> Director, Biospecimen Collection Programs
> 
> Assistant Director, Anatomic Pathology
> 
> Hartford Hospital
> 
> 80 Seymour Street
> 
> Hartford, CT  06102
> 
> (860) 545-1596 Office
> 
> (860) 545-2204 Fax
> 
> richard.cartun <@t> hhchealth.org<mailto:richard.cartun <@t> hhchealth.org>
> 
> This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message, including any attachments.
> *****************************************