Calibration is the comparison of an instrument's actual measurement performance to a standard of known accuracy. Calibration performed on an instrument can document the deviation of a measurement from the known standard, or it can include adjusting the instrument's measurement capability to improve measurement accuracy. International committees define standards for calibration.
The most basic requirement of a calibration is the proof of traceability. Traceability is defined as an unbroken chain of comparisons, all having stated uncertainties between your measurement and some nationally or internationally accepted standard
A powerful tool for implementing and managing your hygiene monitoring program 3M™ Clean-Trace™ NG Luminometer is used with the Clean-Trace™ ATP surface test and water tests to determine the level of contamination in a sample, Results are available in seconds. It has all the features to maximize its value to your business.
Particle counts are an extremely important consideration when designing an IVF lab. Gametes & embryos should be handled in a class 100 hood and the lab should be preferably of class 1000.
Particle count is probably one of the best tests to verify your system cleanliness. While it is an excellent method for determining the number and size of particles being generated, particle count won't tell you what the particles are but will help you to know how favorable your lab is for the growth of an embryo.
The major problem with particles is that they originate from some sources like paint chips, dirt, and fecal matter. The particles that are an amalgamation of chemicals and/or bacteria can severely compromise the lab results.
HEPA filters (HIGH EFFICIENCY PARTICULATE AIR filters) are made of 100% glass microfiber. These filters block particles of 0.3microns and above at a minimum efficiency of 99.97%. Air which exits out of a HEPA filter is class 100. HEPA filters are used in applications where a dust free and a sterile environment is needed.
As HEPA filters remove sub-micron particles and the HEPA filter being delicate, it can get damaged even while storing. To ensure that the HEPA filters installed in the equipment like AHU/labguard/laminar/ air purifiers etc are not damaged, certain tests need to be done. They are air velocity checking, HEPA filter pressure drop test & HEPA filter integrity test (PAO Test).
HEPA filter integrity test procedure: the filter is challenged with known aerosolized particles of 0.3micron and larger PAO on the upstream side and checked downstream using a photometer probe. If there is a leak in the filter, the particles are sensed by the scanner of the photometer and displayed as leak on the LED screen. If the leak is more that 0.03%, the filter is supposed to have failed and needs replacement or attention.
A very "critical" parameter in embryo culture is "precise" monitoring. Fluctuations in temperature even by a fraction of a degree can result in numerous culture suboptimal embryo formation and/or at times a stage referred to as "developmental arrest".
All "temperature related gadgets/equipments" like incubators, test tube warmers, heating tables, heating plates etc. should be precisely maintained at the "ideal" required level. Failure to do so will end up in a disaster.
The main equipment which "cultures" the embryos, the "INCUBATOR", hence rightly called as the heart of the IVF lab would be optimally productive if the circulating/infused CO2 gas is of the ideal proportion or what we refer to it as percentage. An ideal culture environment created by precise temperature, accurate percentage of CO2 gas and ambient humidity helps in maintaining optimum "pH" of the resulting in uncompromised embryo growth. This makes routine CO2 check of your incubator, a mandatory exercise.