Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced that its Thermo Scientific HM550 Cryostat with cold disinfection has been chosen as an R&D 100 award winner by an independent judging panel and the editors of R&D. The award recognizes the HM550 Cryostat as one of the most technologically significant products to enter the marketplace this year. The system distinguished itself among other entries due to its ability to dramatically reduce laboratory staff health risks as they interact with live cells and infectious tissues. This benefit is a direct result of the instrument's capability to instantly disinfect the entire cryo chamber in three minutes.  

Alternative methods of disinfection require a minimum two-hour warm-up period followed by a 30-minute disinfection process, or UV light which also takes at least 30 minutes. In comparison, cold disinfection efficiently removes aerobic bacteria and fungi in only three minutes. In addition to improving the safety of laboratory work conditions, the speed of cold disinfection dramatically reduces work flow interruption, as the HM550 Cryostat is safe to use directly after the disinfection process is complete. This new cold disinfection technology functions 100-times faster than previously existing disinfection methods, greatly increasing efficiency and overall throughput.  

The Thermo Scientific HM550 Cryostat's pioneering cold disinfection technology uses Sanosil^® (Sanosil Ltd., Switzerland), a strong disinfectant and virucide that is proven to be 99.99 percent effective when fighting more than 144 pathogens. As a result, users can confidently work with the knowledge that their cryostat is hygienic and safe. The R&D 100 award also acknowledged that unlike other methods of chemical disinfection, which can produce toxic compounds that are dangerous when inhaled in high concentrations, Sanosil is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, ensuring the health and safety of lab technicians.  

"We are delighted to have been selected for the R&D 100 Award. Thermo Fisher Scientific recognizes the invaluable service provided by laboratory staff, and the development of the HM550 Cryostat is a testament to our commitment in ensuring continued safety within all laboratories," said Giulio Cerroni, vice president of commercial operations for anatomical pathology in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific at Thermo Fisher Scientific. "The competition has been particularly strong this year so it is a great compliment to the Thermo Scientific HM550 Cryostat with cold disinfection to be acknowledged by industry leaders as one of the most valuable and significant products released to the market."  

R&D will honor the Thermo Scientific HM550 Cryostat project team during a Gala Awards Banquet on November 11, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. For more information about the winning innovations and award criteria, please visit www.rdmag.com 

For more information about the new Thermo Scientific HM550 Cryostat with cold disinfection, please call + 44 (0)800 018 9396 or visit www.thermoscientific.com/pathology 

Sanosil is a registered trademark of Sanosil Ltd. 

Thermo Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science.