A knowledge-based company has designed a liquid nitrogen storage unit for the first time in Iran, which is used to store different types of biological products.
With the production of this storage unit, Iran has joined countries possessing the technology to produce cryogenic tanks.
Liquid nitrogen storage units of different capacities are used for long-term storage of biological products at minus 196 degrees Celsius in pharmaceutical, health, food, medical and laboratory industries.
All types of stem cells, gametes, embryos, human and animal tissues, as well as organs for transplantation, could be stored in these tanks, the news portal of the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology reported.
After nearly two years of follow-up, the Royan Stem Cell Technology Company, in cooperation with a knowledge-based company active in the field of cryogenic tanks, built two liquid nitrogen storage units each with a volume of 1,800 liters.
Until now, only imported liquid nitrogen storage units were used in Iran. Due to US sanctions, their import became difficult and costlier.
The company became operational in 2004 with the aim of providing stem cells for therapeutic and research purposes. So far, the company has been able to store various sources of stem cells, including umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord tissue, fat tissue and dental pulp.
The body of these tanks is double-walled and its vacuum insulation prevents any temperature exchange with the outside environment. For this reason, the temperature of nitrogen inside the storage unit remains constant and it is possible to store various samples for a long time.
The production of these storage units will help meet the needs of research, treatment and laboratory centers in Iran and prevent any significant currency outflow.
The company had purchased more than 50 such units from various foreign companies over the past years. The price of each foreign model is more than $50,000, but the unit is produced domestically at one-third of the foreign counterpart’s price.
After the required standards are issued for these storage units, they will undergo mass production.
Risk-Free ECG Developed
A domestic knowledge-based company has developed a device for performing electrocardiography with higher precision and price advantage over foreign models.
An electrocardiogram or ECG device is one of the most important medical equipment used for measuring a patient's heart functions.
“The simultaneous printing of three, six, or 12 channels on a thermal printer with a paper width of 210 mm is one of the advantages of this Iranian device,” Alireza Davari, CEO of Amwaj Negar Sepahan Company, was quoted as saying by the news portal of the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology.
He also pointed out that the simultaneous display of 12 signal channels on a 7-inch color screen is another key feature of the domestic ECG device.
Protection against defibrillators and isolated inputs from the power grid, direct connection to laser printers through computer ports, capacity to save the signals of 400 patients along with dates and the ability to connect to wireless printers and send signals in the hospital environment through computer networks or telephone lines are other vital features of this ECG device.
“Before the production of domestic ECG devices, Iran imported this device. But currently, the company is able to meet not only the domestic needs for ECG devices, but also undertake export. Iraq, Turkey and Afghanistan are considered export target destinations,” Davari said.
The knowledge-based company employs 15 specialists in its design and production divisions.
The price of the domestic ECG device matches that of the Chinese model, but it costs a quarter of the American model, although it is of the same quality.
Reducing the Risk in Cosmetic Surgeries
Another knowledge-based company has developed a portable scanner used in cosmetic surgeries.
The presence of high quality and standard equipment to reduce risk is of great significance in cosmetic surgeries.
Every year, a large number of foreigners travel to Iran to perform cosmetic surgeries, where the capabilities of the surgeon and the high precision of devices help offer risk-free services.
The 180-360-degree portable scanner for simulating changes in the nose during the surgery and reducing the risk of rhinoplasty has been developed by Pasargad Bonyan Teb Tarah Company.
Also, the manufacture of portable scanners and related equipment for performing eyebrow surgery are among other products of this company.
The knowledge-based company employs 68 people directly and 200 indirectly.
