Cambridge: Researchers Use Smart Fridge

8 October 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 8 October 2013, 18:39

Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge is pioneering the use of an 'intelligent fridge' in laboratories.

It's hoped the machine will give scientists more time to perform vital tests, cut down on admin time and free up lab space.

The innovative fridge and freezer units make use of microchips embedded in the medical products contained in the fridge or freezer, such as tissue typing kits for patients needing transplants. 

These carry a wealth of information including product information, quantity and how many times it has been accessed.
 
This technology, is now in use in other areas but Addenbrooke's is the first organisation in Europe to use the new system from Life Technologies, a global biotechnology company.
 
The fridge and freezer units are being installed today in the genetics and tissue typing laboratories of the hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH). They have been flown in especially from the US where they are manufactured by Life Technologies. 
 
There will be no cost to the NHS Trust during the 12 month pilot project. 

Stephen Abbs, director of genetic laboratories at CUH, said: "It's fantastic as an NHS Trust to be leading the way, as the first organisation in the EU to be piloting this type of technology in a scientific arena.
 
This will bring significant benefits to the way our scientists work in the laboratories, helping them to work smarter and providing a more efficient service for patients."