Monday January 17, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
Foam trays upon which to deliver pre-drawn, single dose vials of COVID-19 vaccine products have been developed at Camosun College.
Here on south Vancouver Island, the applied research department at Camosun College – Camosun Innovates designed and manufactured the foam trays that are being used to safely transport up to seven syringes containing a pre-drawn, single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Specially designed and manufactured foam trays keep syringes containing the vaccine absolutely stable and protected,” explains Matt Zeleny, Applied Research Technologist.
The substances in the syringes can be any substance, including flu shots. The tray compartments each hold a standard 2 cc syringe. The tray design accommodates any desired measurement of dose as the cavity for each syringe has space for the plunger to be fully drawn, explains Camosun media relations rep Rodney Porter.
“Camosun Innovates is pleased to continue helping the roll-out of the immunization program in any way possible, especially with so many people now looking forward to their booster shot.”
Keeping syringes steady:
Once a COVID-19 vaccine vial is punctured it cannot be transported except in a syringe. The specially designed foam trays stop the doses from rolling around or the accidental depression of the plunger. The foam trays are manufactured using a commercial-grade laser cutter located in the Babcock Interaction Lab on the college’s Interurban Campus
“Typically, the trays will be used to get the COVID-19 vaccine to facilities where smaller quantities, or one-off doses, are needed in people’s homes,” adds Zeleny.
The material is a chemically-resistant polyethylene closed-cell foam with each tray holding seven pre-drawn syringes. Each of the trays is designed to fit inside the standard portable cooler used by public health.
The trays will be used at regular room and refrigeration temperatures. Pre-drawn doses will always be mixed and thawed. Sub-zero temperatures are only used when the vaccines are in their original shipping vials.
200 trays:
Camosun Innovates manufactured 200 foam trays for the BC Centre for Disease Control who will distribute them to various health authorities.
It’s possible that as the BC Immunization program continues to operate at break-neck speed and still solicits people to administer the COVID-19 shots, that some nursing or other qualified personnel would be preparing the doses while newly-trained injection personnel (shifting from other professions or health department areas) would be doing injections. In that sense, the trays help support the best-use of personnel expertise.
Other innovative contributions:
Other recent Camosun Innovates projects include design and manufacturing of competitive equipment for Olympic para-athletes, complex sport simulators, and self-righting watercraft, as well as medical grade face shields, vaccine trays and portable decontamination devices to support front-line health care professionals during the pandemic.
Camosun College has two campuses located in Saanich in the Greater Victoria area, on the traditional territories of the Lkwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Established in 1971, the college serves thousands of learners a year in over 160 certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree, post-degree diploma, and professional studies and industry training programs.
===== RELATED:
Two new Camosun College board members as 2021-2022 ramps up (August 11, 2021)
Dr. Lane Trotter named next president of Camosun College (July 21, 2021)
Additional COVID support funding for students at Camosun, UVic & Royal Roads (April 19, 2021)
Camosun manufacturing solutions assist with COVID-19 vaccine deliveries (April 17, 2021)