Evaluation of New Prototype for Corneal Transportation in Eye Banking

Authors

Nátalie Stéphanie Miguel Silva; Adriana dos Santos Forseto, MD, Vagner Rogério dos Santos, PhD, Ricardo Suterio, PhD, Elcio Hideo Sato, PhD

Keywords

corneal transplant, Peltier effect, thermal box, transport of the cornea, shipping containers

Abstract

Purpose: To assess thermal control of a new prototype for transporting donor corneas and compare it to the traditional method.

Methods: The prototype, comprised of a Peltier effect cell, was compared to a polypropylene thermal box containing a vegetable cellulose-based refrigerant thermogel, preservative, and water wrapped in polyethylene rigid packaging. The required temperature for corneal transport (2°-8°C) was measured. Both methods were monitored four times for thermal stability based on temperature measurements every 30 minutes for 36 hours. The measurements were recorded and compared using a data logger.

Results: The mean latency period for reaching 8°C was 21.0 ± 1.4 minutes for the polypropylene thermal box and 19.0 ± 1.0 minutes for the prototype. The prototype had an average thermal stability of 2.6 ± 0.5ºC without a gradual temperature increase. In two of the four measurements, the assessed values were within the range of 2ºC to 8ºC. In the polypropylene box, the upper limit was exceeded after an average of 14.8 ± 4.0 hours (range, 10-19 hours) and the temperature increased was gradual and irreversible.

Conclusion: The prototype maintained the thermal stability within a recommended temperature range for 36 hours, which was superior to the results obtained with the polypropylene thermal box. The prototype may be more suitable for corneal transportation over long distances and internationally.