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“The ability to quickly and safely transfer vials of the COVID-19 vaccine is helping to get it to where it is needed most,” says Gerry Delorme, Director with Health Emergency Management BC. “�þ���Ƶ Innovates’ ability to quickly imagine and produce manufacturing solutions each time we encounter a challenge is helping to ensure vaccines reach British Columbians.”

�þ���Ƶ Innovates worked with the B.C. Ministry of Health, Health Emergency Management BC, the BC Centre for Disease Control and regional health authorities to prototype and manufacture specialized trays to secure the COVID-19 vaccine vials for transport to where they are most needed. The team at �þ���Ƶ Innovates also designed and manufactured the �þ���Ƶ VI-grip to quickly lift and move vials.

Upon arrival in distribution centres, the vaccine vials need to be transferred from their original containers to boxes holding smaller quantities destined for individual care facilities, rural clinics, and remote communities. Because the vaccine must be kept at a stable temperature of 70 degrees below zero, each box needs to be filled in under three minutes, and the transport trays must also withstand these extreme conditions.

“�þ���Ƶ has been quick to get behind opportunities to support its students, employees and community in many ways throughout the pandemic,” says Sherri Bell, �þ���Ƶ President. “The applied research process used to create the trays and �þ���Ƶ VI-grip are just the latest example of how community colleges can hit the ground running with innovative solutions to complex, real-world problems.”

The first production test run of the transfer trays took place in the Babcock Canada Interaction Lab on �þ���Ƶ’s Interurban campus. These transport trays can hold up to 100 individual vaccine vials and are made of quarter-inch acrylic that is resistant to both shrinkage and extreme temperatures. The �þ���Ƶ VI-grip can transfer up to five vials at a time and is manufactured using a Stereo Lithography Apparatus (SLA) 3D printer that works with a UV-responsive resin.

“�þ���Ƶ is always ready to step up and help out in difficult times, responding to challenges big and small, global and local,” explains Dr. Richard Gale, Director of �þ���Ƶ Innovates. “Because the pandemic has been so challenging and persistent, it creates countless opportunities for collaboration and innovation, all designed to keep our loved ones safe and well. Solving problems is what we do at �þ���Ƶ Innovates, and we are eager to support the excellent work being done by staff at the BCCDC, the provincial ministries, and the health authorities.”

Recent �þ���Ƶ 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 and portable decontamination devices to support front-line health care professionals during the pandemic.

A video telling the story of the process is available here:

�þ���Ƶ College is located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, with campuses on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and ��̱��Á����Ć peoples. Established in 1971 and celebrating its 50th anniversary, �þ���Ƶ is one of the largest colleges in the province, delivering innovative, life-changing academic and applied programs to 20,000 students annually.

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