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Coca-Cola Consolidated has announced that Southeastern Container, a PET bottle manufacturing partner funded and managed by the Coca-Cola bottler, has begun production of plastic test tubes for COVID-19 test kits
.
The project was initiated as the US Department of Health and Human Services teamed up with ORNL (Oak Ridge National Lab) to find the right manufacturer to address the supply chain gap for COVID-19 test tubes to meet the growing testing needs of states
.
Test tubes are manufactured by heat blow molding
Test tubes are manufactured by heat blow molding"When the U.
S.
Department of Health and Human Services approached ORNL for assistance in finding a COVID-19 test tube solution, we considered several options to help the industry scale up production," said Lonnie Love, chief scientist of the COVID-19 Advanced Manufacturing Program at ORNL Laboratories.
Finally, through discussions with Coca-Cola, we settled on a blow-molded preform that makes the Coca-Cola bottle look exactly like the test tube needed for a COVID-19 test kit
.
"When the U.
Plastic bottles turned into leak-proof, tamper-proof, high-temperature test tubes Plastic bottles turned into leak-proof, tamper-proof, high-temperature test tubes
At ORNL's request, Coca-Cola Bottling provided preform samples, and ORNL Laboratories worked with Longhorn Vaccine-Diagnostics, a COVID-19 testing company, to confirm that the tubes met test kit standards
.
At ORNL's request, Coca-Cola Bottling provided preform samples, and ORNL Laboratories worked with Longhorn Vaccine-Diagnostics, a COVID-19 testing company, to confirm that the tubes met test kit standards
.
"Coronavirus test tubes are facing global supply shortages," said Dr.
Luke T.
Daum, chief scientific officer for vaccines at Longhorn Vaccine-Diagnostics.
The plastic preforms create sturdy, leak-proof vials large enough to hold any swab, and importantly, they can produce millions of tubes per week
.
Researchers at ORNL Laboratories' Energy Manufacturing Demonstration Facility worked with Coca-Cola Bottling to determine whether soda bottle preforms -- small heated blow-molded plastic tubes used to hold carbonated beverages -- could be used as test tubes
.
In a COVID-19 kit, a swab, saline solution, and a plastic tube to hold the swab in transit are included
.
The 20-ounce size soda preform has been proven to be ideal for containing long COVID-19 swabs
.
The soda bottle preform also contains a tamper-resistant top cap that is tamper-proof and securely seals the plastic tube, preventing leakage and exposure during shipping
.
Plastic test tubes are also available with a tamper-resistant top cover to prevent tampering
Plastic test tubes are also available with a tamper-resistant top cover to prevent tamperingOnce the tubes are produced, they usually need to be sterilized before they can be used in test kits
.
Sandia National Laboratories is currently using its gamma irradiation facility with a team of radiation science experts to develop preform sterilization protocols that do not damage the material
.
"This collaboration will be key to filling gaps in the COVID-19 testing supply chain," said Randy Schunk, principal engineer of Sandia National Laboratories' COVID-19 Advanced Manufacturing Program
.
"Gamma radiation is used to sterilize a large number of medical supplies.
Efficient, general approach
.
Research is ongoing to find the right level of gamma radiation to sterilize the test tube without damaging the test components, plastic and tube seals
.
"
.
We are conducting research to find the right level of gamma radiation to sterilize test tubes without damaging test components, plastics and test tubes.
tightness
.
”
Sandia National Laboratories will share protocols with medical sterilization facilities across the country that receive tubes from Southeastern Container for sterilization
.
The preforms are currently being used by five companies conducting COVID-19 testing in the United States
.
.
The preforms are currently being used by five companies conducting COVID-19 testing in the United States
.
