CILS Enhances Lab Productivity with Advanced Xylene-Resistant Labels

BACKGROUND

CILS collaborates with a highly reputable research and development laboratory based in France, which specialises in the collection, analysis, and processing of medical tissue samples. This advanced facility supports a wide range of medical specialities, including gynaecology, gastroenterology, dermatology, ENT (ear, nose and throat), orthopaedics, and urology.

The laboratory’s team of expert pathologists examine and processes over 4,000 samples daily. These include a diverse array of specimen types such as cytological smears, skin samples, biopsies, puncture fluids, and surgical tissue specimens. Given the scale and complexity of their operations, the lab requires reliable labelling solutions that can withstand the rigours of histological processing.

To meet this need, they consistently rely on our durable, xylene-resistant labels. Xylene, a highly toxic and volatile solvent, plays a critical role in histopathology as a clearing agent, facilitating the preparation of tissue samples for microscopic examination. Our labels are specifically engineered to endure exposure to xylene without degrading, ensuring the legibility and integrity of sample identification throughout the entire analytical process.

PROBLEM

The company used a very time-consuming and inefficient labelling method as part of their sample processing workflow. Each label was first printed using a thermal printer onto the white section of a standard label. To ensure the printed data remained intact and legible for traceability purposes, a transparent overlaminate was then manually applied over each label.

This process of printing and then manually applying the laminate had to be carried out for approximately 4,000 samples per day on average. The manual nature of the task required significant time and effort, taking up a large portion of the staff’s daily workload. As a result, the labelling process became a major holdup, significantly slowing down both sampling and production activities.

CHALLENGE

The labels are subjected to a rigorous and highly specific process, during which they are immersed for several hours in a clearing agent, such as ‘Clarify’ or Xylene. In response to growing interest in alternative labelling solutions, numerous material samples from other suppliers were submitted to this research and development facility. They wanted to shift away from the traditional ‘sign and seal’ labels, prompting a thorough evaluation of the alternatives under real sampling conditions.

SOLUTION

Our durable labels underwent rigorous testing and successfully met all of the client’s quality

and performance requirements. Unlike labels provided by other suppliers, ours demonstrated exceptional print durability: no fading of data occurred during use. This high level of resilience meant the organisation could streamline their process by eliminating the need for an additional protective transparent label.

We provided the organisation with a robust and long-lasting labelling solution specifically designed for their daily sample collection activities. As a result, they were able to implement a fast-track system for sample identification and dispatch, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing turnaround times.

Medical Tissue Sample (*example)