Setting up a VIA Thaw CB1000 on Chronicle

What you will need

• VIA Thaw (all VIA Thaw software versions are compatible)
• Instrument connected to a wired ethernet network.
• Connection tested and passed GE Healthcare connectivity test
• An email with the API Authentication details or a Chronicle admin account for the relevant organization.

Obtain an API Password

1. Copy it from the API authentication details email, or if you have a Chronicle admin account, complete steps 2-4.
2. Log into Chronicle at (https://starter.chronicle.bio) or your organization's custom domain.
3. Navigate to the equipment record that represents the thawing unit we are trying to set up on Chronicle. If a record for this piece of equipment does not yet exist you will need to create one as described here: Creating instrument records.
4. Take a note of the API password that is displayed for the device. It may be useful to copy this into another file for easy access for the next step, as we will not be able to access the internet while connected to the thawing unit.

Enter the API password into the thawer

To securely connect to Chronicle the thawer needs to be provided with an API key, and for WiFi connections, it also needs the name of the WiFi network and WiFi password. To do this without a keyboard, we are going to network a PC/laptop to the instrument and open a configuration web page so we can enter the necessary info. This is a one-time configuration step. 

Note In some regions WiFi, the VIA Thaw CB1000 does not have WiFi included and the process for setting it up is slightly different. Both methods are described below.

Enter the API password into the thawer WIFI enabled devices

1. Turn on the thawer and choose a thawing mode.
2. When the screen changes to show a summary of a thaw profile, press and hold the O button.
3. Navigate through the menus to the "Reset Network" item. This route is "Menu" -> "Network" -> "Reset Network".
4. Press the O button to reset the network configuration. The device will automatically restart in preparation to have a new network configuration applied.
5. On a laptop search for a WiFi network with the same name as the Thawer's serial number
6. Once the laptop is connected, open up a web browser and navigate to 192.168.1.1, where you will see a settings page.

Enter the API password into the thawer NON-WIFI enabled devices

1. Connect an ethernet cable between the thawer and a PC/laptop (direct connection)
2. Turn on the thawer and choose a thawing mode.
3. When the screen changes to show a summary of a thaw profile, press and hold the O button.
4. Navigate through the menus to the "Reset Network" item. This route is "Menu" -> "Network" -> "Reset Network".
5. Press the O button to reset the network configuration. The device will automatically restart in preparation to have a new network configuration applied.
6. Open up a web browser and navigate to 169.254.1.1, where you will see a settings page

Completing setup (both versions)

1. In the settings page, enter the API password and domain for the Chronicle service that you determined in step 1 (e.g. starter.chronicle.bio). You can also edit other network settings, such as the use of a static IP address, or the WiFi SSID and Password.
2. Click on the "Save" button when you are finished.
3. We should now see a message which informs us that the network configuration has been updated.
4. Restart the thawer by un-plugging and re-plugging it.
5. When the thawer reboots, it should be able to communicate with the Chronicle instance when it has an internet connection.

Testing

After the thawer has rebooted, check that the network or wifi icon is shown without an exclamation mark. This indicates it has successfully connected with Chronicle. Check that the last seen timestamp for the instrument record in Chronicle is also correct.

Start a thaw using any available protocol. You do not need to use a real cryopreserved bag, attempting to thaw without a bag will trigger instrument alarms but is still a valid test for the Chronicle connection. Once the thaw has completed you are expecting to see a new data record appear under the instrument in Chronicle within a few minutes.

Troubleshooting

Connection icon shows an exclamation mark

This means it has not been able to connect to Chronicle.

Check the domain name and API key that were entered were correct before trying again. 

Re-test the internet connection as described in the GE Healthcare connectivity test