Cryopreservation, the process of preserving living cells and tissues by cooling them to subzero temperatures, has enabled major advances in fields like medicine, biotechnology and reproductive sciences. However, cryopreservation would not be possible without specialized equipment that can maintain ultra-low temperatures required for long-term storage.

Freezers for Cryopreservation

Freezers are the primary equipment used for cryopreservation as they can maintain temperatures low enough to preserve biological samples intact for extended periods. Based on the required temperature range, different types of freezers are used:

- Mechanical freezers: Basic freezers that can cool samples down to -80°C. Ideal for short to medium-term storage of less temperature-sensitive tissues.

- Liquid nitrogen freezers: More advanced units that utilize liquid nitrogen cooling to reach temperatures as low as -150°C. Necessary for long-term banking of cells, embryos and other biomaterials that degrade at warmer temperatures over time.

- Vapor phase tanks: Tanks filled with liquid nitrogen that create an insulating vapor phase above the liquid at around -150°C. Commonly used for cryopreservation because they provide a stable vapor-phase temperature without direct contact with liquid nitrogen.

- Cold storage rooms: Large walk-in freezers maintained at -80°C or below using mechanical cooling. Suitable for archiving large sample collections over many years at consistent temperatures.

Control Units and Monitoring Devices

To ensure safe and effective Cryopreservation Equipment, special control units and monitors are installed with freezers:

- Temperature monitoring/recording devices: Data loggers and electronic monitoring systems help precisely measure and document temperatures inside freezers on a continuous basis.

- Alarm systems: Alert users via emails, texts or alarms if temperatures rise above set thresholds due to equipment malfunctions. Prevent thawing of stored biosamples.

- Automatic refill units: For liquid nitrogen freezers, auto-refill systems top up liquid nitrogen levels from bulk storage tanks without manual intervention.

- Backup power units: Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and generators provide emergency electricity to maintain temperatures if main power fails.

Cryopreservation Instruments and Vials

Specific instruments are used to transfer samples between temperatures zones during the cryopreservation process:

- Cryobags/Cryovials: Single-use plastic bags or tubes certified for cryopreservation and storage in liquid nitrogen. Made of highly flexible polymers to withstand extreme temperatures.

- Cryocontainers: Larger containers stacked in freezers that hold multiple cryobags/vials in an organized manner with labels.

- CryoCanes: Long-handle tongs or forceps used to safely transfer bags/vials between liquid nitrogen storage tanks and storage containers above vapor phase.

- Programmable freezing containers: “Mr. Frosty”-type containers that cool samples at controlled rates to minimize ice crystal damage during freezing.

Quality Control is Crucial

For reliable long-term storage of precious biomaterials, quality control of all cryopreservation equipment is imperative:

- Regular certification/calibration: Ensures freezers, monitors and instruments perform as intended over the lifetime of critical systems.

- Preventive maintenance: Scheduled servicing helps address small issues before they cause temperature excursions or equipment failures.

- Backup equipment: Additional redundant freezers, tanks, monitoring systems and instruments avoid sample loss due to unexpected repairs/replacements.

- Standard operating procedures: Strict protocols minimize human errors and ensure consistency in equipment operation across different users and facilities.

The ability to effectively cryopreserve biological samples has revolutionized many fields. However, this capability depends on dedicated cryopreservation equipment designed, maintained and operated to the highest quality standards. Proper use, monitoring and maintenance of tanks, freezers and instruments forms the backbone of safe long-term low-temperature storage.

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