Every IVF laboratory runs on cryogenic equipment. The embryos, eggs and sperm that represent a patient’s best chance of parenthood depend entirely on the vessels, consumables and analysis systems surrounding them working without failure. Yet purchasing decisions in this space often happen reactively replacing like for like when something fails rather than reviewing the full picture of what a laboratory needs.

This guide covers the complete range of cryogenic equipment and supplies for IVF laboratories, from storage vessels and consumables through to sperm analysis systems, so laboratory managers can make informed decisions about every category in one place.

Choosing the Right Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessel

The storage vessel is the most critical piece of infrastructure in any cryopreservation programme. Everything else the protocols, the straws, the monitoring exists to protect what is inside it.

20-litre liquid nitrogen dewar suits laboratories with moderate sample volumes or those running satellite storage alongside a larger primary vessel. The compact footprint makes it practical for smaller laboratory spaces without sacrificing storage capacity. A 20l liquid nitrogen dewar with a narrow neck retains liquid nitrogen significantly longer than a wider-neck model, reducing top-up frequency and maintenance demand.

Larger programmes need vessels with greater capacity. CryoNest vessels from Cryolab offer large-capacity storage available in XL, XXL and XXXL configurations with a compact footprint that maximises sample density without demanding excessive floor space. CryoCan vessels in 30-6, 47-6 and 47-10 configurations cover the mid-range storage requirements that most busy IVF units work within day to day.

When comparing vessel storage options, four factors matter: static evaporation rate, neck diameter, internal organisation capacity and build quality. A lower static evaporation rate means less frequent liquid nitrogen top-up. Neck diameter affects both access ease and liquid nitrogen retention narrower necks retain longer. Internal organisation capacity determines how many straws, goblets and canisters the vessel can hold in a structured, retrievable arrangement.

Organising Samples Inside the Vessel

A storage vessel is only as useful as the organisation system inside it. Biological samples stored without consistent labelling, logical positioning and documented traceability are a serious clinical risk.

CBS Daisy Goblets hold multiple straws in a high-density arrangement within each canister position. CBS Canisters slot into the vessel’s internal cane positions and hold goblets securely. Cryocanes provide an additional layer of organisation for smaller vessels or specific sample types. Visotubes offer a transparent outer layer that protects straws and supports visual identification during retrieval.

Brady label printers the BMP21, BMP51 and TLS2200 produce cryogenic-resistant labels that remain legible at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Consistent labelling at every stage, from straw to goblet to canister to vessel, is what makes a high-volume sample bank manageable and auditable.

Cryogenic Supplies and Consumables | Getting the Full Picture

The supplies and consumables category covers everything consumed in the daily running of a cryopreservation programme. Getting this right means never running short of a critical item mid-protocol and never substituting an unvalidated consumable because the usual one is out of stock. Cryogenic accessories cryocanes, visotubes, goblets, dipsticks and cryogenic markers — round out the consumables picture. These are the items that tend to run out without warning because they are not tracked as carefully as straws or kits. A standing order for accessories alongside primary consumables avoids the disruption of mid-programme shortages.

Why Cryolab

Cryolab has supplied IVF laboratories, research facilities and fertility clinics across the UK since 2000. ISO 9001:2015 certified and based in Chichester, West Sussex, Cryolab stocks the complete range of cryogenic equipment, storage vessels, consumables, sperm analysis systems and safety wear for IVF laboratory environments.

Consolidating supply through a single specialist supplier reduces administration, supports consistent quality across consumable categories and means one point of contact when equipment questions arise.