Cryogenic equipment is anything that creates, holds or moves samples at cryogenic temperature, or protects the people doing it. In an IVF laboratory it falls into seven groups, and the budget usually covers the first.
The seven groups
- Storage vessels. From a 30 litre CryoCan to a 1,800 litre CryoBank.
- Supply and dispensing. Self pressurising supply tanks, and foot pump dispensing dewars such as the CryoCrest 35L and 50L.
- Transport. Dry shippers, protective cases, data loggers.
- Freezing. Vitrification kits and carriers for embryos and oocytes; controlled rate freezers for sperm and tissue.
- Organisation. Straws, visotubes, goblets, canisters, cryocanes, cryosleeves and cryogenic labelling.
- Monitoring. Level and temperature probes, alarms, and a dipstick as the backup that never fails.
- Protection. Cryogenic gloves, face shields, aprons, oxygen depletion monitors.
Where laboratories get caught
Group five, because straw format, goblet and canister all have to agree with each other and with the racking. Sorting that after the tank arrives means either new consumables or new tank furniture.
How to build a complete list
Work through all seven groups against a floor plan and the list stops growing after commissioning. The storage accessories range covers the canes, sleeves, goblets, visotubes and labelling that sit between the straw and the tank.
