What is cryogenic freezing equipment and which type does an IVF or biobank laboratory actually need?
The term cryogenic freezing equipment covers two distinct categories that are frequently conflated in procurement discussions. Controlled rate freezers – also called slow-freeze or programmable freezers – cool biological material at a defined rate, typically 1 to 2°C per minute, using liquid nitrogen to drive the cooling curve. Vitrification systems, by contrast, achieve cooling rates greater than 10,000°C per minute through direct contact with liquid nitrogen or nitrogen vapour, bypassing ice crystal formation entirely.
For the majority of UK IVF laboratories, vitrification is now the primary cryopreservation method for oocytes and embryos, with controlled rate freezing retained for sperm, blastocysts in specific protocols, and biobanking applications. The procurement decision should be driven by current and planned protocol requirements rather than equipment availability. Cryolab supplies the CBS DigitCool controlled rate freezer for slow-freeze applications and the full CBS High Security vitrification kit range for vitrification protocols. Contact us to discuss which configuration suits your laboratory.
