Half PVC cryogenic sleeves are compact protective covers designed to fit over aluminium cryogenic canes in liquid nitrogen storage vessels. The term “half” refers to the sleeve’s reduced length compared to a full-length sleeve, making it specifically suited to half-size cryogenic canes while delivering the same protective and organisational function in a more compact form factor.
In an IVF laboratory, the primary role of a PVC cryogenic sleeve is to enclose the loaded cane within the dewar, protecting the biological samples held in goblets or vials from mechanical contact during storage and retrieval, and providing a clear visual and physical boundary between individual canes within the canister. Clear PVC material allows sample identification labels to be read without removing the sleeve, which is a significant workflow advantage in a busy clinical laboratory.
PVC cryogenic sleeves are rated for use at the extreme temperatures of liquid nitrogen storage at -196°C. Unlike cardboard sleeves, which were historically used for the same purpose, PVC sleeves are more durable, do not degrade in the presence of liquid nitrogen or condensation, and maintain their structural integrity through repeated access events over the storage lifetime of the samples within them.
PVC cryogenic cane sleeves are more durable than cardboard sleeves, and their clear plastic construction allows sample identification without removing the sleeve, making them the standard choice for protecting vials in aluminium canes during handling and storage in IVF and reproductive medicine laboratories.
Half PVC cryogenic sleeves are compatible with the half-size aluminium cane format used in laboratories where storage density is a priority, allowing more canes to be fitted within the same canister space compared to full-length cane configurations.
Cryolab supplies half PVC cryogenic sleeves for IVF laboratory and cryogenic storage applications. Browse the cryogenic canes and sleeves range or contact the Cryolab team for specification guidance.
