What equipment does an IVF laboratory need for cryopreservation?

A fully functional IVF laboratory cryopreservation setup requires equipment across four categories: freezing, storage, transport, and consumables.

For freezing, the laboratory needs a controlled-rate freezer for slow-cooling protocols used with sperm, red blood cells, and certain stem cell types, and a vitrification system including the CBS High Security Vitrification Kit for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. Vitrification achieves post-warming survival rates consistently above 90 percent in experienced laboratories.

For storage, the laboratory requires liquid nitrogen storage tanks including compact dewars such as the CryoCan 47-10 and high-capacity vessels such as the CryoNest XL, with continuous LN2 monitoring and remote alarm capability. The HFEA requires all storage equipment in licensed IVF facilities to be validated and maintained under documented quality management procedures.

For transport, a cryoshipper such as the CryoStork V2 maintains cryogenic temperatures without free liquid nitrogen during inter-clinic sample transfer, making it IATA compliant for air transport.

For consumables, the laboratory needs straws, canes, goblets, cryosleeves, and cryovials for sample organisation and identification. Quality at the consumable level is not optional where irreplaceable samples are concerned.