A cryogenic storage vessel is an insulated container designed to hold liquid nitrogen at -195.8 degrees C, maintaining biological samples – embryos, sperm, oocytes, or tissue – in a stable suspended state for months or years. The vessel works by minimising heat transfer through a vacuum-jacketed wall, keeping evaporation rates low and internal temperatures consistent.
What types of storage vessel does an IVF lab typically use?
Most fertility laboratories use two distinct types. A working dewar sits in the lab and holds samples for active use, topped up with liquid nitrogen regularly. A transport vessel – sometimes called a dry shipper – uses an absorbent core material that retains liquid nitrogen as vapour rather than free liquid, making it safe for air freight under IATA regulations.
How long does a storage vessel hold liquid nitrogen?
Static holding time varies by model and size. A well-insulated 35-litre vessel can hold liquid nitrogen for 90 days or more without refilling under normal conditions. Smaller vessels evaporate faster. The neck diameter matters significantly – a wider neck increases evaporation rate, so most long-term storage vessels use narrow necks to reduce losses.
What should a lab check when selecting a storage vessel?
Capacity, static evaporation rate, neck diameter, and the number of canisters the vessel accommodates are the four figures that matter. A sperm bank storing hundreds of patient samples needs a different configuration to a small private clinic running 20 to 30 cycles per year.
The most common mistake we see is labs selecting a vessel based on litre capacity alone. Evaporation rate and canister configuration determine day-to-day usability far more than headline volume.
Cryolab supplies a range of storage vessels suited to IVF clinics, sperm banks, and research laboratories across the UK. View the CryoNest Series LN2 Storage Vessels or contact the team to discuss which configuration suits your sample volume.
