The label on an IVF sample in cryogenic storage might seem like a trivial detail compared to the biological and technological complexity of the rest of the process. It is not. The label is the last line of defence against sample misidentification, and a label that fails at cryogenic temperatures removes that defence entirely.
Standard office labels and most commercial adhesive labels are not designed for cryogenic temperatures. At minus 196 degrees Celsius, the adhesive on a standard label typically becomes brittle and fails. The label may fall off the sample during storage or during the transition from storage temperature to room temperature. Even if it remains in place, the print may be affected by condensation during warming.
Cryogenic-grade labels are engineered specifically for this challenge. They use adhesive formulations that remain stable at cryogenic temperatures and maintain their bond through repeated temperature cycles. The face stock material is typically polyester or a specialised film that does not become brittle at low temperatures. The printing method is selected for resistance to smearing or fading when condensation forms on the vessel during warming.
HFEA requirements for sample traceability are effectively impossible to meet robustly if the physical labels on samples are unreliable. A dewar full of unlabelled or illegibly labelled samples cannot be traced to patients, which is a serious compliance failure.
For clinics using electronic witnessing systems, the labels must also carry a barcode or RFID element that functions reliably at cryogenic temperatures and after warming.
Cryolab supplies cryogenic-grade labelling solutions for UK IVF laboratories. Visit cryolab.co.uk“>Cryolab
