BioArchive system- Automated freezing and storage

The BioArchive System is a double layered stainless steel liquid nitrogen Dewar, fully computerized control. The bar code specially made for each sample is unique, and the whole process is handled by computer, decreasing human error possibilities.

When a cord blood sample is stored, it is programmed to decrease 2^oC per minute, after placed into the port it will decrease to -50^oC, then stored into the -196^oC liquid nitrogen, the temperature record of the freezing process and the storage position is all accurately recorded by the computer.

The storing and retrieval of the stem cell is done by the scanner. After scanning the bar code of the sample, the computer will follow its commands and utilize the periscope and the bar code reader to reach the storage position.

This newly storage system has improved many flaws of the conventional storage Dewars, the storage method is quite different. With the conventional Dewar, storage and retrieval are done manually by opening the cover of the Dewars, causing Transient Warming (TWE) that harms the cell viability.

The BioArchive system and the conventional storage Dewar sample retrieval comparison picture:

New York Cord Blood Bank (NYBC) collaborated with Thermogenesis to develop a new computerized automatic cryopreservation system-now known as the BioArchive system. After using the BioArchive from year 1999, an evaluation analysis in 2007 confirmed that the new system efficiently eliminated the Transient Warming Effect (TWE) maintaining cell  viability and provided a significant increase (10% difference) in survival rate of the patients after transplantation.*

*Source: Rubinstein, P., & Stevens, C.E. (2007). Clinical Outcome of Unrelated Cord Blood Transplants: An Analysis of Processing Method and Freezer Storage on Transplants from New York Blood Center National Cord Blood Program. New York Blood Center.