Your stem cells will last longer when they're stored
undisturbed under liquid phase nitrogen.
Parents often ask us "How long will our baby's stem cells last?" An excellent question, as it leads to the importance of freezing and storage technology. At PacifiCord, we rely on BioArchive® technology, the industry's leading liquid nitrogen (LN2) cryopreservation and storage system designed specifically for the tracking, retrieval and storage of cord blood stem cells. PacifiCord, along with the world's leading public cord blood banks, uses the BioArchive® because it offers distinct advantages over traditional systems used for cryopreservation and long term cord blood stem cell storage.
In fact, the importance of freezing and storing cord blood stem cells undisturbed and under liquid nitrogen at -196º C for long-term viability is emphasized in the Guidelines for Collection, Processing and Storage of Cord blood stem cells published by the New York State Department of Health, as well as by published studies by the New York Blood Center, the nation’s oldest and largest public cord blood bank.*
*Study by P. Rubenstein, MD, C. Stevens, MD (NYBC, 2007)
 Most family cord blood banks  Our automated BioArchive system maintains a consistent temperature of -196º C ideal for stem cell preservation. |
With traditional storage containers (used by most family cord blood banks), stem cells undergo dramatic temperature shifts every time the preservation container is opened (when, for instance, new stem cell samples are added or removed from the storage container.) Temperatures can shift from the -196º C conditions necessary for cryopreservation to room temperature - a swing of roughly 200º C! Imagine how this affects your baby's stem cells.
First, since the process of archiving cord blood stem cells in the BioArchive® is accomplished by a robotic arm, the temperature inside the storage container is maintained at a steady -196º C, indefinitely. There is no lifting of any lids to the storage container with the BioArchive®. Unlike traditional storage containers used by most family cord blood banks, any samples added or removed from the BioArchive® are done so individually and robotically so that no other cord blood samples are disturbed or exposed to room temperature which can, over time, cause harm to the stem cells. Second, all samples stored in the BioArchive® are preserved under liquid-phase nitrogen-not vapor-based nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen is the only means for maintaining a steady -196º C temperature. Most family cord blood banks use vapor-based liquid nitrogen and traditional storage containers because it is less expensive-but also far less effective when it comes to guarantying long term cell quality and viability. |
 |
Controlling the rate of sample freezing is critical, as it can impact stem cell viability. Traditional systems allow freezing of cord blood units in batches. They also do not specifically measure or control the freeze rate of each individual sample. It's optimal to freeze each cord blood unit individually, using a precise freeze rate. In the same way that each child is unique, each cord blood unit is unique, and therefore must be treated individually in the most precise and optimal manner. |
 |
Each cord blood sample is carefully packaged and labeled with a bar code containing your child's unique identification information and loaded into the BioArchive® for safe keeping. Should your child's sample ever be needed for transplant, the BioArchive® will robotically find, select and retrieve your sample (and your sample only) from storage based on the unique bar code information that identifies your child's cord blood sample from others stored in the same tank. |
Get Started for Free
