What is the cryopreservation protocol?

The cryopreservation protocol is a standardized series of medical and technical steps used to preserve legally deceased individuals at ultra-low temperatures. The goal is to prevent biological decay and ice damage so that, if future technology allows, the preserved person might one day be revived and treated.

This isn’t about freezing — it’s about vitrification, a process that turns the body into a glass-like state to avoid the damage caused by ice crystals.

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Step 1: Standby and rapid response

Cryopreservation begins before death, not after. When a member is nearing death, a cryonics team is placed on standby nearby, ready to respond within minutes of legal death being declared.

Key goals during this phase:

• Minimize ischemic injury (oxygen loss)
• Begin body cooling as soon as possible
• Maintain circulation with mechanical support

This step is time-sensitive. The quality of preservation depends heavily on how quickly the protocol can be initiated.

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Step 2: Initial stabilization after death

Once legal death is declared:

• The patient is cooled with ice water or cold packs
• CPR and oxygenation are resumed artificially to preserve brain viability
• Medications are administered to reduce clotting, inflammation, and cellular degradation

These actions help maintain the structural integrity of organs and tissues until full perfusion can occur.

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Step 3: Cryoprotectant perfusion

This is the heart of the cryopreservation protocol. In a controlled setting:

• Blood is replaced with a cryoprotective agent (CPA)
• The CPA prevents the formation of ice crystals, which would otherwise rupture cells
• The solution is introduced slowly to minimize stress and toxicity

This step is often performed at a specialized facility or mobile operating unit, depending on location.

The goal is not just to preserve structure, but to protect the brain’s connectome — the web of neural pathways that encode memory, personality, and identity.

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Step 4: Gradual cooling and vitrification

After perfusion, the body is slowly cooled from near-freezing to -196°C. The cooling is done in phases to prevent thermal stress and cracking.

At -130°C, water molecules transition into a vitrified state, forming a glass-like solid. No ice crystals form. Cellular structures are preserved at the microscopic level.

Once cooled to -196°C, the patient is considered fully cryopreserved and ready for long-term storage.

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Step 5: Storage in liquid nitrogen

The body is placed in a dewar filled with liquid nitrogen. These containers require no electricity and are topped off regularly to maintain temperature.

The facility — like the one used by Tomorrow.bio at the European Biostasis Foundation in Switzerland — is designed to:

• Withstand long-term storage
• Offer redundancy and backup systems
• Be secure and scientifically monitored

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Why the protocol matters

The success of cryopreservation — in preserving structure and identity — depends entirely on the protocol being followed quickly and precisely.

Every minute counts. Delays in perfusion, poor cooling control, or lack of standby preparation can reduce the quality of preservation and damage the very systems that cryonics aims to protect.

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Why plan ahead?

Cryopreservation cannot begin after a traditional death process. Planning ahead ensures:

• Legal documents and insurance are in place
• Standby teams are ready
• Your wishes are clear and respected

If you’re curious about how to prepare, we encourage you to book a consultation with our team.

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About Tomorrow.bio

At Tomorrow.bio, we are dedicated to advancing the science of cryopreservation with the goal of giving people and pets a second chance at life. As Europe’s leading cryopreservation provider, we focus on rapid, high-quality standby, stabilization, and storage of terminal patients — preserving them until future medical technologies may allow revival and treatment.

Our mission is to make cryopreservation a reliable and accessible option for everyone. We believe that no life — human or animal — should end because current medical capabilities fall short.

📧 Contact us at: hello@tomorrow.bio
🌐 Visit our website: www.tomorrow.bio
🤝 Schedule a consultation: Book a call

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