Discover the cryopreservation process
Cryopreservation once belonged to the realm of science fiction, but today it combines decades of research into a reproducible series of steps that pause biological decay at ultra-low temperatures. Whether the goal is to preserve single cells, complex organs or an entire body, each phase of the cryopreservation process is designed to protect delicate structures from ice damage and chemical stress. In this article we explore every stage in depth, explain the rationale behind key techniques, highlight emerging innovations and consider what it means for individuals and families facing a terminal diagnosis.
1 Stand-by and stabilization
The journey begins the moment legal death is confirmed. A trained response team moves swiftly to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation, slowing irreversible tissue damage. External cooling packs and portable perfusion devices keep core temperature from rising, while anticoagulants and stabilizing agents reduce clot formation. Rapid intervention at this stage preserves cellular integrity and buys critical time for subsequent procedures.
2 Cryoprotectant perfusion
Once stabilization is underway, the next priority is to introduce cryoprotective agents throughout the vasculature. Cryoprotectants replace much of the water inside cells, lowering the freezing point and reducing ice crystal formation. A carefully controlled perfusion protocol increases cryoprotectant concentration in stages, using pumps to regulate flow rate and pressure. This gradual exchange prevents osmotic shock, which could otherwise rupture cell membranes. Throughout this phase continuous monitoring of pressure, temperature and solution osmolarity ensures even distribution and minimizes toxicity.
3 Controlled cooling and vitrification
With cryoprotectants in place, cooling can begin. By dropping temperature, the body turns into a glass-like state without forming ice crystals. Special insulated containers and computer-controlled cooling curves manage the descent from near physiological temperatures down to around minus 196 °C. Real-time thermocouples placed in strategic locations verify that no freezing front propagates through the tissue, preserving ultrastructural detail.
4 Long-term storage
After vitrification, samples are transferred into the dewars, filled with liquid nitrogen. At temperatures below minus 150 °C all molecular motion ceases and biochemical reactions halt. Periodic quality checks confirm stable temperature, cryoprotectant integrity and container seals. Modern storage facilities feature redundant safety systems—from backup nitrogen supplies to alarmed remote monitoring—ensuring that preserved individuals or tissues remain undisturbed for years, decades or longer.
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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 a second chance at life. As Europe’s leading human 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 human cryopreservation a reliable and accessible option for everyone. We believe that no life should end because the current capabilities fall short.
Our vision is a future where death is optional — where people have the freedom to choose long-term preservation in the face of terminal illness or fatal injury, and to awaken when medicine has caught up.
📧 Contact us at: hello@tomorrow.bio
🌐 Visit our website: www.tomorrow.bio
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