Handling frozen cryovials or cryogenic tubes can be quite a hassle. That is why good tools are absolutely essential for a safe and efficient workflow. And the CryoHolder is just that, a great tool.
What is the CryoHolder?
If you still don’t know what the CryoHolder is, you’re in luck! You can read about it here.
1. Simplicity
It is very easy to use the CryoHolder
The CryoHolder is simple. It’s shaped just like a pencil. You only use one hand to use it and there is no extra training required in order to use it. You just pick it up, plug it in the vial cap (or tube), lift and click.
Unlike many tools nowadays, the CryoHolder doesn’t come with sheets and sheets of instruction manuals. Because of its simple nature, everyone can use it in a matter of seconds
2. Speed
When it comes to working with frozen (to -196°C) biological material, speed is everything. You either need to be careful not to melt (thaw) the sample (the biological material gets damaged) or to not get frostbite from holding the vial for too long.
The CryoHolder helps you with that! Because it’s so light and easy to use, the whole process of moving cryovials around becomes a breeze. Less time needed to pick cryovials up and move them around means fewer compromised and damaged samples. On top of that, the whole lab workflow is faster.
3. Safety
Lab safety is one of the top priorities in every establishment. If the lab technician isn’t safe while doing his or her job, then they can get injured. And nobody wants to get injured, I can tell you that much! Right now, in the field of cryopreservation people use thick gloves or gauntlets to protect themselves from frostbite. But these are very impractical and can cause a lot of trouble.
The tip of the CryoHolder is far away from the bottom of your hand, making sure the biological material doesn’t thaw
The CryoHolder ensures that you won’t touch the frozen cryovial with your hand, therefore making it almost impossible to thaw the sample or get frostbite. Because it’s shaped like a pencil, the tip, where it touches the vial cap, is far from your hand, which enables you to pick the vial up, move it and place it back down, without your body temperature changing the temperature around the cryovial and biological material.
4. Sterility
Imagine you are preparing a sample. You grab a tool for vial transferring and you can’t tell if you can sterilize it or not, because it’s made of different materials, some of which aren’t made to withstand high temperatures. So you decide that ok, maybe there’s a risk of contaminating your sample but what can I do. And then, the sample gets contaminated and you’ve just ruined someone’s life because of that. Wouldn’t it be easier to have a tool which you can just pop in the autoclave at 121°C and make sure it’s 100% sterile every time you use it?
The CryoHolder is made out of a completely autoclavable material - aluminium. This enables you to sterilize it after each use, in order to prevent contamination. Be smart and save the samples.
5. Sturdiness
Many laboratory tools are being made of plastic. Plastic is OK in relation to single-use tools. But a pair of plastic tweezers can easily break. If you grip them too tightly or maybe they get hooked on something and you pull them apart. Even if they don’t break, they still get bent out of shape and can, therefore, be unusable.
As I mentioned above, the CryoHolder is made out of aluminium. This attribute makes it very durable and almost indestructible! You can throw it on the ground or try to break it by hand and it just won’t budge. Since it’s also shaped like a tube, the geometry alone contributes to the CryoHolder’s sturdiness. Plastic is fun but if you want durability and strength, go with aluminium.
The CryoHolder
Conclusion
The CryoHolder is a simple tool for transferring cryovials or cryogenic tubes. It enables a fast workflow, saving time and making it possible to transfer more cryovials in a shorter amount of time. Its elongated pen-like shape ensures safety when handling, for the user and for the biological sample inside of the cryovial. It’s made entirely out of aluminium, making it 100% sterilizable in the autoclave but also providing sturdiness and durability.
Want to test it out in your lab? Apply for a CryoHolder now and make your workflow more efficient!
Interested in buying a CryoHolder for your lab? You can do so on the CryoHolder website!
Sources:
Theodora K. Nannou et. al. (2016). Cryopreservation: Methods, Equipment and Critical Concerns. International IIR Conference of Cryogenics and Refrigeration Technology, Bucharest
