Controlled cryopreservation is an interplay of physics, biology and technology. But at the heart of this interplay is an often overlooked component: the software. It is the brain of the Controlled Rate Freezer, which controls the cooling rate, reacts to the crystallization heat and documents every second of the freezing process.
The software of the Consarctic® BIOFREEZE® series was developed specifically for the requirements of biomedical cryopreservation. In this article, we highlight its core functions and show why it differs fundamentally from generic control solutions.
Different cell types require different freezing protocols. Hematopoietic stem cells require a different cooling rate than hepatocytes, and oocytes are vitrified differently than cartilage cells. The BIOFREEZE® software offers the necessary flexibility.
The software comes with a library of proven freezing programs that cover common cell types. New users can start immediately with validated protocols without having to develop their own curves.
For researchers who have special requirements, the software offers the option of configuring their own freezing curves step by step. Parameters such as start temperature, end temperature, cooling rate, holding phases and induction points can be freely defined.
Complex protocols that require several cooling rates in sequence - for example, slow cooling to -7°C, followed by a seeding step and then further cooling - can be mapped as multi-stage programs.
The TC-Active function is at the heart of the BIOFREEZE® innovation. It addresses a fundamental problem of cryopreservation: the heat of crystallization.
When water undergoes the phase transition from liquid to solid, latent heat is released. This heat can cause the temperature in the sample to rise by several degrees in the short term - a potentially cell-damaging temperature jump.
The TC-Active function monitors the temperature in the sample chamber and the rate of temperature change in real time. As soon as it detects the characteristic increase in crystallization heat, it automatically triggers a short-term intensive cooling (shock freezing), which immediately compensates for the heat released. This process takes place without manual intervention and is fully logged.
The BIOFREEZE® software offers a clear, real-time dashboard that visualizes all relevant parameters during the freezing process:
Documentation of the freezing process is a regulatory requirement for pharmaceutical and clinical applications. The BIOFREEZE® software fully meets these requirements.
Each freezing process is automatically saved as a digital batch record. The log contains:
The data can be exported in common formats (CSV, PDF) for integration into LIMS systems or quality management databases. This makes audits and regulatory inspections much easier.
The software implements the ALCOA principles for data integrity: the data is assignable (Attributable), readable (Legible), contemporaneous (Contemporaneous), original (Original) and correct (Accurate). Subsequent changes are documented and traceable.
In a validated environment, not every user may be able to execute all functions. The software offers a multi-level authorization system:
The BIOFREEZE® software is much more than a control interface - it is the bridge between the physical performance of the freezer and the demanding requirements of modern cryopreservation. It makes the difference between a device that cools and a system that maximizes cell survival.
Would you like to experience the BIOFREEZE® software in action? Contact our team for a personal demonstration or a no-obligation consultation. We will show you how our software can optimize your freezing processes.