Shipping the cord blood unit for transplantation.

When one or more units have been selected for transplantation, the Transplant Center requests shipment on a specific date, scheduled to arrive before the patient begins conditioning to prepare for the transplant.

For shipment, the unit is placed in a CryoShipper, a cylindrical container that stores liquid nitrogen in the shipper's honey-combed walls and can maintain the inside temperature under -150°C for up to 7 days. A temperature monitor in the shipper documents whether the inside temperature climbed above -120°C. The integrity of each shipper and its ability to retain cold are validated before each shipment. The CryoShipper is placed in an outer container and can stand only in an upright position, keeping the liquid nitrogen in the CryoShipper. The cord blood is sent to the Transplant Centers in the U.S. by overnight courier and elsewhere, by the fastest courier service available. We track each shipment for its arrival and confirm receipt in proper condition.