What method do cord blood banks use to ensure the preservation of umbilical blood?

Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is the process of freezing cells or tissues at extremely low temperatures (usually -196°C or lower) to preserve them for later use. Cord blood banks use cryopreservation to store umbilical cord blood for future transplantation.

The cryopreservation process begins by slowly cooling the blood to prevent damage to the cells. The blood is then mixed with a cryoprotectant, which is a substance that helps to protect the cells from damage during freezing and thawing. The blood is then placed in a special container and cooled at a controlled rate until it reaches the desired temperature.

The blood is stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C or lower. At this temperature, the cells are almost completely inactive and can be stored for many years without any significant loss of viability.

When the blood is needed for transplantation, it is thawed quickly and washed to remove the cryoprotectant. The blood is then ready to be infused into the patient.