Our Long-Term Storage

TMRW Life Sciences (TMRW) stands at the forefront of fertility technology, specializing in the protection of frozen eggs, embryos, and sperm (specimens). They have pioneered the world's first and only automated system dedicated to the secure handling and storage of these specimens. TMRW's advanced technology offers reassurance by significantly minimizing the risks of specimen errors, mix-ups, and losses.

Preservation of "frozen" specimens is achieved through cryopreservation, a process involving storage at extremely low temperatures.

In collaboration with our network, Pinnacle Fertility, we have established a partnership with TMRW Life Sciences to adopt their advanced long-term cryopreservation platform. In our ongoing commitment to meet our patients' expanding needs and ensure the safe and secure storage of your specimens, we are enhancing our long-term storage facilities with the state-of-the-art technology provided by TMRW.

TMRW Life Sciences is fully and legally responsible for your frozen embryos/oocytes/sperm while in transit from and to the IVF Lab, and while in storage with them. They have ongoing commitment to meet our patients' expanding needs and to ensure the safe and secure storage of your specimens.

TMRW's state-of-the-art automated storage systems establish a new benchmark in care, offering secure identification, precise tracking, vigilant monitoring, and the safe handling of specimens.

TMRW has developed the world's inaugural and exclusive integrated, automated solution for the secure storage and management of frozen eggs, embryos, and sperm. Features of TMRW's platform include:

• Digital identification employing barcodes and radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology.
• Advanced digital logs and tracking systems, ensuring triple redundancy and a robust chain of custody maintained within the platform.
• Automated storage tanks consistently monitored and refilled with liquid nitrogen.
• Continuous 24/7 surveillance utilizing real-time data analytics, with systems in place to alert the TMRW support team about any variations.

The facility is operated by TMRW's cryostorage specialists and embryologists who possess comprehensive training in the management of frozen specimens.

Absolutely, the transportation of frozen specimens between our clinical site and storage facilities is a common procedure in the fertility sector. Every aspect of handling and transport is conducted by skilled professionals who comply with the utmost industry standards.

The storage facility is located in in Boulder, Colorado.

Signed into law on April 4th, 2022, The Reproductive Health Equity Act (HB22-1279) states

"Every individual has a fundamental right to use or refuse contraception; every pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue the pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion; and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of the state.

In Colorado, any and all decisions about your reproductive care, including what happens to your eggs and/or embryos, remain yours to make.

Institute for Human Reproduction will collaborate closely with TMRW for the meticulous preparation and transfer of your cryopreserved eggs, embryos, and/or sperm. At IHR, we ensure that your specimens, retaining their original labels, are securely placed into a specially designed TMRW container known as a CryoBeacon, each assigned a unique digital identification (RFID) exclusive to you. These CryoBeacons are then carefully packed into liquid nitrogen-cooled transport tanks for their journey to the advanced long-term cryostorage facility operated by TMRW in Boulder, Colorado. Upon reaching their destination, each CryoBeacon will undergo RFID tag scanning before being integrated into the TMRW storage system.

IHR covers the expenses associated with transporting your specimens to and from the long-term storage facility.

No, the existing storage fee you are paying already covers the cost of storage at our designated long-term storage facility.

No, during transfer, all specimens are securely transported in specially designed cryogenic tanks that maintain their frozen state. TMRW employs rigorous temperature monitoring techniques to guarantee that the samples consistently remain at the requisite cryogenic temperatures for their entire journey.

The original labels on your specimens will be retained. An embryologist from IHR  will oversee the process of assigning each specimen to your exclusive TMRW container, known as a CryoBeacon. Every CryoBeacon is equipped with a unique digital ID that is specific to you, ensuring continuous tracking of your specimens at all times.

Upon receipt of your CryoBeacon containing your specimen(s) and unique digital ID, our team will scan and log it into the TMRW system for storage. This process is digitally documented and linked to each specimen's record, providing clear visibility, traceability, and accountability for your specimens. IHR will have access to view all patient specimens through an electronic medical record system, ensuring seamless monitoring and management.

Your specimens are securely placed in a CryoBeacon that is exclusively assigned to you, ensuring that no other patient's specimens are mixed with yours in the container(s). These individual containers are then housed in a larger storage tank, which is standard industry practice, alongside multiple CryoBeacons containing specimens from other patients.

The electronic medical record system at IHR and TMRW’s software will both accurately display the current location of all cryopreserved specimens stored at the offsite cryobank. Additionally, this storage information will be updated in any other inventory systems used by our laboratory staff.

Access to the secure facilities is exclusively permitted to authorized TMRW personnel, ensuring the utmost safety of the specimens.

IHR will collaborate with TMRW to assemble all required documentation for the clinic set to receive your specimens. Additionally, we will coordinate with your chosen transport company to ensure a smooth and efficient transfer process.

Patients with specimens that have been in storage for over a year, or those who are not currently in an active treatment cycle at our clinic, will have their specimens securely maintained at our designated long-term cryostorage provider. For patients opting to keep their specimens stored in our on-site laboratory, there will be an increased charge for this premium on-site long-term storage service. The revised cost for on-site storage at IHR is now set at $1800 annually. This change will take effect from your next renewal date and will be managed through automatic billing.

Should patients prefer not to transfer their specimens, or if they wish to relocate them to a different facility, we can facilitate shipping to the facility of their choice upon request.

In the clinic, your specimens, retaining their original labels, will be securely placed into fresh TMRW containers, each equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. These containers will then be carefully moved to the long-term cryostorage facility using vapor-cooled tanks, with tracking at every stage of the journey. Once they arrive at the cryostorage location, they will be integrated into TMRW’s automated storage system. The location and status of your specimen inventory will be updated and reflected in your electronic medical record for your reference.

Patients can reach out to our Long-Term Storage Transition Team via storage@ihrfertility.com or (312) 288-6420 ext. 80086 or press 4.

If patients wish to opt-out of this transition, they need to submit this quick and easy request via their Patient Portal by Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

Find more information about our partner, TMRW Life Sciences (TMRW)  in these resources:

• TMRW for Patients
• TMRW Life Sciences