What is the Origin of Dry Ice Shipping?

The technique originates from cryopreservation and rigorous clinical laboratory logistics, where maintaining ultra-low temperatures is paramount to prevent enzymatic degradation or denaturation of biomolecules post-collection. The term directly describes the use of dry ice, the solid form of CO2, as the high-capacity cooling agent. This methodology ensures the sample's time-zero chemistry is maintained.

What is the Mechanism of Dry Ice Shipping?

Dry ice shipping functions by rapidly freezing the biological sample and maintaining a temperature far below the freezing point of water, effectively halting all metabolic and enzymatic activity within the specimen. This preservation mechanism ensures that the measured concentration of sensitive hormonal biomarkers upon sophisticated laboratory analysis accurately reflects the patient's physiological state at the precise time of collection, preventing spurious results.

Dry Ice Shipping ∞ Area

Dry Ice Shipping

Meaning

Dry Ice Shipping is the specialized logistical process of transporting highly sensitive biological specimens, such as blood, urine, or tissue samples, at extremely low temperatures, typically around -78.5 degrees Celsius, utilizing solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) as the refrigerant. This stringent method is absolutely essential for preserving the integrity of highly labile analytes, including certain peptide hormones and unstable metabolites, for accurate diagnostic testing.