Abstract: The present invention provides a method for expanding a pre-assembled closed, sterile container system used for the collection, transportation, storage and cryopreservation of biological fluids, such as, blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. The closed sterile bag system comprises a plurality of parts including inlet and or outlet elements and regions for mixing and storing body fluids and cryopreservation liquids, wherein connecting lines provide sterile connection of each component, and wherein the parts are hermetically sealable and separable to maintain sterility system. The methods herein further provide a means for introducing fluids into and/or extracting fluids from a pre-assembled, closed, sterile container system, while maintaining a closed, sterile system without the need to operate under ultra-clean room conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bag system for the cryopreservation of body fluids, that is blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood, the parts of the bag system being sterilized, and separable from one another, wherein liquids which permit and/or assist cryopreservation are located in the bag system and/or may be introduced into the bag system in a sterile form. The bag system, at least, comprising: a device for the direct removal of body fluid (1) from the living body, a region or number of regions for mixing the liquids with the body fluid and/or for storing the mixture of liquids and body fluid, a number of shut-off elements (2) and connecting lines (3) and an inlet element (4) and/or an outlet element (5).