Biosample freezing apparatus and method of freezing

Abstract

A biological sample freezing apparatus for freezing biological samples contained in tube-like sample containers (10). The freezing apparatus comprises a heat transmission block (20) that is cooled to a predetermined temperature and / or at predetermined cooling rate, the heat transmission block having a plurality of separate openings (21) that extend through the block (20) from one end to the other end. One of the sample containers is inserted into and passed through each of the openings (21).

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-230875 filed on Aug. 6, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for freezing biological samples and is also effective when applied to cooling and freezing cells or tissues such as semen or embryos for cryopreservation. Background technique [0004] For cryopreservation of biological samples such as semen or embryos, it is necessary to cool the sample, which is at room temperature or in a non-frozen state, to freezing, where damage can occur if the cooling rate to reach the frozen state is not suitable. That is, if the cooling rate is too high, the frozen cells will retain moisture inside, which will cause ice to form inside the cells, and the cells will suffer fatal damage. On the other hand, if the cooling rate is too low, damage to the cells can also oc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, although cameras are used to monitor the cooling state of the sample container 10' mounted on the sled 84, the controlled temperature of the heat transfer blocks 80A, 80B, 80C does not necessarily accurately reflect the temperature used for sample container 10' cooling. condition, because the sample container 10' is cooled via the air layer in the channels 81A, 81B, 81C

In addition, since the heat transfer condition is unstable under the interference of the air layer in the channels 81A, 81B, 81C, the reproducibility of the cooling condition is poor.

[0016] Furthermore, the sled 84 is thermally inserted between the sample container 10' and the heat transfer blocks 80A, 80B, 80C, the sled 84 is the one that causes the heat transfer between the sample container 10 and the heat transfer blocks 80A, 80B, 80C to be unstable. Inhibitors

[0017] Thus, with the above technique, it is difficult to precisely set the cooling conditions by the temperature of the heat transfer blocks 80A, 80B, 80C, the reproducibility of the cooling conditions for the sample containers 10' is poor, and there is a possibility of cooling conditions between the sample containers 10' The change

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