Specimen freezing rate regulator device

Abstract

A system and method for concurrently and uniformly removing thermal energy from a specimen sample. A thermal insulating device is provided comprising an insulating material, the device having a plurality of chambers for receiving specimen samples, the device further includes a thermal ballast whereby the rate of thermal energy removal is controlled and influenced by the thermal ballast.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to devices that will regulate the rate of heat loss from sample or specimen vials contained within, following placement of the assembly into a lower temperature environment, thereby producing the desired temperature reduction profile. In particular, the device is intended to be used with live cell suspensions to provide the appropriate freezing rate for enhanced cell survival following cryogenic storage.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Common and accepted methods for long-term storage of tissues and live cells typically involve long-term storage of the sample at a temperature at which molecular activity is significantly reduced. At sufficiently reduced temperatures, the specimens can be stored most likely indefinitely without degradation. The recovery of live cells preserved by this method is dependent upon minimizing injurious ice crystal growth in the intracellular region both during the freezing process and the thawing process. A...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Some aspects of the specimen freezing rate regulation device provide a method for controlling the temperature reduction rate of specimen vial contents. The device typically comprises a base container wherein receptacle cavities will accept the placement of specimen vials, and a cover which forms an upper seal for the specimen receptacle cavities.

Problems solved by technology

If the freezing of the intracellular solution is coincident with the appropriate level of water content, the size of the crystals resulting from the crystallization of the remaining intracellular water will not be sufficient to cause damage to the cell.

If, however, the degree of water removal from the cell is excessive, or if the exposure of the cells to concentrated extracellular solutes is too long in duration, damage to cellular structures will incur, resulting in reduced cell survival upon thawing.

Although the regulated freezing chambers are effective in reproducing the desired temperature reduction rate, the cost of the units can be prohibitive.

In addition, the requirement for freezing device availability is not uniform in typical laboratory environments, resulting in freezing backlogs until the chambers become available.

This method, however, provides inconsistent and sometimes inferior survival rates and most importantly post-thaw cell function or such methods can result in an unintentional and undesirable selection of sub-populations of cells.

The method, however, introduces various burdensome problems.

The alcohol change requirement adds a reoccurring cost to the product in the form of the requirement for a supply of fresh alcohol and the cost of proper toxic waste disposal of the expired alcohol.

The requirement for alcohol imposes a potential fire hazard during the alcohol exchange phase or in the event of spillage or breakage of the device.

The relatively large thermal mass of the assembly also places a burden on the mechanical freezer causing a transient rise in the interior temperature of the freezer.

If archival samples are present in the vicinity of the freezing unit, the samples may experience a thermal cycling that can contribute to premature degradation of the samples.

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