Improvements in or relating to cryogenic vials

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of cryopreservation tubes, and particularly discloses an improved structure of a cryopreservation tube, which comprises a glass tube body and a plastic tube cover, a low-temperature-resistant rubber hose is sleeved on the plastic tube cover, the plastic tube cover is clamped and installed in the opening of the glass tube body through the low-temperature-resistant rubber hose, a hollow pipeline is arranged in the plastic tube cover, and a one-way valve structure capable of exhausting gas only outward is arranged at the upper end of the hollow pipeline. The sealing performance of the cryopreservation tube is improved, gas can be smoothly exhausted to the outside of the tube after the gas in the glass tube body expands, meanwhile, the gas outside the tube is prevented from entering the tube, and the risk that sample pollution and glass cryopreservation tube burst are caused by the insufficient sealing performance of the cryopreservation tube is effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of cryopreservation tube technology, and specifically relates to an improved structure of cryopreservation tube. Background Technology

[0002] Cryopreservation tubes, also known as microbial culture tubes, are indispensable laboratory tools in biological research and medicine. They are specifically used for the transfer, cryogenic transport, and long-term storage of biological samples such as microorganisms, cells, tissues, DNA, and RNA. Their importance lies in maintaining the viability and integrity of biological samples, providing valuable materials for scientific research and medical diagnosis.

[0003] Currently, cryovials are mainly divided into two categories based on their material: medical plastic cryovials and glass cryovials. Medical plastic cryovials, due to their lightweight, fragility, and lower cost, exhibit significant advantages in the storage and transportation of large-scale samples. Furthermore, the wide range of colors available for plastic cryovials provides laboratory personnel with a convenient means of sample differentiation, especially in experimental environments requiring frequent movement and handling, where their convenience is highly valued. Glass cryovials, on the other hand, possess excellent chemical stability and high transparency. Their material not only resists reactions with the stored samples but also allows researchers to visually observe the sample's condition. Therefore, for precious cell lines, gene bank samples, and other samples requiring long-term preservation and extremely high chemical stability, as well as research scenarios requiring frequent monitoring of sample status, glass cryovials are undoubtedly the more ideal choice.

[0004] However, in actual use, if the sealing cap and other sealing components of the cryovial fail to achieve an effective seal, or if there are even tiny gaps, liquid nitrogen may carry air into the cryovial. This not only poses a risk of sample contamination but also represents a potential safety hazard for the glass cryovial itself. When the glass cryovial is removed from the liquid nitrogen container, the rapid increase in temperature inside the tube causes the liquid nitrogen to vaporize and produce nitrogen gas, and the expansion of the air inside the tube due to heat, leading to an increase in internal pressure. In extreme cases, this can cause the glass cryovial to rupture. Furthermore, the worse the seal, the more liquid nitrogen remains, further increasing the risk of tube bursting.

[0005] Therefore, we propose an improved structure for cryopreservation tubes to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention proposes an improved structure for cryopreservation tubes.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0008] An improved structure for a cryopreservation tube includes a glass tube body and a plastic tube cap. A low-temperature resistant rubber hose is fitted onto the plastic tube cap. The plastic tube cap is clamped into the opening of the glass tube body by the low-temperature resistant rubber hose. The inside of the plastic tube cap is provided with a hollow pipe, and a one-way valve structure that can only vent air is installed at the upper end of the hollow pipe.

[0009] In a further technical solution, the one-way valve structure includes a valve seat and a valve cover that mates with the valve seat. The valve seat is disposed inside a hollow pipe, and a receiving cavity is provided between the valve cover and the valve seat. A diaphragm is disposed inside the receiving cavity, and the diaphragm is placed on the valve seat. The valve seat has a channel that communicates with the hollow pipe through the diaphragm below it. The top surface of the valve cover has an exhaust hole that communicates with the receiving cavity. A stop post is provided below the top surface of the valve cover, and the stop post is pressed tightly against the middle of the diaphragm.

[0010] In a further technical solution, the valve seat is provided with an installation ring groove inside, the cross-sectional shape of the installation ring groove is a right trapezoid facing inward, and the valve cover is provided with an installation block that mates with the installation ring groove. The valve cover is installed in the installation ring groove of the valve seat through the installation block.

[0011] In a further technical solution, the valve seat is made of silicone rubber or fluororubber.

[0012] In a further technical solution, a protective cover is provided above the valve cover, the protective cover is clamped and installed inside the hollow pipe, and the protective cover has multiple through holes.

[0013] In a further technical solution, the plastic tube cap is made of medical-grade polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0014] In a further technical solution, a one-way valve structure is also installed at the lower end of the hollow pipe.

[0015] In a further technical solution, a pressure sensor is installed on the inner wall of the hollow pipe between the two one-way valve structures.

[0016] In a further technical solution, a pipe clamp is also included, wherein the upper end of the low-temperature resistant rubber hose is turned outward and fitted onto the opening of the glass tube, and the pipe clamp is tightly fitted onto the turned-out low-temperature resistant rubber hose.

[0017] In a further technical solution, the pipe clamp is broken in the middle and both ends are connected to adjustment seats, and the two adjustment seats are connected and locked by bolts.

[0018] In a further technical solution, a label is provided on the plastic tube cap.

[0019] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] 1. In the one-way valve structure of the present invention, when the gas inside the glass tube expands due to the increase in ambient temperature, the outer edge of the diaphragm will rise under the action of the internal gas pressure, causing the channel and the exhaust hole to connect with each other, thereby allowing the internal gas to escape smoothly. This effectively prevents the rapid increase in the pressure inside the tube and avoids the risk of tube bursting due to excessive pressure inside the tube. When the gas pressure inside the cryopreservation tube returns to stability, the diaphragm will cover and seal the channel again under its own gravity, thereby effectively blocking the connection between the channel and the exhaust hole and preventing outside air from entering the tube.

[0021] 2. This invention, by placing a low-temperature resistant rubber hose between the glass tube and the plastic cap, not only enhances the sealing performance of the cryopreservation tube and effectively prevents liquid nitrogen carrying air from entering the glass tube, ensuring the purity and integrity of the sample and avoiding the possibility of potential sample contamination, but also fundamentally solves the safety hazard of liquid nitrogen and its carried air seeping into the cryopreservation tube due to poor sealing, rapidly vaporizing when the temperature rises, leading to a sharp increase in internal pressure and ultimately causing the tube to explode.

[0022] 3. The plastic tube cap of the present invention is equipped with a one-way valve structure at both the upper and lower ends. The two one-way valve structures work together. Even if one of the one-way valve structures fails or is damaged, the other one-way valve structure can still continue to function, ensuring that the gas strictly follows the one-way path from the inside of the tube to the outside, which is irreversible. This significantly enhances the reliability and stability of gas control and provides a solid guarantee for the safe use of cryopreservation tubes.

[0023] 4. The present invention installs a pressure sensor on the inner wall of the hollow pipe between two one-way valve structures, which can effectively judge the integrity of the plastic pipe cover based on the rate of change of the pressure sensor reading, providing strong support for the quality inspection and maintenance of the plastic pipe cover.

[0024] 5. This invention reduces the risk of the low-temperature resistant rubber hose accidentally falling into the glass tube when the plastic tube cap is removed, by turning the low-temperature resistant rubber hose outward and sleeve it over the opening of the glass tube, and applying appropriate clamping force with a tube clamp. This is different from directly sleeve the low-temperature resistant rubber hose over the plastic tube cap. This effectively protects the integrity and safety of the sample. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the direction of the cutting symbol AA;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a single one-way valve structure of the present invention.

[0030] Reference numerals: 1-Glass tube body, 2-Plastic tube cap, 3-Low temperature resistant rubber hose, 4-Hollow pipe, 5-Valve seat, 6-Valve cover, 7-Receiving cavity, 8-Diaphragm, 9-Channel, 10-Exhaust port, 11-Abutting post, 12-Mounting ring groove, 13-Mounting block, 14-Protective cover, 15-Through hole, 16-Pressure sensor, 17-Pipe clamp, 18-Adjusting seat, 19-Bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] See Figures 1-4 The present invention provides an improved structure for cryopreservation tubes, including a glass tube body 1 and a plastic tube cap 2. A low-temperature resistant rubber hose 3 is fitted onto the plastic tube cap 2. The plastic tube cap 2 is clamped and installed in the opening of the glass tube body 1 by the low-temperature resistant rubber hose 3. A hollow pipe 4 is provided inside the plastic tube cap 2, and a one-way valve structure that can only exhaust gas is installed at the upper end of the hollow pipe 4.

[0033] The improved structure of this cryopreservation tube incorporates a one-way valve within the hollow tube 4 inside the plastic cap 2, allowing only outward venting. This one-way valve effectively prevents external air from entering the tube under liquid nitrogen storage conditions. When the cryopreservation tube is removed from the liquid nitrogen environment, the rapid temperature rise causes the air inside to expand. The one-way valve then allows the expanding gas to escape safely, preventing a sharp increase in internal pressure and avoiding the potential bursting of traditional cryopreservation tubes due to pressure resistance. Furthermore, the improved structure includes a cryogenic rubber hose 3 fitted over the plastic cap 2. This hose's elasticity and sealing properties allow the cap to fit tightly against the opening of the glass tube 1, eliminating any small gaps between the tube and cap. This design not only enhances the cryopreservation tube's sealing performance but also effectively prevents liquid nitrogen from carrying air into the glass tube 1, ensuring sample purity and integrity and avoiding potential sample contamination. At the same time, it also fundamentally solves the safety hazard of liquid nitrogen and its carried air seeping into the cryogenic tube due to poor sealing, which then rapidly vaporizes when the temperature rises, leading to a sharp increase in internal pressure and ultimately causing the tube to burst.

[0034] In one specific implementation, see Figures 2-4 The one-way valve structure includes a valve seat 5 and a valve cover 6 that is installed in conjunction with the valve seat 5. The valve seat 5 is disposed inside a hollow pipe 4. A receiving cavity 7 is provided between the valve cover 6 and the valve seat 5. A diaphragm 8 is provided inside the receiving cavity 7. The diaphragm 8 covers the valve seat 5. A channel 9 communicating with the hollow pipe 4 is provided through the valve seat 5 below the diaphragm 8. An exhaust hole 10 communicating with the receiving cavity 7 is provided on the top surface of the valve cover 6. An abutment post 11 is provided below the top surface of the valve cover 6. The abutment post 11 is pressed tightly against the middle of the diaphragm 8.

[0035] The one-way valve structure, through the design of the valve seat 5, valve cover 6, diaphragm 8, and the holes on the valve seat 5 and valve cover 6, ensures the one-way flow of gas. This means gas can only be discharged from inside the tube to the outside, preventing outside air from entering. This is crucial for preventing the cryogenic tube from bursting due to excessive internal pressure. Specifically, when the cryogenic tube is removed from the liquid nitrogen storage environment, the gas inside expands due to the increased ambient temperature. Because the middle of the diaphragm 8 is pressed tightly by the abutment post 11, the outer edge of the diaphragm 8 will rise under the pressure of the internal gas, causing the channel 9 and the vent 10 to connect. This allows the internal gas to escape smoothly, effectively preventing a rapid increase in internal pressure and avoiding the risk of tube bursting due to excessive internal pressure. When the air pressure inside the cryopreservation tube stabilizes, the diaphragm 8, under its own gravity, re-covers and seals the channel 9, effectively blocking the connection between the channel 9 and the vent 10, preventing outside air from entering the tube, ensuring the safety and integrity of the sample during storage, and providing a solid guarantee for the long-term preservation of the sample.

[0036] In one specific implementation, see Figure 3 The valve seat 5 has an internal mounting annular groove 12. The cross-sectional shape of the mounting annular groove 12 is a right trapezoid facing inward. The valve cover 6 has a mounting block 13 that cooperates with the mounting annular groove 12. The valve cover 6 is installed in the mounting annular groove 12 of the valve seat 5 through the mounting block 13.

[0037] The fit between mounting block 13 and mounting ring groove 12 optimizes the assembly process of valve cover 6 and valve seat 5, making their assembly simpler and achieving good assembly results without relying on complex tools or additional fasteners. This design not only simplifies the assembly process but also effectively reduces assembly costs.

[0038] In one specific embodiment, the valve seat 5 is made of silicone rubber.

[0039] Silicone rubber possesses excellent low-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and sealing performance, maintaining its physical and chemical stability even at liquid nitrogen storage temperatures. This characteristic ensures a tight, gapless fit between the valve seat 5 and the hollow pipe 4, significantly improving the sealing performance of the plastic pipe cap 2. Furthermore, the elasticity of silicone rubber facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly between the mounting block 13 and the mounting ring groove 12, greatly simplifying maintenance of the plastic pipe cap 2. Given the superior performance of silicone rubber, it is a preferred material for components such as the low-temperature resistant rubber hose 3 and the diaphragm 8. It is also worth noting that fluororubber, with comparable performance to silicone rubber, is a worthwhile alternative material to consider.

[0040] In one specific implementation, see Figure 1 and Figure 3 A protective cover 14 is provided above the valve cover 6. The protective cover 14 is clamped and installed inside the hollow pipe 4. The protective cover 14 has multiple through holes 15.

[0041] The presence of the protective cover 14 provides additional protection for the one-way valve structure below, effectively reducing the damage that accidental impacts may cause to the one-way valve structure, thereby extending the service life of the one-way valve structure.

[0042] In one specific embodiment, the plastic tube cap 2 is made of medical-grade polypropylene.

[0043] Medical-grade polypropylene exhibits excellent biocompatibility and is unlikely to react with stored samples, ensuring sample purity and safety. Furthermore, it maintains stable physical and chemical properties under liquid nitrogen storage conditions, providing reliable protection for long-term sample preservation. In addition, the plastic tube caps made of medical-grade polypropylene are not only relatively inexpensive but also available in a variety of colors, offering laboratory personnel an intuitive and convenient way to differentiate samples, effectively improving work efficiency. Of course, the choice of material for the plastic tube caps is not limited to medical-grade polypropylene; common medical plastics such as polyethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride also possess good performance and can be flexibly selected according to specific needs.

[0044] In one specific implementation, see Figure 2 The lower end of the hollow pipe 4 is also equipped with a one-way valve structure.

[0045] Both ends of the plastic tube cap 2 are equipped with one-way valve structures. The two one-way valve structures work together, ensuring that even if one one-way valve structure fails or is damaged, the other one-way valve structure can still function, ensuring that the gas strictly follows a one-way discharge path from inside the tube to the outside, which is irreversible. This design significantly enhances the reliability and stability of gas control, providing a solid guarantee for the safe use of cryopreservation tubes.

[0046] In one specific implementation, see Figure 2 and Figure 3 A pressure sensor 16 is installed on the inner wall of the hollow pipe 4 between the two one-way valve structures.

[0047] The pressure sensor 16 uses wireless transmission technology to monitor pressure changes within the hollow pipe 4. The gas inside the hollow pipe 4 is sealed by one-way valves at both ends, creating a relatively closed environment. When the cryogenic tube is removed from the liquid nitrogen storage environment, the internal gas expands due to the temperature rise. This means that if the gas pressure has not fully stabilized during this process, the pressure sensor 16 will typically read a value lower than standard atmospheric pressure. Using this design, a comparative experiment can be conducted by placing two plastic tube caps 2 simultaneously in the liquid nitrogen storage environment for a period of time. One plastic tube cap 2 has intact one-way valves at both ends, while the other plastic tube cap 2 has one or both one-way valves damaged. After a period of cryogenic storage, the two plastic tube caps 2 are removed, and a significant difference can be observed: the pressure sensor 16 reading inside the plastic tube cap 2 with damaged one-way valves changes significantly faster. Specifically, the gas inside the plastic tube cap 2 with damaged one-way valves can exchange with the outside atmosphere more quickly, therefore its pressure sensor 16 reading changes to a value close to standard atmospheric pressure more rapidly. Based on this distinction, the integrity of the plastic pipe cap 2 can be effectively judged, providing strong support for the quality inspection and maintenance of the plastic pipe cap 2.

[0048] In one specific implementation, see Figure 1 It also includes a clamp 17, wherein the upper end of the low-temperature resistant rubber hose 3 is turned outward and fitted onto the opening of the glass tube 1, and the clamp 17 is tightly fitted onto the turned-out low-temperature resistant rubber hose 3.

[0049] The cryogenic rubber tubing 3 no longer needs to be fitted onto the plastic cap 2. Instead, one end of the cryogenic rubber tubing 3 is inserted into the opening of the glass tube 1, while the other end is folded outwards and fitted onto the opening of the glass tube 1. Then, appropriate clamping force is applied using the tubing clamp 17 to ensure a secure connection between the cryogenic rubber tubing 3 and the glass tube 1. Compared to directly fitting the cryogenic rubber tubing 3 onto the plastic cap 2, this reduces the risk of the cryogenic rubber tubing 3 accidentally detaching and falling into the glass tube 1 during the removal of the plastic cap 2, thus effectively protecting the integrity and safety of the sample.

[0050] In one specific implementation, see Figure 1 The pipe clamp 17 is broken in the middle and both ends are connected to adjustment seats 18. The two adjustment seats 18 are connected and locked by bolts 19.

[0051] By connecting two adjusting seats 18 with bolts 19, the clamp 17 enables fine adjustment of the clamping force of the low-temperature resistant rubber hose 3 on the glass tube 1. This adjustment method is not only easy to operate, but also exhibits extremely high flexibility, adapting to various glass tubes 1 with different diameters, greatly improving the convenience and applicability of use.

[0052] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An improved structure for cryopreservation tubes, characterized in that, It includes a glass tube (1) and a plastic tube cap (2). The plastic tube cap (2) is fitted with a low-temperature resistant rubber hose (3). The plastic tube cap (2) is clamped and installed in the opening of the glass tube (1) through the low-temperature resistant rubber hose (3). The inside of the plastic tube cap (2) is provided with a hollow pipe (4), and a one-way valve structure that can only exhaust gas is installed at the upper end of the hollow pipe (4).

2. The improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way valve structure includes a valve seat (5) and a valve cover (6) that is installed in conjunction with the valve seat (5). The valve seat (5) is located inside a hollow pipe (4). A receiving cavity (7) is provided between the valve cover (6) and the valve seat (5). A diaphragm (8) is provided inside the receiving cavity (7). The diaphragm (8) covers the valve seat (5). The valve seat (5) has a channel (9) that communicates with the hollow pipe (4) through the diaphragm (8) below it. The top surface of the valve cover (6) is provided with an exhaust hole (10) that communicates with the receiving cavity (7). A stop post (11) is provided below the top surface of the valve cover (6). The stop post (11) is pressed tightly against the middle of the diaphragm (8).

3. The improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve seat (5) has an installation ring groove (12) inside. The cross-sectional shape of the installation ring groove (12) is a right trapezoid facing inward. The valve cover (6) has an installation block (13) that cooperates with the installation ring groove (12). The valve cover (6) is installed in the installation ring groove (12) of the valve seat (5) through the installation block (13).

4. The improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 3, characterized in that, The valve seat (5) is made of silicone rubber or fluororubber.

5. The improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 2, characterized in that, A protective cover (14) is provided above the valve cover (6). The protective cover (14) is clamped and installed inside the hollow pipe (4). Multiple through holes (15) are provided on the protective cover (14).

6. The improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plastic tube cap (2) is made of medical grade polypropylene, polyethylene or polyvinylidene fluoride.

7. An improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The lower end of the hollow pipe (4) is also equipped with a one-way valve structure.

8. The improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 7, characterized in that, A pressure sensor (16) is installed on the inner wall of the hollow pipe (4) between the two one-way valve structures.

9. The improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a pipe clamp (17), the upper end of the low-temperature resistant rubber hose (3) is turned outward and sleeved on the opening of the glass tube (1), and the pipe clamp (17) is tightly sleeved on the turned-out low-temperature resistant rubber hose (3).

10. An improved structure of a cryopreservation tube according to claim 9, characterized in that, The pipe clamp (17) is broken in the middle and both ends are connected to adjustment seats (18). The two adjustment seats (18) are connected and locked by bolts (19).

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