Shock absorber for protecting biomaterial frozen for preservation

Abstract

To provide a shock absorber for protecting a biomaterial frozen for preservation.SOLUTION: A shock absorber for protecting a biomaterial frozen for preservation comprises an outside sleeve and a foam sleeve. The outside sleeve that defines an internal volume comprises an opening constituted so as to pass through a biological material container, in the internal volume. The foam sleeve in the internal volume comprises another opening and an internal cavity. The opening of the outside sleeve and the other opening of the foam sleeve are made to be identical to each other to allow the biological material container to pass through the inner cavity. According to another embodiment, the shock absorber comprises a first layer, a foam layer, and a liner layer for holding the foam layer. A first side face of the foam layer is adjacent to a second side face of the first layer, and is opposed to the second side face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of biomaterial storage and transport, and more particularly to a shock absorbing device for protecting cryopreserved biomaterial. [Background technology]

[0002] Most or all biological materials, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and engineered tissue products, are subjected to varying lengths of hypothermic preservation to ensure survival, recovery during ex vivo storage, and return to normal biological function after ex vivo storage. Current methods use a variety of insulated transport containers and various formulations of biopreservation media. One method for storing and transporting biological fluids, such as blood, involves placing them in deformable thermoplastic bags, which are then placed in rigid metal cassettes. The cassettes provide organization and protection for the plastic bags in cryogenic freezers. The cassettes are typically sized to accommodate the plastic bags without excess space, ensuring uniform distribution of the biological fluid and uniform freezing and thawing rates.

[0003] Freezing some materials, including storage container materials and biological materials, to extremely low temperatures (e.g., -196°C or lower) can make them brittle and susceptible to damage from shocks experienced during transport. As noted in the example above, thermoplastic bags containing biological fluids can become brittle when frozen. Multiple freezing cassettes, as described above, containing thermoplastic bags containing biological fluids can be secured within a dry vapor shipper to maintain low temperatures during transport. Shock and vibration experienced by the dry vapor shipper can be transmitted to the multiple cassettes and the plastic bags inside, potentially rupturing one or more of the plastic bags and resulting in a catastrophic loss of biological fluid. In the case of cell or gene therapy products, the lost fluid could be life-saving material created for a single patient at a very high financial cost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Shock absorbers are devices that protect cryogenically frozen biological specimens by absorbing, mitigating, and attenuating the physical forces that act on the specimens, which can cause damage to cryogenic storage and transportation materials.

[0005] In one embodiment, the shock absorbing device includes an outer sleeve defining an interior volume and having an opening configured to pass a biological material container through the interior volume; and a foam sleeve within the interior volume, the foam sleeve having an opening and an interior cavity, the opening of the foam sleeve aligned with the opening of the outer sleeve for passing the biological material container through the interior cavity.

[0006] In another embodiment, an impact absorbing device comprises a first layer having a first side and a second side; a foam layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the foam layer adjacent to and facing the second side of the first layer; and a liner layer holding the foam layer, the liner layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the liner layer adjacent to and facing the second side of the foam layer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an isometric view showing an impact absorbing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an isometric view of an impact absorbing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is an isometric view of an impact absorbing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the impact absorbing device of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the impact absorbing device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a single layer structure of a foam material. [Figure 7] 2 is an open end view of the impact absorbing device of FIG. 1, in which the foam sleeve is a continuous, one-piece piece. [Figure 8] 1 is an open end view of an embodiment of an impact absorbing device in which the foam sleeve includes a breakaway piece. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view of one embodiment of an impact absorbing device showing an outer sleeve through a foam sleeve, an inner liner, and a liquid absorbent liner. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 illustrates another embodiment of a shock absorbing device including an alternative embodiment of an outer sleeve. [Figure 11] 11A-11C illustrate folding of the foldable closure element to close the opening of the outer sleeve of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11A-11C illustrate folding of the foldable closure element to close the opening of the outer sleeve of FIG. 10. [Figure 13] 11A-11C illustrate folding of the foldable closure element to close the opening of the outer sleeve of FIG. 10. [Figure 14] 11 shows the handle of the shock absorbing device of FIG. 10, the handle positioned for use. [Figure 15] 11 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the foam sleeve of the outer sleeve of FIG. 10, the outer sleeve being partially cut away to show the foam sleeve including a plurality of foam panels. [Figure 16] 16 is a partial cutaway view showing one of the foam panels of FIG. 15 entirely surrounded by one of the liners of FIG. 15. FIG. EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0008] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it will be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the following description is by way of example only.

[0009] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprise," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and thus identify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as such. It is also understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0010] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged," "connected," or "coupled" to another element or layer, it can be directly engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly," "directly engaged," "directly connected," or "directly coupled" on another element or layer, there may not be any intervening elements or layers present. Other terms used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between" vs. "directly between," "adjacent" vs. "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0011] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "inside," "outside," "below," "down," "above," and "above" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature, as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were turned over, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features would be reoriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the illustrative term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein would be interpreted accordingly.

[0012] The term "elastic deformation" is understood to mean a reversible change in the dimensions of a material, where the material has a first set of dimensions when no force is applied to the material, transitions to a second set of dimensions when a force is applied to the material, and transitions to the original set of dimensions when the force is removed. Such deformation can result from forces including, but not limited to, changes in spatial dimensions and combinations thereof (e.g., changes in volume, cross-sectional shape, and diameter), and including, but not limited to, forces in compression and / or stretching under tension.

[0013] As described above, shock absorbers protect cryogenically frozen biological materials by absorbing, attenuating, or dampening physical forces that would otherwise damage the cryogenically stored and / or transported materials. Figure 1 is an isometric view of a shock absorber 10. As seen in Figure 1, the shock absorber 10 includes an outer sleeve 12. The outer sleeve 12 can be made from high-density polyethylene fibers or other similarly strong, thin, and flexible materials. DuPont's Tyvek® is a paper-like flash-spun high-density polyethylene fiber, formed by first spinning 0.5-10 μm non-directional fibers (plexifilaments) and then bonding them together with heat and pressure without a binder. The outer sleeve 12 is shown as a three-dimensional parallelepiped to correspond to the shape of a particular metal cassette for storing cryogenically frozen bags of biological fluids (e.g., blood), but other shapes are contemplated to match other cryogenic storage and transport containers. The outer dimensions of the outer sleeve 12 can be standardized to fit uniformly within dry vapor transport containers, etc.

[0014] The outer sleeve 12 may have an opening 14 configured to pass a biological material container (e.g., a cassette, not shown) through to the interior volume 16. A securing element, such as a flap 18, may be closed and / or sealed over the opening 14 to close the opening 14 and secure the biological material container therein. The flap 18 may be closed or sealed, or in some embodiments reclosed or resealed, using any now known or future developed fastening element, including, but not limited to, hook and loop, adhesive, button, zipper, clip, magnet, and snap. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening element is a pressure-sensitive adhesive 22 on the flap 18, which may seal the flap 18 to the exterior surface of another portion of the outer sleeve 12. The flap 18 and opening 14 may be alternatively positioned, such as by rotating the flap 18 vertically from the orientation shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows another example, in which the flap 18 is pulled open on the largest side of the outer sleeve 12. Opening 14 may be configured in any practical manner to allow for insertion and retention of a biological storage container, and opening 14 may be closed or sealed using any now known or future developed securing element for retaining a biological material container.

[0015] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the shock absorbing device 10 of Figure 1, and Figure 5 shows a vertical cross-section of the shock absorbing device 10. A foam sleeve 26 resides within the interior volume 16 of the outer sleeve 12 and is layered or lined with the interior side 27 of the outer sleeve 12 such that an exterior side 28 of the foam sleeve 26 faces the interior side 27 of the outer sleeve 12 and an opening 29 of the foam sleeve 26 aligns with the opening 14 of the outer sleeve 12. The foam sleeve 26 acts as a primary shock absorbing or attenuating material that absorbs, dissipates, and / or attenuates physical forces applied to the shock absorbing device 10 that would otherwise be transmitted to the biological material container 30 and / or the biological material contained therein (not shown).

[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a single layer of foam material 32 structure that can be used to manufacture foam sleeve 26. As shown in Figure 4, the foam of foam sleeve 26 may have cells or cells 34 with polyhedral cell windows or faces 36 separated by linear boundaries or edges 38. The density of foam material 32 can be measured in pores per inch ("PPI"). In embodiments, foam sleeve 26 has a density in the range of 10 to 40 PPI (approximately 3.94 to 15.75 pores per centimeter).

[0017] In some embodiments, the foam of the foam sleeve 26 can be or include reticulated foam. Reticulated foam is a highly porous, low-density solid foam. Reticulated foam has few, if any, intact cells 34 and polyhedral cell windows 36. In reticulated foam, only linear boundaries 38 where the cell windows 36 meet remain, and the polyhedral cell windows 36 are absent. The solid component of reticulated foam can be an organic polymer such as polyurethane, a ceramic, a metal, or the like.

[0018] When at ambient temperature, the foam sleeve 26 may be flexible and deformable, allowing it to conform around cryogenically frozen biological material or a cryogenic freezing container for biological material (e.g., biological material container 30). During use of the shock-absorbing container 10, cryogenically frozen biological material and / or a container of cryogenically frozen biological material can be quickly placed through the opening 14 in the outer sleeve 12 and through the opening 29 in the foam sleeve 26 into the interior volume 39 of the foam sleeve 26. The unfrozen or room-temperature foam sleeve 26 can conform to the shape of the biological material container 30 and rapidly harden when the foam sleeve is rapidly cryogenically frozen. When the temperature of the foam sleeve 26 drops below a certain temperature, e.g., 0°C, the material becomes hard. Hard materials become more brittle, especially reticulated, low-density foams. In its frozen, brittle state, the foam sleeve 26 can withstand minor fractures of the surface 36 and / or edge 38, or just the edge 38 in the case of reticulated foam, upon impact or vibration. These fractures absorb or dampen the force of the shock or vibration, thereby dampening or eliminating transmission of the force to the interior volume 39 and / or the biological material therein. Generally, the faces 36 of the non-reticulated foam can withstand a greater force before fracture than the mere edges 38 of the reticulated foam. Thus, the reticulated foam can absorb lower force impacts, while the non-reticulated foam can absorb higher force impacts.

[0019] The foam sleeve 26 can be one continuous piece or multiple pieces that completely surround the internal cavity 39 intended to snugly hold the biological material container 30; or the foam sleeve 26 can include separate pieces on opposite sides of the internal cavity 39. Figures 7 and 8, which are open-end views of the shock absorber 10 and shock absorber 40, respectively, illustrate the foam sleeve 26 as a continuous, single piece and the foam sleeve 42 as separate pieces 44, 46 on opposite sides of the internal cavity 48. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the separate pieces 44, 46 of the illustrated foam sleeve 42 have a width W that is greater than the width of the biological material container 30 to provide shock protection and absorption in one direction around the entire circumference of the biological material container 30, although the separate pieces 44, 46 can also have a width W that is less than the width of the biological material container 30. Furthermore, because the separator pieces 44, 46 are constrained by the outer sleeve 12 from expanding or moving outward, they can be pressed inward against the biomaterial container 30 with sufficient force to reduce or prevent movement of the biomaterial container 30 relative to the separator pieces 44, 46. Each separator piece 44, 46 can have a deformable range for a thickness T that is compressed by the biomaterial container 30, such that any excess width W or length L (see FIG. 4 ) of the foam sleeve 42 beyond the width or length of the biomaterial container 30 can have a thickness T greater than the area of ​​the foam sleeve 42 that is compressed against the biomaterial container 30. The excess W or length L (see FIG. 4 ) acts to enclose the foam sleeve 42 around the biomaterial container 30. In the top view of FIG. 8 , a portion of the biomaterial container 30 is accordingly hidden behind the foam sleeve 42. This hidden portion is shown in dotted lines.

[0020] Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 , each wall of the foam sleeve 26 has deformability to a thickness T1 that is compressed by the biomaterial container 30, and may have a thickness within that range such that any excess width W or length L (see FIG. 4 ) of the foam sleeve 26 beyond the width or length of the biomaterial container 30 has a thickness T1 greater than the area of ​​the foam sleeve 26 that is compressed against the biomaterial container 30. The excess W or length L acts to surround the walls of the foam sleeve 26 around the periphery of the biomaterial container 30. In the top view of FIG. 7 , a portion of the biomaterial container 30 is accordingly hidden behind the foam sleeve 26. This hidden portion is shown in dotted lines.

[0021] To standardize the outer dimensions of the outer sleeve 12 while accommodating different sized biomaterial containers 30, the total thickness T2 of the foam sleeves 26, 42 can be varied. At ambient temperature, the foam sleeve 26 is flexible and deformable. During use of the shock absorbing device 10, a cryogenically frozen biological material container 30 containing a cryogenically frozen bag of biological fluid is quickly inserted from the opening 14 in the outer sleeve 12 through the opening 29 in the foam sleeve 26 and into the inner cavity 32. The unfrozen or room-temperature foam sleeve 26 can conform to the shape of the biological material container 30, and the foam sleeve quickly hardens as it is rapidly cryogenically frozen. When the temperature of the foam sleeve 26 drops below 0°C, the material becomes rigid. Rigid materials become brittle, especially reticulated, low-density foams. In its frozen, brittle state, the foam sleeve 26 can withstand small fractures in the cell surface or, in the case of reticulated foam, in the cell edges or strands during impact or vibration. These fractures absorb or dampen the forces of impact or vibration without transmitting the forces to the biological material container 30 and the thermoplastic bag contained therein. In this manner, shock and vibration energy is dissipated, attenuating or preventing transmission of the shock to the biological material container 30 and its contents.

[0022] Additionally, the shock absorbing device 10 can include an inner liner and / or a liquid-absorbing liner. FIG. 9 illustrates the shock absorbing device 60, looking through the outer sleeve 62 to the foam sleeve 64, which is similar or identical to the outer sleeve 12 and foam sleeve 26, and further showing the inner liner 66 and the liquid-absorbing liner 68. The inner liner 66 resides within the interior cavity 65 of the foam sleeve 64 and is configured to hold the foam sleeve 64 in place relative to the outer sleeve 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner liner 66 is integral with or secured to the inner surface 63 of the outer sleeve 62, forming a pocket or pouch that surrounds the foam sleeve 64. In some embodiments, the inner liner 66 completely surrounds the foam sleeve 64; in other embodiments, the inner liner 66 surrounds the entire foam sleeve 64 simply to hold the foam sleeve 64 in place relative to the outer sleeve 62. The inner liner 66 can also retain broken strands of the foam sleeve 64, collecting the broken strands and reducing or preventing the fragments from covering the biomaterial container (not shown in FIG. 9). A more open inner liner 66 may facilitate removal and replacement of the foam sleeve 64 to facilitate reuse of the impact absorbing device 60. A more enclosing inner liner 66 may promote better collection and retention of broken debris. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 , in which the inner liner 66 completely encloses the foam sleeve 64, the inner liner 66 includes a sealable or resealable opening 70 to allow removal and replacement of the foam sleeve 64 while still allowing for complete enclosure of the foam sleeve 64. The opening 70 may be closed, for example, by fastening an end 71 of the inner liner 66 to the inner surface 63 of the outer sleeve 62 using any suitable now known or later developed fastening means.

[0023] The liquid absorbent liner 68 in FIG. 8 is positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the foam sleeve 64 and is therefore also retained by the inner liner 66. The liquid absorbent liner 68 can be any material suitable for absorbing and retaining liquid. The liquid absorbent liner 68 is included in some embodiments, at least in part, to meet regulatory requirements for shipping infectious substances or exempt human specimens. In some embodiments, the liquid absorbent liner 68 is configured to have sufficient volume and absorbent capacity to completely absorb the volume of liquid contained within the biological material container (not shown in FIG. 9). In one embodiment, the biological material container includes or can contain a biological fluid pouch, e.g., capable of containing 25 mL to 250 mL of biological fluid. In some embodiments, one or more paper towels may be sufficient as the liquid absorbent liner 68. The inner liner 66 can be constructed of a hydrophilic material that is porous enough to allow liquids, such as liquid water or liquid nitrogen, to pass through, so that liquid outside the pocket or pouch defined by the inner liner 66 can reach the liquid absorbent liner 68. For example, a lightweight polyester nonwoven fabric may be suitable.

[0024] 10 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the shock absorbing device 80, including an alternative embodiment of the outer sleeve 82. The outer sleeve 82 includes a foldable closure element 84 for closing and sealing the opening 86 after inserting a biological material container 88. The foldable closure element 84 includes a top flap 90 having a central portion 91 and side tabs 92 on a first side wall 98. The foldable closure element 84 also includes a second side wall 100 and a third side wall 102 adjacent to each other and directly connected to the first side wall 98, with the second side wall 100 and the third side wall 102 facing each other. The fourth side wall 104 faces the first side wall 98 and is directly connected to the second side wall 100 and the third side wall 102.

[0025] 11-13 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the foldable closure element 84 step by step. As seen in FIGS. 11-13, the second side wall 100 and the third side wall 102 can be bent or folded such that the first side wall 98 and the fourth side wall 104 are pressed together. When the first side wall 98 and the fourth side wall 104 are pressed together, the central portion 91 of the top flap 90 is folded over the remainder of the foldable closure element 84, which can then be folded multiple times to wrap around the central portion 91 of the top flap 90. The side tabs 92 are then folded inward over the folded, wrapped central portion 91 and can be attached with any known adhesive or fastener. The central portion 91 of the top flap 90 and / or other portions of the first side wall 98 and / or fourth side wall 104 may include adhesive to adhere and / or seal the first side wall 98 to the fourth side wall 104. The first, second, third, and fourth side walls 98, 100, 102, 104 may be pre-folded to assist or guide a user in bending and / or folding, as shown in FIG.

[0026] 14 shows a handle 106 attached to the first side wall 98 and the fourth side wall 104 at the base 108 of the foldable closure element 84. The handle 106 can be rotated from the base 108 over the closed opening 86 and folded closure element 84 to allow a user to carry the shock absorbing device 80.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a foam sleeve 110 within the outer sleeve 82, with the outer sleeve 82 partially cut away to reveal the foam sleeve 110. The foam sleeve 110 includes multiple foam panels 112 (see FIG. 16), each enclosed in a separate panel-enclosing liner 114. The foam panels 112 and liners 114 are provided on all interior sides of the outer sleeve 82 except for the side having the opening 86. The side having the opening 86 can also be covered with the foam panel 112 and liner 114 after the biomaterial container (not shown in FIG. 15) is inserted into the outer sleeve 82, after the other foam panel 112 and liner 114 are inserted, and before the foldable closure element 84 is folded to close the opening 86. The foam panels 112 and corresponding liners 114 can be sized and positioned as desired.

[0028] FIG. 16 shows one of the foam panels 112 entirely surrounded by one of the panel enclosure liners 114, with a portion of the panel enclosure liner 114 cut away to reveal the interior foam panel 112. The panel encapsulation liner 114 is a sheet folded in half around the foam panel 112 and secured or sealed around the three unfolded edges to form a seam 116. A liquid absorbent liner 68 (not shown in FIG. 15 ) can also be included adjacent each foam panel 112, as shown and described with respect to other embodiments. The panel enclosure liner 114, similar to the inner liner 66 described with respect to other embodiments, can also retain broken strands of the foam panel 112, collecting them and reducing or preventing debris from covering the biomaterial container. The panel encapsulation liner 114 can also be resealable and resealable to allow for complete encapsulation of the foam sleeve 64 while also allowing for removal and replacement of the foam panel 112. The panel enclosing liner 114 can be made of a hydrophilic material with sufficient porosity to allow liquids such as liquid water or liquid nitrogen to pass through so that liquids outside the panel enclosing liner 114 can reach the liquid-absorbing liner 68 within the panel enclosing liner 114. For example, a lightweight polyester nonwoven fabric may be suitable.

[0029] It is understood that the embodiments of the invention described herein are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention, and reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims which recite features regarded as essential to the invention in themselves.

Claims

1. an outer sleeve defining an interior volume and having an opening configured to pass a biological material container through the interior volume; a foam sleeve within the interior volume, the foam sleeve having an opening and an interior cavity, the opening of the foam sleeve aligned with the opening of the outer sleeve for passing a biological material container into the interior cavity; A shock absorbing device for protecting cryogenically frozen biological material.

2. The impact absorbing device of claim 1 , wherein the foam sleeve comprises reticulated foam.

3. 10. The shock absorbing device of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve is constructed from a thin, flexible material.

4. 2. The impact absorbing device of claim 1, wherein the foam sleeve is lined inside the outer sleeve.

5. The shock absorbing device of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve and the foam sleeve are configured and sized to compress the biological material container.

6. The impact absorbing device of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve includes a sealable flap.

7. The shock absorbing device of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial container for containing the biomaterial comprises a cassette.

8. The shock absorbing device of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial is a liquid.

9. The impact absorbing device of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid absorbing liner adjacent an inner surface of the foam sleeve.

10. The impact absorbing device of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve includes an inner pouch that encases the foam sleeve.

11. 2. The impact absorbing device of claim 1, wherein the foam sleeve completely surrounds the interior cavity.

12. 10. The impact absorbing device of claim 1, wherein the foam sleeve only partially surrounds the interior cavity.

13. The impact absorbing device of claim 1 , further comprising a hydrophilic liner between the interior cavity and the foam sleeve.

14. a first layer having a first surface and a second surface; a foam layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the foam layer adjacent to and facing the second side of the first layer; a liner layer supporting the foam layer, the liner layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the liner layer adjacent to and facing the second side of the foam layer; 1. A shock absorbing device for protecting cryogenically frozen biological material, comprising:

15. 15. The impact absorbing device of claim 14, wherein the foam layer is reticulated.

16. 15. The impact absorbing device of claim 14, further comprising a liquid absorbing layer between the foam layer and the liner layer, the liquid absorbing layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the liquid absorbing layer adjacent to and facing the second side of the foam layer.

17. 15. The shock absorbing device of claim 14, wherein the first layer is annular and defines an interior volume, a first side of the first layer facing outward and a second side of the liner layer facing inward, defining an interior cavity within the interior volume, the interior cavity configured to receive an inserted biological material storage container.

18. 15. The shock absorbing device of claim 14, wherein the first layer includes an opening element configured to be opened to receive an inserted biological material storage container and closed to secure the inserted biological material storage container.

19. 20. The impact absorbing device of claim 18, wherein the opening element is a sealable, openable, and resealable flap.

20. 15. The impact absorbing device according to claim 14, wherein the impact absorbing device has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

21. an outer sleeve defining an interior volume and having an opening configured to pass a biological material container through the interior volume; a plurality of foam panels configured to be inserted into and removed from the interior volume, at least a majority of each foam panel being encapsulated with a panel encapsulation liner; 1. A shock absorbing device for protecting cryogenically frozen biological material, comprising:

22. 22. The impact absorbing device of claim 21, wherein the foam panels are connected.

23. 22. The impact absorbing device of claim 21, wherein each foam panel is separately and completely encapsulated with a separate panel encapsulation liner.

24. 22. The impact absorbing device of claim 21, wherein each foam panel is adjacent to a liquid absorbing liner within the panel surrounding liner.

25. 22. The impact absorbing device of claim 21, wherein the outer sleeve includes a top flap configured to be folded over the opposing wall, the top flap having a first tab and a second tab extending from opposite ends of the top flap and configured to remain free when the top flap is folded over the opposing wall.

Images