Immersion container

Abstract

To provide a carrying truck for a frozen sample capable of carrying a large quantity of frozen samples while keeping them cold at a gas phase atmospheric temperature.SOLUTION: The transport carriage 1 for a frozen sample includes a main body 2 having one or more cold storage chambers 4 for storing and cold-insulating a frozen sample, and a moving mechanism 3 for moving the main body 2, and the cold storage chambers 4 include a space 5 insulated from the surrounding environment, an opening 4A which is an entrance and exit of the space 5, a lid member 6 detachably provided in the opening 4A, and a cold storage member 7 which is disposed in the space 5 and supplies cold heat to the space 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport vehicle for frozen samples, an immersion container, and a method for transporting frozen samples. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquid nitrogen freezing treatment device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "pre-freezing device") is known that can pre-freeze many biological samples (hereinafter also simply referred to as "biological samples") to a required temperature in a short period of time before the biological samples are cryopreserved (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] In conventional prefreezing devices, prefreezing was performed in units of 10 cc vials or vial boxes (containing 25 10 cc vials). After prefreezing, the frozen biological samples (hereinafter simply referred to as "frozen samples") were removed from the prefreezing device in vial or vial box units, and transported to a cryopreservation container (see, for example, Patent Document 2) while being kept cold in a cooler container made of polystyrene foam or the like containing liquid nitrogen or dry ice.

[0004] In recent years, the need for mass production of cell therapy products has led to a demand for a prefreezing treatment device capable of prefreezing samples in racks of 1,000 or more 10 cc vials per batch. After prefreezing, the frozen samples are removed from the prefreezing device, stored in an insulated container by the rack, and transported to a cryopreservation container while being kept cold.

[0005] Here, as a transport means capable of storing frozen samples in rack units and transporting them while keeping them cool, for example, a transport cart for frozen samples shown in Fig. 10 is known. The transport cart for frozen samples 101 shown in Fig. 10(a) comprises a main body 104 having casters 102 and a handle 103, an insulated tank 105 arranged on the main body 104 and storing liquefied nitrogen, and an insulated lid 106.

[0006] When a rack L containing frozen samples is transported while being kept cold using the frozen sample transport cart 101, as shown in Fig. 10(b), the rack L is turned sideways and immersed in liquefied nitrogen stored in the heat insulating tank 105. This allows the frozen samples to be transported while being kept cold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-183846 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-143873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the pre-freezing device, biological samples are pre-frozen at approximately -80°C. However, in the conventional transport cart 101 for frozen samples shown in FIG. 10, the frozen samples are immersed in the rack L together with the rack L in liquefied nitrogen, which poses a problem of large temperature changes in the frozen samples. In addition, there is a problem that the frozen samples in the rack L may come into contact with the liquefied nitrogen when the rack L is moved in and out of the thermal insulation tank 105. Therefore, there has been a demand for a means to transport a large number of frozen samples while keeping them refrigerated at a gas-phase ambient temperature (-80 to -180°C) in place of the conventional transport cart 101 for frozen samples.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a transport cart for frozen samples that can transport large quantities of frozen samples while keeping them cold at gas phase ambient temperature (-80 to -180°C). [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configuration. [1] A cart that transports frozen samples while keeping them cool in a gas phase, A main body having one or more cooling chambers for storing and keeping the frozen sample cool; a moving mechanism for moving the main body, The cold storage chamber is a transport cart for frozen samples, and has a space insulated from the surrounding environment, an opening that serves as an entrance and exit to the space, a lid member that is detachably attached to the opening, and a cold storage member that is placed in the space and supplies cold heat to the space. [2] The transport cart for frozen samples described in [1], wherein the cold storage member has an absorbent material that absorbs liquefied nitrogen and a holding member that maintains the shape of the absorbent material. [3] The transport cart for frozen samples described in [2], wherein the cold storage member has a cylindrical space capable of storing the frozen samples, and is arranged in the cold storage chamber so that the cylindrical space and the opening are connected to each other. [4] The transport cart for frozen samples according to [1], wherein the cold storage member is a cold storage device in which a cold pack is sealed in a container. [5] A transport cart for frozen samples described in any of [1] to [4], which has one or more spacer members positioned in the space and inhibiting contact between the inner surface of the cold storage chamber and the cold storage member. [6] An immersion container comprising an absorbent material that absorbs liquefied nitrogen, a holding member that maintains the shape of the absorbent material, and a cold storage member having the absorbent material, which is immersed in liquefied nitrogen to cause the absorbent material to absorb the liquefied nitrogen, a container body for storing the liquefied nitrogen; An immersion container, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the container body and an outer peripheral surface of the cold storage member have the same shape. [7] The cold storage member has a cylindrical space, The immersion container described in [6], wherein the container body has a columnar portion that can be inserted into the cylindrical space. [8] The immersion container described in [7], wherein the columnar portion is provided with a scale for measuring the amount of liquefied nitrogen stored. [9] A method for transporting a frozen sample from a pre-freezing device that cools the frozen sample to a temperature lower than the preservation temperature to a cryopreservation device that freezes and preserves the frozen sample using the frozen sample transport cart described in [1], The method for transporting frozen samples includes storing the frozen samples removed from the pre-freezing device in the cold storage chamber, and transporting the frozen samples to the cryopreservation device while keeping them cold in a gas phase. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The frozen sample transport vehicle of the present invention can transport a large number of frozen samples while keeping them cold at the gas phase ambient temperature (-80 to -180°C). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of a transport cart for frozen samples according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a cold storage member applicable to the frozen sample transport cart of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a top view of a cold storage member applicable to the frozen sample transport cart of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an immersion container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a usage mode of an immersion container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing a target to be transported in a method for transporting a frozen sample according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for transporting a frozen sample according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of an immersion container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a conventional transport cart for frozen samples, in which (a) shows the state in which the lid is closed, and (b) shows the state in which a rack is immersed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following describes in detail a transport cart for frozen samples, which is one embodiment of the present invention, together with an immersion container and a method for transporting frozen samples, with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used in the following description may show characteristic parts enlarged for convenience in order to make the characteristics easier to understand, and the dimensional proportions of each component may not necessarily be the same as those in reality.

[0014] (Transport cart for frozen samples) First, the configuration of a transport cart for frozen samples according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a top view of a transport cart for frozen samples according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment is roughly configured to include a main body 2 having one or more refrigerated chambers 4, and a moving mechanism 3 that moves the main body 2. The frozen sample transport vehicle 1 is a vehicle that transports frozen samples while keeping them cool in the gas phase.

[0015] The main body 2 is a rectangular prism-shaped member (housing). The main body 2 has one or more cold storage chambers 4 that store racks L containing frozen samples and keep them cool. In this embodiment, the main body 2 will be described as having three cold storage chambers 4 arranged in a row in the transport direction of the frozen sample transport cart 1, as an example.

[0016] The cold storage chamber 4 is provided inside (inside) the main body 2. The cold storage chamber 4 has a space (insulated space) 5 insulated from the environment around the frozen sample transport cart 1, an opening 4A which is an entrance and exit to the space 5, a cover member 6 detachably provided on the opening 4A, a cold storage member 7 disposed in the space 5 to supply cold energy to the space 5, and one or more spacer members 8.

[0017] Space 5 is a cold storage space provided inside cold storage chamber 4. In other words, space 5 is a cylindrical (columnar) insulated space with a bottom that extends vertically up and down and is provided inside (inside) main body 2. In frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment, space 5 inside cold storage chamber 4 accommodates cold storage member 7 and rack L in which frozen samples are stored.

[0018] Although the shape of the space 5 is described as a quadrangular prism by way of example, there are no particular limitations on the shape as long as it can accommodate the cold storage member 7 and the rack L. Examples of the shape of the space 5 include a polygonal prism such as a hexagonal prism, and a cylindrical shape.

[0019] The insulating structure of the space 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can insulate to an extent that it can reduce the influence of heat from the environment surrounding the frozen sample transport cart 1. Examples of the insulating structure of the space 5 include a columnar space formed by a member in which a known insulating material such as polystyrene foam is attached to a metal frame, and the space inside a vacuum insulating container.

[0020] The opening 4A is located on the top surface of the cold storage chamber 4 and forms an entrance / exit for the bottomed cylindrical space 5. That is, in the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment, the cold storage member 7 and the rack L are taken in and out of the space 5 inside the cold storage chamber 4 through the opening 4A.

[0021] Lid member 6 is detachably attached to opening 4A. As shown in Fig. 1, by removing lid member 6 from cold storage chamber 4, the cold storage member 7 and rack L can be accommodated in space 5 through opening 4A. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, by attaching lid member 6 to opening 4A with the cold storage member 7 and rack L accommodated in cold storage chamber 4, opening 4A of cold storage chamber 4 can be closed, thereby ensuring that the frozen samples accommodated in rack L are kept cold. The material of the lid member 6 is not particularly limited as long as it is heat-insulating enough to reduce the influence of heat from the surrounding environment. Examples of the material of the lid member 6 include known heat-insulating materials such as polystyrene foam.

[0022] 1 and 2, the cold storage member 7 is a member that is placed in the space 5 inside the cold storage chamber 4 and supplies cold heat to the space 5. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the cold storage member 7 that can be applied to the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment. Also, FIG. 4 is a top view of the cold storage member 7 that can be applied to the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cold storage member 7 has an absorbent material 9 that absorbs liquefied nitrogen, a holding member 10 that maintains the shape of the absorbent material, a handle 11 located at the top of the holding member 10, and a spacer member 12 located at the bottom of the holding member 10.

[0024] The absorbent material 9 is made of a material that absorbs liquefied nitrogen and is the main body of the cold storage member 7. There are no particular limitations on the material of the absorbent material 9 as long as it can absorb liquefied nitrogen. An example of the absorbent material 9 is glass fiber paper.

[0025] The holding member 10 is a member made of a wire mesh that is positioned on the outer periphery of the absorbent material 9 and that maintains the shape of the absorbent material 9 by restricting deformation of the absorbent material 9. In other words, the absorbent material 9 is housed inside the holding member 10. Since the holding member 10 is made of wire mesh, when the cold storage member 7 is immersed in the immersion container 21 described later, the absorbent material 9 exposed from the wire mesh comes into contact with the liquefied nitrogen, thereby ensuring that the absorbent material 9 absorbs the liquefied nitrogen.

[0026] The material of the holding member 10 (i.e., the material of the wire mesh) is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that has excellent low temperature resistance. Examples of materials for the holding member 10 include metals that have excellent low temperature resistance (for example, stainless steel).

[0027] A handle 11 is located on the top of the holding member 10. Using the handle 11, the cold storage member 7 can be placed in the space 5 inside the cold storage chamber 4 and removed from the cold storage chamber 4 without directly touching the absorbent material 9 or the holding member 10. The material of the handle 11 is not particularly limited, and the same material as the holding member 10 can be used.

[0028] A plurality of spacer members 12 are positioned at the bottom of the holding member 10. When the cold storage member 7 is placed in the space 5 inside the cold storage chamber 4, the spacer members 12 are positioned between the bottom surface 4B of the cold storage chamber 4 and the holding member 10. This makes it possible to suppress the flow of heat from the cold storage chamber 4 to the absorbent material 9, thereby reducing the amount of liquefied nitrogen consumed. The material of the spacer members 12 is not particularly limited, and the same material as that of the holding member 10 can be used.

[0029] The shape of the cold storage member 7 (i.e., the shape of the holding member 10) is a cylinder with both ends open. Inside the cold storage member 7, a cylindrical space (tubular space) 7A capable of accommodating the frozen samples together with the rack L is provided.

[0030] 1 and 2, the cold storage member 7 is arranged in the cold storage chamber 4 so that the space 7A and the opening 4A are in communication with each other. This allows the rack L to be placed in the space 7A inside the cold storage member 7 through the opening 4A when storing frozen samples together with the rack L in the cold storage chamber 4.

[0031] According to the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment, the cold storage member 7 is cylindrical and has no corners on the outer periphery, making it easy to align the cold storage member 7 when placing it in the inner space 5 of the cold storage chamber 4. Furthermore, by storing the rack L in the inner space 7A of the cold storage member 7, the frozen samples are surrounded by the cold storage member 7, so that the temperature of the samples can be maintained uniformly.

[0032] A plurality of spacer members 8 are positioned in the space 5 inside the cold storage compartment 4. The material of the spacer members 8 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polyethylene. When inserting the cold storage member 7 into the space 5 inside the cold storage compartment 4, the spacer members 8 regulate the position of the cold storage member 7 and guide it to the correct storage position, making it easier to insert the cold storage member 7. Furthermore, it is preferable that the spacer members 8 are installed at different heights on the inner circumferential surface 4C of the cold storage compartment 4. As a result, since the heights of the plurality of spacer members 8 are different, a gap is created between the space 5 inside the cold storage compartment 4 and the cold storage member 7, making it easier to insert the cold storage member 7 into the space 5 inside the cold storage compartment 4.

[0033] When the cold storage member 7 is placed in the space 5 inside the cold storage chamber 4, the spacer member 8 is positioned between the inner circumferential surface 4C of the cold storage chamber 4 and the cold storage member 7. This prevents direct contact between the inner circumferential surface 4C of the cold storage chamber 4 and the cold storage member 7, suppressing the flow of heat from the cold storage chamber 4 to the absorbent material 9, thereby reducing the amount of liquefied nitrogen consumed.

[0034] The moving mechanism 3 includes casters 13 and a handle 14 for moving the main body 2 . Casters 13 are provided on the bottom of main body 2. Handle 14 is provided on the upper side of main body 2. The configuration of moving mechanism 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can move main body 2 to any location.

[0035] (soaking container) Next, the configuration of the immersion container used in the cold storage member 7 constituting the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the immersion container according to one embodiment to which the present invention is applied. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a usage mode of the immersion container according to one embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

[0036] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, an immersion container 21, which is one embodiment of the present invention, is roughly configured to include a container body 22 for storing liquefied nitrogen and a columnar portion 23 that stands vertically upward from the center of the bottom 22A of the container body 22. The immersion container 21 is for immersing the above-mentioned cold storage member 7 in liquefied nitrogen, and allowing the absorbent material 9 to absorb the liquefied nitrogen.

[0037] The container body 22 is a cylindrical container with an open top, and stores liquefied nitrogen in the internal space. The inner peripheral surface 22B of the container body 22 has the same shape as the outer peripheral surface of the cold storage member 7. This reduces the gap between the container body 22 and the cold storage member 7 when the cold storage member 7 is inserted into the immersion container 21, thereby reducing the amount of liquefied nitrogen used.

[0038] The columnar portion 23 is located at the center of the bottom 22A of the container body 22 and extends vertically upward. The columnar portion 23 may be formed as a separate member from the container body 22, or may be formed integrally with the container body 22. In addition, the columnar portion 23 is preferably provided with a scale (not shown) for measuring the amount of liquefied nitrogen stored. In this case, the scale serves as a guide for adding liquefied nitrogen to the immersion container 21, so that the conditions for absorbing liquefied nitrogen into the cold storage member 7 can be kept constant.

[0039] The immersion container 21 has the columnar portion 23, so that the amount of liquefied nitrogen used can be reduced by the volume of the columnar portion 23. Furthermore, when the cold storage member 7 is inserted into the immersion container 21, the columnar portion 23 passes through a cylindrical space (tubular space) 7A inside the cold storage member 7. This reduces the gap between the container body 22 and the cold storage member 7, so that the amount of liquefied nitrogen used can be reduced.

[0040] The material of the immersion vessel 21 is not particularly limited, but may be a heat insulating material such as polystyrene foam.

[0041] (Method of transporting frozen samples) Next, the configuration of a method for transporting frozen samples using the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an object to be transported in the method for transporting frozen samples, which is an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the method for transporting frozen samples, which is an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

[0042] A method for transporting frozen samples, which is one embodiment of the present invention, uses the frozen sample transport cart of the above-mentioned embodiment to transport the frozen samples from a pre-freezing device that cools the frozen samples to a temperature below the storage temperature to a cryopreservation device that freezes and preserves the frozen samples.The frozen samples removed from the pre-freezing device are stored in a cold storage chamber, and the frozen samples are transported to the cryopreservation device while being kept cool in the gas phase.

[0043] 7, in the method for transporting a frozen sample according to this embodiment, a biological sample to be cryopreserved is contained in a vial 31. One or more vial boxes 32, each containing a plurality of vials 31, are transported in a state housed in a rack L.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8, in the method for transporting frozen samples of this embodiment, the frozen samples are removed from the preliminary freezing device 41 together with the rack L, stored in the cold storage chamber 4 of the above-mentioned frozen sample transport cart 1, and transported to the cryopreservation device 51 while being kept cold in the gas phase.

[0045] "Pre-freeze" Specifically, in the method for transporting a frozen sample according to this embodiment, first, the biological sample is pre-frozen. For pre-freezing, three racks L are prepared, placed in the pre-freezing device 41, and pre-freezing treatment is performed according to a predetermined temperature cooling program (for example, from +4°C to -80°C for about 45 to 90 minutes).

[0046] "Preparing the cold storage material" Next, after storing liquefied nitrogen in the above-mentioned immersion vessel 21, the cold storage member 7 is immersed in the liquefied nitrogen, and the liquefied nitrogen is absorbed into the absorbent material 9 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0047] "Cooling the cold storage compartment" Next, the cold storage member 7, which has completed absorbing the liquefied nitrogen, is inserted into the space 5 in each cold storage chamber 4 of the frozen sample transport cart 1. This allows the ambient temperature of the space 5 in the cold storage chamber 4 to be cooled to -80°C or below in a short period of time. The ambient temperature of the space 5 in the cold storage chamber 4 can be set appropriately by appropriately adjusting the material of the absorbent material 9 of the cold storage member 7, the volume of the absorbent material 9, the immersion time of the absorbent material 9, the immersion height of the absorbent material 9, and the insulating performance of the cold storage chamber 4.

[0048] "Transfer of frozen samples" Next, after the preliminary freezing process by the preliminary freezing device 41 is completed, the three racks L in the preliminary freezing device 41 are inserted together into the spaces 5 in the respective cooling chambers 4 of the frozen sample transport cart 1.

[0049] "Mobile work" Next, the transport cart 1 for frozen samples is moved from the preliminary freezing device 41 to the immediate vicinity of the cryopreservation device 51. That is, the transport cart 1 for frozen samples is used to transport the racks L containing the frozen samples while keeping them cold in a gaseous atmosphere.

[0050] "Frozen preservation" Next, the frozen samples are removed from each of the racks L in the refrigerator compartments 4 of the frozen sample transport cart 1 and quickly transferred into the cryopreservation device 51, where they are frozen and preserved. In this embodiment, since the samples can be handled in units of racks L, they can be transferred into the cryopreservation container within the minimum time (for example, within about 5 seconds). This prevents the frozen samples from rising in temperature.

[0051] As described above, the frozen sample transport cart 1 and the frozen sample transport method of this embodiment make it possible to transport a large number of frozen samples while keeping them cold at the gas phase ambient temperature (-80 to -180°C).

[0052] According to the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment, the racks L that store the frozen samples can be transported together, so that a large number of samples can be transported at once. Furthermore, according to the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment, the cold storage member 7 is used as the cold heat source for the cold storage chamber 4, so stored liquefied nitrogen is not used to cool the frozen samples. Therefore, the samples can be transported while being kept cold at the gas phase ambient temperature (-80 to -180°C). Furthermore, according to the frozen sample transport cart 1 of this embodiment, since liquefied nitrogen is not stored in the cart, the consumption of liquefied nitrogen can be reduced and the contamination of frozen samples with liquefied nitrogen can be prevented. Furthermore, the weight of the cart can be reduced.

[0053] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the frozen sample transport cart 1 described above has been described as having a configuration including a cold storage member 7 having an absorbent material 9 that absorbs liquefied nitrogen and a holding member 10 that maintains the shape of the absorbent material, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0054] For example, the frozen sample transport cart of the present invention may be configured to use a cold storage device, which is a container filled with ice packs, as the cold storage member. When a cold storage device is used as the cold storage member, the gaseous atmosphere in the cold storage chamber 4 can be cooled to -80°C by placing the cold storage devices cooled to about -180°C on the bottom and sides of the space 5 in the cold storage chamber 4. The container of the cooling device can be made of resin. The cooling agent may contain, for example, water and salt. The temperature maintained in the cold storage compartment 4 can be changed as appropriate depending on, for example, the material of the cold storage agent, the capacity of the cold storage agent, the cooling temperature of the cold storage device, and the like.

[0055] By using a cold storage device as the cold storage member, the rack L can be cooled to a temperature higher than that of the above-described cold storage member 7. For example, when the rack L is transported to a cryopreservation device that freezes and preserves the rack L at a temperature (-150°C) higher than the temperature of liquid nitrogen (-196°C), in the above-described embodiment, the rack L may become too cold during transport, and the temperature of the rack L may rise (for example, from -196°C to -150°C) during cryopreservation. Therefore, it is preferable that the temperature fluctuation of the rack L as described above is as small as possible, as it can damage the samples stored in the rack L. In such cases, by using a cold storage device as the cold storage material, the cold storage temperature can be adjusted to a range below the temperature of the pre-freezing device and above the temperature of the cryopreservation device, so that the temperature rise described above does not occur and damage to the sample due to temperature fluctuations can be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the frozen sample transport cart 1 has been described as an example in which the racks L containing the frozen samples are kept cool, but this is not limiting. For example, a bag containing the samples may be transported. Furthermore, one sample may be stored in one cooling chamber 4, or multiple samples may be stored. From the viewpoint of suppressing temperature rise of the samples when they are taken in and out, it is preferable to store the samples in rack units in one cooling chamber 4.

[0057] Furthermore, in the frozen sample transport cart 1 of the above-described embodiment, the space 5 of the cold storage chamber 4 is in the shape of a rectangular prism, and the space 7A of the cold storage member 7 is in the shape of a cylinder, but this is not limiting. For example, the shapes of the spaces 5 and 7 may be pillars whose bottoms are circular or polygonal other than rectangular.

[0058] In the frozen sample transport cart 1 of the above-described embodiment, the space 5 of the cold storage chamber 4 is an insulated space that extends vertically and is a cylindrical (columnar) space with a bottom that is open at the top. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the space 5 of the cold storage chamber 4 may be an insulated space that extends horizontally and is open at the side of the main body 2.

[0059] 9, an immersion container 61 may be used in which a protective cover 62 made of resin or metal is attached to part or all of the container body 22 and the columnar portion 23. This makes it possible to protect the heat insulating material of the container body 22 and the columnar portion 23 from collision with the cold storage material 7 when the cold storage material 7 is immersed in the immersion container 61. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Transport cart for frozen samples 2 Main unit 3 Moving mechanism 4. Cold storage room 4A opening 4B Bottom 4C Inner surface 5. Space (insulated space) 6 Lid member 7. Cool storage material 7A Space (cylindrical space) 8, 12 Spacer members 9 Absorbent material 10. Retaining member 11 Handle 13 Caster 14 Handle 21,61 Soaking vessel 22 Container body 23 Columnar part 31 vials 32 vial box 41 Pre-freezing device 51 Cryopreservation equipment 62 Protective cover L rack

Claims

1. An immersion container including an absorbent material that absorbs liquefied nitrogen, a holding member that holds the shape of the absorbent material, and a cold storage member having the absorbent material is immersed in liquefied nitrogen to cause the absorbent material to absorb the liquefied nitrogen, a container body for storing the liquefied nitrogen; An immersion container, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the container body and an outer peripheral surface of the cold storage member have the same shape.

2. The cold storage member has a cylindrical space, The immersion container according to claim 1 , wherein the container body has a columnar portion that can be inserted into the cylindrical space.

3. 3. The immersion vessel according to claim 2, wherein the columnar portion is provided with a scale for measuring the amount of the stored liquefied nitrogen.

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