Method and apparatus for preservation of biological material
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cryopreserving biological materials, such as sperm and red blood cells, face challenges in minimizing damage from osmotic and oxidative stress, leading to reduced viability and functionality post-thawing, with inefficiencies in freezing and thawing protocols and the need for cryoprotectants.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a controlled heat exchange system with a pump to adjust cooling rates based on thermodynamic modeling of biological material, allowing for slow and rapid cooling phases to minimize osmotic shock and potentially eliminate the need for cryoprotectants, while using computational fluid dynamics to determine optimal cooling rates and cryoprotectant amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional freezing methods are used, then biological material can be preserved for long term storage, but damage from osmotic stress, oxidative stress, and ice crystal formation reduces viability post-thawing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter dynamically during freezing by implementing multi-stage cooling rates. The system transitions from slow cooling (0.1-10°C/min) in the first stage to rapid cooling (10-100°C/min) in the second stage, optimizing preservation at different phases of the freezing process to minimize cellular damage while enabling long-term storage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary protection by adding cryoprotectants (such as glycerol, DMSO, or sugars) to the biological material before freezing. This preliminary action reduces osmotic stress and prevents ice crystal formation within cells, thereby maintaining viability during long-term storage and after thawing
2Reliability
If cryoprotectants are used to reduce osmotic and oxidative stress, then cell viability is improved, but the complexity of the freezing protocol increases and additional toxicity risks are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the freezing protocol dynamic by implementing variable cooling rates that change at different stages. The system automatically transitions from slow cooling to rapid cooling based on temperature thresholds, reducing the need for complex manual interventions and multiple protocol steps while maintaining high cell viability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention skips the need for prolonged equilibration periods and multiple temperature adjustment steps by implementing a streamlined two-stage cooling process. The rapid cooling stage quickly passes through the dangerous temperature range where ice crystal formation occurs, reducing protocol complexity and time while preserving cell viability
3Productivity
If variable cooling rates are implemented to optimize preservation, then preservation efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the cooling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback-controlled cooling system that monitors temperature and automatically adjusts cooling rates. The system transitions from slow to rapid cooling based on reaching predetermined temperature thresholds, optimizing preservation efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control rather than manual intervention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the preservation efficiency of biological materials by reducing ice crystal formation and osmotic damage, potentially achieving better viability and functionality post-thawing without the need for cryoprotectants, thus extending the shelf life and improving clinical applicability.
Implementation Method 1
biological material in the compartment is immersed in the heat exchange fluid to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid for freezing of said biological material
Implementation Method 2
a pump that is operable to adjust a flow of heat exchange fluid over the biological material in the compartment, the pump being operable to cool the biological material at one or more different stages of cooling
Implementation Method 3
for freezing of said biological material
Implementation Method 4
the formation of intracellular ice crystals
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for preserving biological material, comprising an insert configured to be arranged within an outer insulated tank, the insert defining a compartment for receiving biological material, such that, in operation, biological material in the compartment is immersed in the heat exchange fluid to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid for freezing of said biological material, the apparatus further comprising a pump that is operable to adjust a flow of heat exchange fluid over the biological material in the compartment, the pump being operable to cool the biological material at one or more different stages of cooling.