Capillary Tube Aliquoting Device for Cryopreservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological samples are prone to degradation and destruction during freeze-thaw cycles in traditional cryopreservation methods, requiring extensive manpower, time, and storage space, leading to high costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An aliquoting-freezing storage device utilizing capillary tubes with non-sticky coatings and capillary supporters, allowing for the capillary action to store and retrieve biological samples without repeated freezing and thawing, reducing manual labor and storage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cryopreservation method is used, then long shelf life and good preservation are achieved, but sample degradation during freeze-thaw cycles occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides a large storage tube containing biological samples into multiple smaller capillary tubes. Each capillary tube can be independently removed and thawed when needed, while the remaining samples in other capillaries stay frozen. This segmentation eliminates the need to thaw the entire storage tube, preventing repeated freeze-thaw cycles for the same sample and thus reducing sample degradation.
2Reliability
If samples are dispensed into multiple tubes, then number of freeze-thaw cycles per sample is reduced, but manpower and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary tubes are designed to be self-contained units that can be directly removed from the storage tube and used without requiring manual dispensing operations. The samples are already portioned into individual capillaries, eliminating the need for operators to perform time-consuming dispensing operations into multiple tubes. This self-service design significantly reduces both manpower and time requirements while maintaining sample preservation quality.
3Reliability
If samples are dispensed into multiple tubes, then freeze-thaw cycles are reduced, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a nested structure where multiple thin capillary tubes are stored inside a single larger storage tube. The capillary tubes fit concentrically within the storage tube, utilizing vertical space efficiently. This nesting approach allows multiple sample portions to be stored in a compact configuration, significantly reducing the storage space required compared to storing each sample in separate external tubes or containers.
4Reliability
If traditional storage method is used, then sample preservation is maintained, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the storage system into individual capillary tubes within a single storage tube, the invention simplifies operations. Users can directly grasp and remove the specific capillary tube containing the needed sample without complex manipulation of lids, seals, or multiple external containers. This segmentation makes sample retrieval intuitive and simple while maintaining preservation quality through reduced freeze-thaw cycles.
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
The device enables efficient and cost-effective storage and retrieval of biological samples, minimizing sample degradation and labor costs by leveraging capillary action to handle samples within capillary tubes, thus preserving sample integrity and reducing the need for extensive storage space.
Implementation Method 1
The aliquoting-freezing storage device utilizes capillary tubes with non-sticky coatings and capillary supporters, allowing for the capillary action to store and retrieve biological samples
Data Source
AI summary
An aliquoting and freezing storage device comprises a test tube and at least one capillary tube. The capillary tube is inserted into a test tube, and the capillary tube is provided with an inner long hole which penetrates throughly. The device utilizes the capillarity to quickly and easily store biological samples in the capillary tubes. When needed, the operator only needs to remove one or several of the tubes, without affecting the remaining biological samples, so as to avoid repeated freezing and thawing of biological samples.