Clamping Device for Gas Removal in Cryogenic Freezing Bags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic freezing bags pose challenges in removing gas, particularly after the addition of cryoprotectants like Dimethyl Sulfoxide, which can be toxic and lead to cell damage, and the brittleness of frozen bags increases the risk of breakage due to air pockets, impacting cell viability and product integrity.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device comprising pivotally coupled clamping elements with recesses and protrusions, designed to be coupled with a hemostat, effectively seals and removes gas from cryogenic freezing bags, reducing manipulation time and physical stress, and enhancing cell viability by minimizing air pockets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas removal is performed using conventional methods, then gas can be removed from the cryogenic freezing bag, but the process takes excessive time and increases manipulation stress on the frozen bag
Solution Approach 1:
The gas removal process is segmented into distinct phases using a multi-component clamping device. The device includes a first clamping element with a first clamping arm and a second clamping element with a second clamping arm, allowing simultaneous clamping of multiple locations on the bag. This segmentation enables parallel gas removal operations, significantly reducing the total time required compared to sequential conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device is pre-configured with complementary protrusions and recesses that align with specific ports on the cryogenic freezing bag. This preliminary configuration allows the device to be quickly attached to the bag without requiring complex alignment or adjustment during the gas removal process, reducing manipulation time and stress on the frozen bag.
2Ease of operation
If extensive manipulation is performed to remove gas, then gas can be removed from the bag, but the risk of bag breakage increases due to brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is designed with pre-formed protrusions and recesses that match the port locations on the cryogenic freezing bag. This preliminary design allows for straightforward attachment without requiring complex manipulation or forcing actions that could stress the brittle frozen bag. The complementary shapes ensure proper alignment and secure attachment with minimal manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the cryogenic freezing bag. Instead of direct manual manipulation of the bag ports, the operator manipulates the robust clamping device, which then interacts with the bag ports through its specially designed arms and engagement features. This intermediary structure protects the brittle bag from direct stress while enabling effective gas removal.
3Reliability
If cryoprotectant is added to preserve cells, then cell protection during freezing is improved, but toxicity increases and requires faster processing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device enables rapid gas removal that quickly passes through the critical period when cryoprotectant toxicity is most harmful. By removing gas efficiently and rapidly, the device minimizes the time that cells are exposed to toxic cryoprotectant concentrations, allowing the use of effective cryoprotectant levels while reducing the duration of toxic exposure to safe levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid gas removal capability of the clamping device creates a controlled environment that minimizes the presence of harmful gases and allows for faster establishment of the cryoprotective state. By quickly removing air and other gases from the bag, the device facilitates faster transition to the protective frozen state, reducing the time cells spend in the toxic cryoprotectant solution before freezing is complete.
Data Source
AI summary
This document relates to methods and materials for improving the removal of gas from cryogenic freezing bags. For example, this document describes methods and devices for restricting air paths within the cryogenic freezing bag.