Cryo Sample Container Tempering for Precise Freeze-Thaw Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryopreservation technologies expose biological samples to undesirable temperature influences during insertion and extraction, leading to thermal damage and imprecise temperature control, which can compromise sample vitality.

Innovation Solution

A cryoapparatus with a sample container that can be separately tempered and vertically moved within the cooling space, allowing precise control of temperature characteristics and minimizing exposure to harmful temperature gradients, using a lifting apparatus and temperature sensors to regulate the sample container's position and temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sample is inserted into and extracted from the cooling space of the automatic freezer, then the freezing and thawing process can be performed, but the sample is exposed to undesirable temperature influences that thermally damage the biological sample

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing and thawing capabilityVSAvoidthermal damage to biological sample

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent temperature control zones: the cooling space (for bulk temperature control) and the sample container (for precise sample temperature control). This segmentation allows the sample to be protected from harmful temperature fluctuations in the cooling space during insertion and extraction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sample container acts as an intermediary between the cooling space and the biological sample. It provides a controlled thermal interface that buffers the sample from harmful temperature influences in the cooling space, particularly during insertion and extraction when temperature gradients are most severe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If the cooling space has a relatively large volume to accommodate samples, then storage capacity is improved, but the precision of temperature control deteriorates due to regulation technology limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling space volumeVSAvoidtemperature control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control system is segmented into two independent control loops: one for the large-volume cooling space and another for the small-volume sample container. This allows precise temperature control in the sample container (where precision matters most) while maintaining a larger cooling space for storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the system have different temperature control requirements. The sample container, being small and directly contacting the biological sample, receives high-precision temperature control. The larger cooling space operates with less stringent control requirements, optimizing overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the sample container is thermally insulated to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but heat exchange with the cooling space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stability in sample containerVSAvoidheat exchange between container and cooling space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation of the sample container is not static but dynamically adjusted based on operational phase. During normal operation, insulation maintains temperature stability. During insertion and extraction, the insulation can be temporarily modified or bypassed to allow controlled heat exchange, optimizing both stability and heat transfer requirements at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables precise control of temperature characteristics within the sample container, reducing thermal damage and maintaining sample vitality by adjusting temperatures within the container independently of the cooling space, and allowing for controlled extraction and insertion without adverse thermal effects.

Implementation Method 1

liquid nitrogen with a boiling point of −196° C. as cooling agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the temperature in the cooling space decreases from the top downward so that the sample container has preferably been lowered at the end of a freezing process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature stratification: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7634917B2Cryo-device and associated operational method

Publication Date: 2009.12.22 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

The invention relates to a cryoapparatus for freezing and/or thawing a sample (1), especially in the cryopreservation of a biological sample (1), with a coolable cooling space (3) and with a sample container (10) arranged in the cooling space (3) for temporarily receiving the sample (1) when freezing or thawing the sample (1). It is suggested that the sample container (10) can be tempered separately from the cooling space. Furthermore, the invention includes an associated operating method.