Cryopreservation Containers with Insulation for Controlled Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for freezing sperm and biological samples are complex, often result in low quality post-thaw samples due to uncontrolled cooling rates, and require cumbersome sorting and packaging processes within liquid nitrogen, posing risks to personnel and sample quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using containers with specific thermal conductivity and insulation to control cooling rates during freezing, eliminating the need for vitrification and simplifying the process by immersing the containers directly into liquid cryogenic fluids, ensuring consistent and controlled cooling rates to maintain post-thaw quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slow controlled rate freezing with complex sequential environments is used, then sperm quality is maintained, but process complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cooling process into distinct stages using a multi-layer container system. The inner container holds the sperm sample, the middle layer provides insulation material, and the outer container provides structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall process while maintaining controlled cooling rates that preserve sperm quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system is pre-assembled with specific insulation materials and thicknesses designed to achieve the optimal cooling rate of -10 to -60°C per minute. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex sequential environment changes during freezing, as the container itself is engineered to provide the required thermal characteristics from the start.
2Productivity
If direct immersion into liquid nitrogen is used, then cooling rate is fast, but sperm quality deteriorates due to uncontrolled freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary insulation layer between the sperm sample and the liquid nitrogen. This middle layer, composed of materials with specific thermal conductivity properties, mediates the heat transfer process to achieve a controlled cooling rate. The insulation layer acts as a buffer that allows fast cooling overall while preventing direct thermal shock to the sperm cells, thus maintaining sperm quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the freezing system by selecting insulation materials with specific thermal conductivity values and optimizing their thickness. This parameter optimization ensures that the cooling rate falls within the optimal range of -10 to -60°C per minute, achieving both fast cooling and sperm quality preservation simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If post-freezing sorting and packaging is performed, then sample organization is achieved, but personnel safety risks and sample quality degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs sorting and packaging operations before the freezing process. Samples are organized into labeled containers with specific insulation configurations while still in liquid or controlled temperature state, making them easier to handle and identify. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for post-freezing manipulation, thereby removing personnel from hazardous liquid nitrogen environments and preventing quality degradation from repeated thawing and refreezing.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system is designed to be self-identifying and self-sufficient. Each container includes built-in labeling and identification features that allow samples to be organized and tracked without requiring post-freezing intervention. The containers are designed to maintain their organization and identification markers throughout the freezing and storage process, eliminating the need for additional handling steps.
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 simplifies the freezing process, reduces risks, and maintains high-quality sperm samples by controlling cooling rates between -10 and -60°C per minute, eliminating the need for post-freezing sorting and packaging, thereby improving sample quality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
placing the one or more first containers in at least one insulating container having thermally insulating walls of a desired thickness and thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
immersing the at least one thermally insulating container with the first containers containing liquid suspension of sperm from range of about 5° C. to room temperature directly into the liquid cryogenic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A container system and method for cryopreservation of sperm includes first containers having walls of a desired thickness and thermal conductivity. At least one layer of thermally insulating walls of a desired thickness and thermal conductivity is disposed around the at least one row of first containers. The first containers and thermally insulating walls are capable of being immersed from a range of about 5° C. to room temperature directly into a liquid cryogenic fluid below a surface thereof and freezing the sperm, without vitrification, at a cooling rate sufficient to maintain post-thaw quality of the sperm. The cooling rate is controlled solely by the thermal conductivity of the walls of the first containers, the layer(s) of thermally insulating walls and any substance between the walls of the first containers and the at least one thermally insulating container.