Cryo storage system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryo-storage systems require high energy consumption to maintain an uninterrupted cold chain and are prone to ice formation due to exposure to ambient air, leading to potential sample quality issues during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
A cryo-storage system design featuring a thermally insulated cryo room with a sample carrier receptacle that can be rotated and a controlled drive, a lockable second access between the interim storage and work space, and a closable third access with a sealing element to prevent ambient air entry, allowing for efficient temperature control and reduced energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the intermediate storage unit connects directly to the work area with large volume, then sample access is facilitated, but energy consumption increases and ice formation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple independent modular units, each capable of autonomous temperature control. This segmentation allows only the accessed module to be temporarily opened to the work area, rather than requiring the entire large-volume intermediate storage to be accessible, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining sample access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension with multiple stacked storage levels and implements selective access mechanisms. Instead of a single large accessible volume, samples are accessed through vertically arranged modules with independent access points, reducing the horizontal footprint and thermal exposure area while maintaining storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the intermediate storage unit has large volume for multiple sample carriers, then storage capacity increases, but ice formation increases due to ambient air contact
Solution Approach 1:
Storage capacity is achieved through multiple sealed modular units stacked vertically rather than one large open volume. Each module maintains independent cryogenic conditions with minimal ambient air contact, preventing ice formation while providing sufficient storage capacity for multiple sample carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage module is enclosed with thermally insulated sealed walls and flexible sealing mechanisms that maintain cryogenic conditions. The insulation barriers prevent ambient moisture from contacting the cold surfaces, eliminating ice formation risk while preserving storage capacity.
3Productivity
If sample carriers are moved in groups from storage area, then handling efficiency is maintained, but sample quality risk increases due to unnecessary exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables selective access to individual sample carriers or specific modules rather than requiring group handling. Each module can be independently accessed through sealed mechanisms, allowing only the necessary samples to be retrieved while maintaining cryogenic conditions for all other samples, thus preserving sample quality without compromising handling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic or automated intermediary system facilitates sample retrieval through sealed access mechanisms. The intermediary transfers samples between storage modules and work area without requiring human operators to open large access points, enabling precise single-sample retrieval while maintaining sample quality and handling efficiency.
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 system maintains a consistent cold chain with reduced energy consumption and minimizes ice formation, ensuring sample quality by maintaining precise temperature control and preventing ambient air exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally insulated cryogenic chamber with sample carriers for receiving the samples
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate storage area can be cooled to temperatures from -30°C to -140°C by means of a cooling device
Data Source
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AI summary
The cryogenic storage system comprises a thermally isolated cryogenic chamber (1) having sample carriers for receiving the sample, a closable first access (1.1) in an upper cover area of the cryogenic chamber, by which the cryogenic chamber stands in connection with a thermally insulated intermediate bearing (2) arranged above the cryogenic chamber, a unit for transporting the sample carrier between the cryogenic chamber and the intermediate bearing, and a working space laterally adjacent to the intermediate bearing, in which the transport unit is removed from the sample carrier. The cryogenic storage system comprises a thermally isolated cryogenic chamber (1) having sample carriers for receiving the sample, a closable first access (1.1) in an upper cover area of the cryogenic chamber, by which the cryogenic chamber stands in connection with a thermally insulated intermediate bearing (2) arranged above the cryogenic chamber, a unit for transporting the sample carrier between the cryogenic chamber and the intermediate bearing, and a working space laterally adjacent to the intermediate bearing, in which the transport unit is removed from the sample carrier in a horizontal direction and is arranged in an insertable element of the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing into the working space. A lubricator for transporting the samples is present between a sample transport vessel and the working space. A sample carrier receiver for receiving the sample carrier is present into the cryogenic chamber. The sample carrier receiver is movably mounted, and stands in connection with a controlled drive so that the individual sample carrier is deliverable to the first access of the cryogenic chamber. The intermediate bearing and the working space stand in connection with each other via a closable second access (2.1). A bottom of the working space is accessible by an area from below and outside of the cryogenic chamber. A closable third access with a sealing element and a locking device for releasably locking a sample vessel is present in the bottom of the work space so that the sample vessel is gas-tightly locked at the third access of the working space, and the samples are transported between the sample vessel and the working space. Individual drawers: are removable into the sample carrier of the insertable elements; and have a base surface of a cylinder sector. The drawers of the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing are deliverable by positioning the sample carrier of a transfer position. The unit for transporting the drawers is deliverable between the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing and the working space of the transfer position, where the transfer position is defined so that a transport of the drawers is carried out by the second access. The second access between the intermediate bearing and the working space has a vertical expansion, by which the area of the drawers is horizontally transported between the intermediate bearing and the working space. A vertical dimension of the second access to the respective cover areas of the intermediate bearing and the working space is provided at a distance. The sample carrier receiver is arranged at a shaft passing to a coaxial rotational axis, and is connected to the shaft, which is rotatably mounted at its end located into the cryogenic chamber in a bearing around the rotational axis. The sample carrier receiver is supported with its underside of the trestle roller, which protrudes from a direction of the bottom of the cryogenic chamber towards the underside of the sample carrier receiver. The dimension of the intermediate bearing simultaneously allows the receiver of the sample carrier. A first closure (1.2) is provided at the first access, where the first closure comprises first coupling elements at its side facing the cryogenic chamber. Each sample carrier comprises second coupling elements, where a coupling for a releasable connection of the first closure and the sample carrier delivered to the first access is formed by the first coupling elements and the second coupling elements. Each sample carrier coupled to the first closure is transported between the sample carrier and the intermediate bearing. The first closure is connected via a chain with a chain drive. The unit for transporting the drawer between the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing and the working space is a transport device, which are driven by a traction. An access position with defined position coordinates is deliverable in the working space by the drawer transported in the working space. A storage unit for storing and preparing a data is present at the respective drawer. A contact medium for contacting the storage unit of the drawer transported in the working space is present in the working space. The data between the contact medium and the storage unit is interchangeable by the contact medium. The sealing element is heatable. An engagement and a controlled working manipulation device for a manipulation of the samples by the third access are present in the working chamber.