Cryocontainer Cap Sealing via Nested Segmented Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for long-term cryopreservation of biological samples, such as embryos or oocytes, face challenges in effectively sealing and supporting the samples for uniform cooling and storage, leading to potential contamination and suboptimal preservation conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sealable cryopreservation device with a cap and elongate body design, featuring a closure portion that makes surface-to-surface contact with the cap, a scooped specimen portion for secure sample placement, and an ergonomic handle with information storage, ensuring secure sealing and efficient handling within a cryocontainer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sealing mechanism is used in cryopreservation devices, then the device structure is simple, but the sealing reliability is insufficient leading to potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a cap portion with sealing elements, a body portion with a lumen, and a specimen portion. The sealing mechanism is segmented into a sealing surface on the cap and a corresponding sealing surface on the closure portion, allowing for reliable sealing without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure portion is inserted within the lumen of the cap, creating a nested configuration. The specimen portion is then inserted within the closure portion, forming a nested sequence (specimen within closure within cap). This nesting approach achieves reliable sealing and sample containment while maintaining a compact, manageable device structure.
2Reliability
If the specimen portion is designed for secure sample placement, then the sample support function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The specimen portion features a localized scooped configuration that creates a depression or cavity specifically designed to hold the biological sample securely. This local modification to the specimen portion geometry provides enhanced sample support and positioning without requiring complex structural changes throughout the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealable container for preservation of a biological sample is provided. The container includes a cap comprising a proximal open and a lumen and an elongate body that extends from a handle portion to a specimen portion. A closure portion is disposed between the handle portion and the specimen portion, wherein the closure portion is configured to make surface to surface contact with the cap when the specimen portion is fully inserted within the lumen. The closure portion comprises an outer diameter that gradually decreases in a direction from the handle portion to the specimen portion. The specimen portion comprises a scooped portion where a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface is less than distances between the upper surface and the lower surface along remaining portions of the specimen portion, wherein the scooped portion is spaced proximally from a distal tip of the specimen portion.