Cryogenic cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryopreservation techniques using liquid nitrogen face challenges such as contamination risks, safety hazards, and temperature gradients that can lead to ice crystal formation and damage biological materials, while also being inefficient in achieving low temperatures without frosting.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cooler incorporating a gas system with a mechanical cooler, cold finger, and inert gas to achieve lower temperatures, reduce vapor gradients, and minimize contact with liquid nitrogen, using a solid surface for vitrification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid nitrogen is used for cryopreservation, then ultralow temperatures of about -196°C are achieved, but contamination risks increase due to non-sterile nitrogen and potential disease transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful liquid nitrogen from the cryopreservation system and replaces it with a mechanical cooling system that uses a cold finger and inert gas atmosphere to achieve the same ultralow temperatures without contamination risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert gas atmosphere (using gases like nitrogen or helium) within the storage container to prevent contamination while maintaining cryogenic temperatures, replacing the need for liquid nitrogen immersion
2Manufacturing precision
If direct plunge vitrification is performed rapidly, then ice crystal formation is avoided, but safety hazards increase due to handling open liquid nitrogen containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cold finger as an intermediary cooling surface that is pre-cooled to ultralow temperatures. Biological materials are vitrified by contact with this cold surface rather than direct immersion in liquid nitrogen, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining rapid cooling rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical handling of open liquid nitrogen containers with a closed-system mechanical cooling device that uses a cold finger, eliminating the need for rapid manual plunging operations and associated safety risks
3Temperature
If vapor layers form over liquid nitrogen, then natural boiling occurs, but temperature gradients are created that may damage biological materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the liquid nitrogen and its associated vapor layers entirely, replacing them with a controlled inert gas atmosphere that eliminates temperature gradients and improves heat transfer consistency during the cryopreservation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state from liquid nitrogen with vapor layers to a gaseous inert atmosphere, fundamentally altering the thermal environment to eliminate harmful temperature gradients while maintaining effective cooling
4Duration of action of stationary object
If liquid nitrogen is used for long term storage, then ultralow temperatures are maintained, but sterilization is compromised as microorganisms can survive at these temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inert gas atmosphere within the storage container that prevents microbial contamination while maintaining ultralow temperatures for long-term storage, creating an environment where microorganisms cannot survive or proliferate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts liquid nitrogen from the long-term storage system and replaces it with a mechanical cooling system using inert gas, eliminating the contamination source while preserving the ability to maintain ultralow temperatures indefinitely
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 achieves vitrification temperatures as low as −220°C without frosting, reduces contamination risks, and enhances cooling efficiency by minimizing exposure to room air, thereby preserving biological materials effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a cold finger (14) coupled to a mechanical cooler (12)
Implementation Method 2
introducing a gas to at least partially envelop the freezing disk and the cold finger so as to reduce the presence of room air
Implementation Method 3
a freezing disk (34) positioned in thermal contact with the cold finger (14)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a cryogenic cooler that may include a cold finger coupled to a cooling source, an insulating vessel having an inner wall, an outer wall and an interior area formed within the inner wall, where the cold finger may be positioned at least partially within the interior area. The cryogenic cooler may also have a fitting positioned on the outer wall and configured for coupling to a gas source, and a passageway formed between the coupling and the inner wall and configured to allow the transfer of a gas from the gas source to the interior area. The cryogenic cooler may also have an opening is formed in the interior area so as to allow the transfer of the gas around the cold finger and out of the interior area.