Biological Sample Cooling Control via Reference Power Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cryopreservation methods lack effective validation of cooling conditions for biological samples, which can lead to damage during freezing and thawing, particularly in high-value samples like patient-specific cells, due to uncertainties in sample volume, composition, and cryoprotectant concentration, affecting cell viability and clinical efficacy.

Innovation Solution

Monitoring of the cooling operation based on electric power data allows for validation of cooling conditions against reference data, generating alerts or stopping the process if deviations occur, ensuring that the sample is cooled according to established protocols to minimize damage and maintain sample integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cryopreservation is performed without validation of cooling conditions, then the process is simple and quick, but sample integrity and cell viability are compromised due to uncertainties in cooling parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample integrityVSAvoidcooling monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring electric power consumption during cooling operations and comparing it against expected power profiles for valid samples. This feedback loop enables real-time validation of cooling conditions, ensuring sample integrity while maintaining a relatively simple implementation approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-validation by using its own power consumption data to verify whether cooling conditions are appropriate. The cooling apparatus monitors its own operational parameters and automatically determines whether the cooling process is proceeding correctly, eliminating the need for external validation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If electric power monitoring is implemented to validate cooling conditions, then sample integrity is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling condition validationVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously wasted or unmonitored electric power consumption into a useful validation signal. By monitoring power consumption patterns, the system transforms what was merely an operational cost into a valuable indicator of cooling process validity, ensuring sample integrity without requiring additional energy-intensive measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If cooling process is stopped or alerted upon deviation from reference conditions, then sample damage is minimized, but processing time increases due to validation checks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell viabilityVSAvoidcooling validation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary validation by comparing power consumption patterns against pre-established reference profiles during the cooling process. This allows for early detection of invalid cooling conditions, enabling timely intervention to prevent sample damage while minimizing the time required for validation through efficient real-time comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures that biological samples are cooled under validated conditions, reducing damage and ensuring the quality and viability of cells for clinical use by accurately monitoring and controlling the cooling process.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling apparatus to cool the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11774945B2Method and system relating to cooling conditions for a biological sample

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 BIOSAFE SA

AI summary

Disclosed is a computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining first data indicative of electric power supplied to a cooling apparatus during a cooling operation on a biological sample, the cooling operation having a given cooling condition; obtaining second data associated with a reference cooling condition; determining, based on the first data and the second data, whether the given cooling condition has a predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition; and in response to a determination, by the determining, that the given cooling condition has the predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition, outputting a control signal. The given cooling condition for the “live” data cooling operation may thus be validated against a reference cooling condition.