Cell Cryopreservation Tool Heat Conductor Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell cryopreservation methods require complex operations to attach cells to cryopreservation containers and often involve direct contact with liquid nitrogen, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A cell cryopreservation tool featuring a cell holding member with a cold-resistant material and a tubular accommodation member, where the cell holding member has a long, narrow attaching and holding portion with heat conductors that contact the inner surface of the tubular accommodation member, allowing for easy cell placement and freezing without direct contact with the cooling medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cells are bonded to the inner surface of the cryopreservation container using minimum vitrifying liquid, then cell survival rate is improved and infection risk is reduced, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized cryopreservation container with a textured inner surface that acts as an intermediary structure. The surface features protrusions and recesses that physically anchor cells during the bonding process, making the operation easier while maintaining the minimum liquid requirement for high survival rates
Solution Approach 2:
The inner surface of the container is designed with non-uniform local properties - specific areas have protrusions and recesses that provide enhanced bonding capability. This localized structural variation allows cells to attach more easily at specific zones while the overall container maintains the minimum liquid volume needed for cryopreservation effectiveness
2Speed
If cells are directly exposed to liquid nitrogen for freezing, then freezing speed is improved, but cell damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container wall acts as a thermal intermediary between liquid nitrogen and cells. The container is rapidly cooled by liquid nitrogen contact, and this cooling is transferred through the container wall to the cells, achieving rapid freezing without direct cell exposure to liquid nitrogen, thus preventing cell damage from direct contact
Solution Approach 2:
The freezing process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, the container is rapidly cooled by direct liquid nitrogen contact; second, the cells are indirectly cooled through the container wall. This segmentation allows the container to achieve the necessary temperature while protecting cells from direct harmful exposure
3Manufacturing precision
If complex operations are used to attach cells to cryopreservation containers, then cell placement precision is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container's inner surface structure automatically facilitates cell attachment through its protrusion and recess features. Cells naturally settle into the recesses and are anchored by the protrusions during the bonding process, eliminating the need for complex manual attachment operations while maintaining precise cell placement
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
Facilitates easy operation and rapid freezing of cells by using heat conductors to efficiently transfer cooling from the tubular accommodation member to the cell holding member, preventing direct exposure to liquid nitrogen and ensuring high cell survival rates.
Implementation Method 1
the heat conductor is capable of contacting an inner surface of the tubular accommodation member
Data Source
AI summary
A cell cryopreservation tool has a cell holding member having a body part and a cell holding part and a tubular accommodation member, closed at one end thereof, which is capable of accommodating the cell holding member. The cell holding part of the cell holding member has a long and narrow cell attaching and holding portion. The cell attaching and holding portion has a heat conductor extended in a longitudinal direction thereof. When the cell holding member is accommodated in the tubular accommodation member, the heat conductor is capable of contacting an inner surface of the tubular accommodation member.