Method and apparatus for preservation of biological material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cryopreserving red blood cells (RBCs) are inefficient and costly, leading to cellular deterioration and reduced functionality due to high glycerol content and osmotic shock during freezing and thawing, which limits their shelf life and clinical applicability.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a two-phase cooling process with slow cooling up to the onset of liquid-solid phase transition followed by rapid cooling, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for cryoprotectants, and an apparatus with a compartment for continuous heat exchange fluid flow to optimize cooling rates and minimize cellular damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentrations of cryoprotective additives are used to prevent freezing damage, then cell protection is improved, but osmotic damage and cellular dehydration occur during freezing and thawing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the concentration parameter of cryoprotective additives from high concentrations to low concentrations (e.g., 1-10% instead of 20-40% glycerol). This parameter change allows adequate cell protection while minimizing osmotic damage and cellular dehydration that occur with high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary action by optimizing the cooling rate before freezing occurs. By controlling the cooling rate to be within a specific range (e.g., 1-100°C per minute), the invention prepares the cells for freezing in a way that reduces the need for high concentrations of cryoprotective additives, thereby reducing osmotic damage.
2Reliability
If rapid freezing rates are used to prevent extracellular ice formation, then freezing damage is reduced, but intracellular ice formation occurs causing mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the cooling rate parameter to an optimized range (1-100°C per minute) that is neither too slow nor too rapid. This intermediate cooling rate prevents both extracellular and intracellular ice formation by allowing controlled water migration out of cells while avoiding supercooling that leads to intracellular ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses low concentrations of cryoprotective additives as an intermediary substance that modifies the freezing process. These additives act as a mediator between the cooling rate and ice formation, allowing the use of moderate cooling rates without resulting in harmful intracellular ice formation.
3Reliability
If slow cooling rates are used to allow water migration out of cells, then intracellular dehydration is minimized, but extracellular ice formation causes solute concentration and osmotic imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the cooling rate parameter to an optimized range that is faster than conventional slow cooling but not as rapid as ultra-rapid freezing. This intermediate cooling rate (1-100°C per minute) allows sufficient time for water migration while limiting the duration of osmotic stress, thereby preventing both severe dehydration and extreme solute concentration.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional cryopreservation methods are used, then long-term storage is achieved, but the process is expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the cooling rate parameter to an optimized range that achieves effective cryopreservation in a shorter time frame. By using controlled cooling rates of 1-100°C per minute instead of conventional slower rates, the invention reduces processing time while maintaining long-term storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts or removes the need for complex, time-consuming conventional cryopreservation protocols. By using simplified low concentration additives and optimized cooling rates, the invention eliminates unnecessary steps and reduces overall processing time while achieving the same preservation效果.
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 minimizes cellular dehydration and osmotic damage, extending the shelf life of cryopreserved RBCs and maintaining their viability, potentially eliminating the need for cryoprotectants, thus improving their functional integrity and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
biological material in the compartment is immersed in the heat exchange fluid to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid for freezing of the biological material
Implementation Method 2
inflow of a heat exchange fluid into the compartment from the outer insulated tank is at or adjacent one face of the insert, and outflow of the heat exchange fluid out of the compartment to the outer insulated tank is at or adjacent said face of the insert
Implementation Method 3
biological material in the compartment is immersed in the heat exchange fluid to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid
Implementation Method 4
for freezing of the biological material
Implementation Method 5
up to the onset of liquid-solid phase transition followed by rapid cooling
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (10) for preserving biological material. The apparatus (10) has an insert (4) configured to be arranged within an outer insulated tank (2), the insert (4) defining a compartment (6) for receiving biological material. Inflow of a heat exchange fluid into the compartment (6) from the outer insulated tank (2) is at or adjacent one face of the insert (4), while outflow of the heat exchange fluid out of the compartment 6 to the outer insulated tank (2) is at or adjacent said face of the insert (4). The compartment (6) has a wall having a series of apertures to accommodate a continuous heat exchange fluid flow through the apparatus such that, in operation, biological material in the compartment (6) is immersed in the heat exchange fluid to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid for freezing of said biological material.