Cryoprobe Handling with Protective Gas Against Ice Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handling cryosamples in cryotanks leads to moisture contamination, resulting in ice formation and potential germination, which complicates identification, automation, and electrical contact issues.

Innovation Solution

A device and method using a protective gas, such as gaseous nitrogen, to prevent contact with moist ambient air, combined with climate control equipment to cool and dry the gas surrounding the samples, and a protective container with a gas-tight lock to maintain a sterile atmosphere.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cryotank is opened for inserting and extracting sample containers, then the sample containers can be accessed, but moisture falls into the cryotank from the surrounding air, leading to ice formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to sample containersVSAvoidice formation in cryotank

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective bell is introduced as an intermediary structure between the cryotank and the ambient environment. The bell creates a controlled transition zone where air can be gradually replaced with nitrogen gas, preventing direct contact between moist ambient air and the cryotank interior during sample container operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective bell is filled with nitrogen gas to create an inert atmosphere that replaces moist ambient air. This inert environment prevents ice formation by eliminating the moisture source while allowing sample containers to be safely inserted and extracted from the cryotank

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Ease of operation

If sample containers are removed from the cryotank, then the samples can be accessed, but the containers come in contact with warm and moist air, leading to condensations and ice formations on the containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to cryosamplesVSAvoidice formation on sample containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective bell serves as an intermediary environment that sample containers pass through during removal from the cryotank. This bell-filled-with-nitrogen creates a thermal and moisture buffer zone that prevents direct exposure to warm ambient air, eliminating condensation and ice formation on the containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By maintaining a nitrogen atmosphere in the protective bell, the system creates an inert environment that prevents moisture condensation on the cold sample containers during the transition from cryogenic to ambient conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Ease of operation

If sample containers are exposed to ambient air during handling, then the samples can be transferred, but germination of the cryosamples occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer of samplesVSAvoidgermination of cryosamples

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective bell maintains a continuous nitrogen atmosphere throughout the sample transfer process, creating an inert barrier that prevents ambient air contact. This eliminates the risk of germination by ensuring cryosamples never expose to oxygen-containing air during handling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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

Prevents ice formation and germination, ensuring safe handling and automation of cryosamples by maintaining a controlled, dry, and sterile environment.

Implementation Method 1

One possibility for this is to surround the samples and/or sample containers with a protective gas during handling in order to prevent a direct contact with the relatively moist ambient air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtective gas atmosphere:

Implementation Method 2

Another possibility for preventing an ice formation on the samples and/or sample containers is to cool the ambient gas surrounding the samples and/or sample containers in order to reduce the temperature gradient between the ambient gas and the surface of the samples and/or sample containers and thus counteract condensations on the samples and/or sample containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

Furthermore, there is the possibility of drying the ambient gas surrounding the samples and/or sample containers in order to prevent an ice formation on the samples and/or sample containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrying: Desiccation

Implementation Method 4

For example, liquid nitrogen can be present in the protective-gas storage container that outgases on account of the surrounding warmth into the protective container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOutgassing: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS7596957B2Device and method for handling a probe

Publication Date: 2009.10.06 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and method for handling a probe, in particular, for treating, examining, inserting or extracting a cryoprobe. According to the invention, said probe is surrounded by an ambient gas, during handling, and an air-conditioning device (33) cools, dries and/or at least partially replaces the ambient gas by a protective gas, in order to prevent deterioration of the probe by the ambient gas during handling.