Shaping liquid material in a cryostorage bag to obtain desired solid shape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cryostorage bags are prone to damage from impact, shock, and acceleration during freezing, storage, transport, and thawing, and their flexible design leads to uneven surface variations and potential cellular damage due to temperature fluctuations and handling issues.

Innovation Solution

A protective interface cushion device and shell system that encases cryostorage bags to absorb impact, control volumetric dimensions, and facilitate safe handling, while allowing for specific geometric configurations to optimize freezing and thawing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cryostorage bags are made flexible to accommodate volume changes during freezing, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to impact and shock damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume accommodationVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the protective function into separate components: the flexible cryostorage bag for volume accommodation and the rigid protective shell for impact resistance. The bag is segmented from the shell, allowing each to perform its specialized function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shell acts as an intermediary between the cryostorage bag and external impact forces. It absorbs and distributes mechanical shocks before they reach the bag, while the bag maintains its flexibility for volume changes during freezing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cryostorage bags are made flexible to accommodate volume changes during freezing, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uneven surface variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume accommodationVSAvoidsurface uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shell provides a rigid external form with uniform surface characteristics, while the flexible bag inside accommodates volume changes. This creates local quality differentiation: the shell maintains precision and uniformity where needed, while the bag provides flexibility where volume accommodation is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the functions of surface uniformity (handled by the rigid shell) and volume accommodation (handled by the flexible bag). This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If protective shells are added to cryostorage bags, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cryostorage bag itself serves as a thin-film flexible container that provides basic protection while allowing volume changes. The rigid protective shell is designed to be relatively simple in structure, focusing on impact absorption rather than complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the flexible bag and rigid shell into an integrated protective assembly where the bag is placed inside the shell. This combination provides comprehensive protection while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively protects cryostorage bags from damage, maintains uniform freezing and thawing, and enhances handling safety by maintaining the integrity of the cellular contents through controlled expansion and secure positioning within freezing and thawing equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of cushion elements having an outer perimeter and comprising a cut-out shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a pair of thermally conductive plates having an outer perimeter that is approximately the same as the outer perimeter of the pair of cushion elements, and comprising a planar inner surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

freezing the liquid material to provide a solid shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Implementation Method 4

control the volumetric dimensions and surface geometry of a cryostorage bag upon solidification of the contents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3952642B1Shaping liquid material in a cryostorage bag to obtain desired solid shape

Publication Date: 2024.05.22 BIOLIFE SOLUTIONS INC

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Figure 4A

AI summary

Systems, devices and methods for shaping a liquid material within a cryostorage bag while undergoing a freezing procedure.