Cryostorage Insert for Tissue Freezing Without Cryoartifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cryo-preserving biological tissue samples are hindered by the formation of cryoartifacts due to shock freezing in liquid nitrogen, and the use of isopentane, while effective, poses safety risks and requires specialized handling, making it challenging to quickly and safely freeze tissue samples in operating rooms.
Innovation Solution
A sample carrier system with a reversible insert section that accommodates isopentane and a coolant, such as dry ice, allowing for safe and efficient cryopreservation without the need for isopentane thawing, and featuring a design that prevents container rotation and cross-contamination, enabling one-handed operation and reduced isopentane volume for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If liquid nitrogen is used for shock freezing of tissue samples, then freezing speed is improved, but cryoartifacts are formed in the tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isopentane as an intermediary substance between the tissue sample and the cooling source. The isopentane is chilled to very low temperatures (using liquid nitrogen or dry ice) but remains in liquid state during the freezing process, providing a gentle thermal mediator that achieves rapid freezing without the Leydenfrost effect and cryoartifacts caused by direct liquid nitrogen contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of isopentane to a specific range (-120°C to -160°C) where it remains liquid but provides sufficient cooling power. This parameter optimization allows the isopentane to freeze tissue rapidly while avoiding the formation of ice crystals and cryoartifacts that occur with direct liquid nitrogen application.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If isopentane is used as cryogenic agent, then cryoartifact formation is prevented, but safety risks increase due to flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cooling action by pre-chilling the isopentane to very low temperatures (-120°C to -160°C) before contact with tissue samples. This preliminary cooling reduces the vapor pressure and flammability risk of the isopentane during the freezing process, while maintaining its effectiveness as a cryogenic agent that prevents cryoartifact formation.
3Temperature
If isopentane is stored in nitrogen tank, then cooling effect is improved, but isopentane freezes and requires thawing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic thermal management system where the isopentane container is selectively positioned - stored in the liquid nitrogen tank for cooling when not in use, but quickly transferred to a warming compartment or allowed to equilibrate to a higher temperature range (-120°C to -160°C) before use to prevent freezing. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining low temperature for cooling effect and preventing complete freezing that would require thawing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tissue samples are divided into different preservation methods, then specific analysis requirements are met, but structural continuity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the isopentane-based cryopreservation system universal by demonstrating its compatibility with multiple downstream analysis methods. The gentle freezing process preserves both the structural integrity needed for histological analysis and the molecular integrity needed for RNA/DNA analysis, eliminating the need to divide samples into different preservation methods and maintaining structural continuity across all analysis types.
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 system simplifies the cryoservicing process, reduces tissue damage, and enhances safety by minimizing isopentane handling risks, allowing for efficient cryopreservation and storage of tissue samples while maintaining the structural and molecular integrity necessary for analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A sample carrier system with a reversible insert section that accommodates isopentane and a coolant, such as dry ice
Implementation Method 2
Isopentane-mediated shock freezing is the only established method that preserves biological tissue samples for both structural and molecular biological analysis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cryostoring tissue, in particular a sample carrier insert (10). The sample carrier insert (10) has a first insert section (11) which can be introduced into a sample carrier (1). The first insert section (11) has a recess (12) for receiving a second insert section (20) and for receiving at least one coolant. The second insert section (20) can be inserted into the recess (12) of the first insert section (11), preferably in a form-fitting manner, and the second insert section (20) also has at least one receiving section (21, 22) for receiving at least one container ( 31, 32).