Flexible Cryogenic Container With Heat Exchanger Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic containers for storing and transporting biotechnical materials are cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to sterilize, with high logistical and capital costs due to the need for reusable stainless steel containers and complex handling requirements, and disposable bag solutions are fragile and require complex transport systems.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic container system comprising a flexible primary container and a secondary container with a heat exchanger space, using liquid nitrogen as a heat transfer medium, allowing for disposable and cost-effective freezing and thawing processes while ensuring sterility and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable stainless steel cryogenic containers are used, then sterility requirements are met, but cleaning and sterilization become time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable primary containers made of flexible material that can be sterilized independently and then discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for repeated cleaning and sterilization of expensive reusable containers, reducing both time loss and operational costs while maintaining sterility requirements.
2Speed
If thin-walled containers are used for rapid freezing, then freezing speed is improved, but mechanical strength and safety during transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested container structure where the thin-walled primary container is placed inside a robust secondary container. The primary container enables rapid freezing due to its thin walls, while the secondary container provides mechanical protection during transport, effectively resolving the contradiction between freezing speed and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system is segmented into two functional parts: a thin-walled inner container optimized for heat transfer and rapid freezing, and an outer container optimized for mechanical strength and protection. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function without compromising the other.
3Quantity of substance
If large-volume cryogenic containers are used, then storage capacity is improved, but transport and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible primary containers that can dynamically adapt their volume to match the actual quantity of material being stored. This eliminates the need for large fixed-volume containers, reducing transport and storage costs while maintaining adequate storage capacity for varying material volumes.
4Use of energy by moving object
If silicone oil is used as heat transfer medium, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but risk of leakage and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable primary containers that are pre-filled with heat transfer medium or can be filled with alternative media. The containers are designed to be used once and then discarded, eliminating the risk of silicone oil leakage and contamination that would occur with reusable systems requiring repeated filling and handling of heat transfer media.
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 simplifies logistics and reduces costs by enabling efficient, safe, and sterile storage and transport of biotechnical materials with reduced capital investment, lower handling risks, and flexible adaptation to varying requirements, while minimizing environmental impact through disposable components.
Implementation Method 1
using liquid nitrogen as a heat transfer medium
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger space is filled with a heat exchange medium, in particular with liquid nitrogen
Implementation Method 3
The primary container (118) is designed at least partially as a disposable film bag (120)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cryogenic container for storing and/or transporting a medium, in particular a biochemical and/or medical product. The cryogenic container comprises at least one primary container, which has at least one flexible film bag. The flexible film bag is designed to receive the medium. The cryogenic container furthermore comprises at least one secondary container, which at least partially surrounds the primary container and is preferably at least partially flexible. The secondary container has at least one opening for insertion of the primary container. The secondary container furthermore has at least one preferably at least partially flexible outer sleeve. The secondary container furthermore has at least one heat exchanger space, which is arranged between the outer sleeve and the flexible film bag and receives at least one fluid heat exchange medium.