Rectangular Freezing Container with Air Gap for Uniform Tissue Thawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing freezing bag containers fail to consistently protect biological tissue from freezing to thawing, leading to non-uniform freezing and inadequate thawing, which results in a lowered recovery rate due to rapid cooling and warming issues.
Innovation Solution
A thermally conductive, rectangular parallelepiped-shaped container with openings for hot water flow and ridges forming an air gap between the container and the freezing bag to control cooling and warming rates, preventing rapid freezing and ensuring uniform freezing and appropriate thawing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the freezing bag is directly immersed in liquid nitrogen for rapid freezing, then freezing time is reduced, but cells are damaged due to excessively rapid cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The container acts as an intermediary between the freezing bag and liquid nitrogen. It allows controlled thermal transfer through its bottom surface while preventing direct contact between the freezing bag and liquid nitrogen, thereby mediating the freezing process to achieve appropriate cooling rates that prevent cell damage
Solution Approach 2:
The container provides different thermal characteristics at different locations: the bottom surface allows thermal conduction for controlled freezing, while the side walls provide thermal insulation to prevent excessive rapid cooling. This local differentiation of thermal properties enables uniform and controlled freezing of the biological tissue
2Speed
If the freezing bag is directly immersed in hot water for rapid thawing, then thawing time is reduced, but uniform warming is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The container serves as an intermediary during thawing, allowing controlled thermal transfer from hot water to the freezing bag through its bottom surface. This mediation ensures uniform warming of the biological tissue while maintaining relatively rapid thawing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The container provides different thermal characteristics at different locations: the bottom surface allows thermal conduction for efficient heat transfer during thawing, while the side walls provide thermal insulation to prevent excessive rapid warming. This local differentiation ensures uniform warming of the biological tissue
3Reliability
If the freezing bag is protected by a covering bag and metallic container, then protection during freezing and thawing is improved, but non-uniform freezing and insufficient thawing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with differentiated thermal properties: the bottom surface has high thermal conductivity for controlled heat transfer, while the side walls have insulating properties. This local quality differentiation enables both protection and uniform thermal processing, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and thermal uniformity
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 container ensures consistent cooling, freezing, preservation, warming, and thawing operations, enhancing the recovery rate of biological tissue by controlling thermal conductivity and increasing the contact area with hot water for uniform thawing.
Implementation Method 1
an air gap is provided between a freezing bag and an inner surface of a container... by providing an air gap between a freezing bag and an inner surface of a container... thermal conductivity between the freezing bag and the container is lowered
Implementation Method 2
The container is thermally conductive... the container including: at least one opening formed in a side surface of the container... for warming the freezing bag
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Disclosed is a container (1) which can protect a freezing bag (2) filled with biological tissue and which can appropriately cool and heat the freezing bag (2). The container (1), which is substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, is for containing the freezing bag (2) filled with biological tissue and for appropriately cooling and warming the freezing bag (2). The container (1) includes: at least one opening (10) formed in a side surface of the container (1); and at least two ridges (11) which are formed at an inner surface of the container (1) and which form an air gap between the inner surface and the freezing bag (2).