Freezing Vessel Bottom Opening for Complete Cryoprotectant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual freezing pretreatment of cells, such as embryos, is labor-intensive and prone to errors where solution remnants can be left inside the freezing target, increasing operator burden and risk of accidental collection.
Innovation Solution
An automatic freezing processing apparatus with a vessel having a bottom opening smaller than the freezing target, equipped with a working unit for liquid injection, discharge, and movement, which includes a refrigerant container for freezing, reduces operator burden by ensuring complete solution removal and preventing solution remnants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual collection of solution is performed, then the operator can control the collection process, but the operator burden increases and there is risk of accidental collection of freezing target
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel automatically discharges solution through its own opening structure without requiring operator intervention for collection control. The opening at the bottom allows solution to drain automatically while the freezing target remains retained, making the system self-regulating.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is strategically positioned and sized to extract only the solution from the vessel while leaving the freezing target inside. This selective extraction separates the solution discharge function from the target retention function.
2Reliability
If manual collection is performed with caution, then accidental collection of freezing target is avoided, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The opening structure is designed to extract solution while inherently retaining the freezing target through its size differential. This structural design eliminates the need for complex operational procedures to differentiate between solution and target.
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel structure itself performs the discrimination function between solution and target through its opening dimensions, making the system self-regulating and eliminating complex operational controls.
3Reliability
If solution is discharged manually, then complete removal can be achieved, but the process is labor-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel automatically and completely discharges solution through its bottom opening without requiring manual intervention. The gravitational flow through the opening ensures complete removal while eliminating labor-intensive operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening enables complete extraction of solution from the vessel while the freezing target remains retained. This structural design ensures thorough solution removal without requiring repeated manual operations.
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 apparatus automates the freezing pretreatment process, reducing operator burden and minimizing solution remnants within the freezing target, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the freeze-preservation process.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant container (50) that stores refrigerant for freezing the freezing target
Implementation Method 2
The vessel has, at a bottom thereof, an opening smaller in size than the freezing target. The working unit discharges the liquid from the vessel through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A freezing apparatus includes a tube that stores a freezing target, an electric pipetter that is actuated for injection and discharge of a liquid into and from a tube and for movement of the tube, and a liquid nitrogen tank that stores refrigerant for freezing the freezing target. The tube has, at a bottom thereof, an opening smaller in size than the freezing target. The electric pipetter discharges the liquid from the tube through the opening after the injection of the liquid into the tube, and moves the tube to the liquid nitrogen tank.