Modular Cubic Vat Sample Store for Cryogenic Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample storage systems face challenges in maintaining low temperatures for biological and biochemical samples, leading to issues such as ice crystal growth, warming of samples, and cumbersome handling procedures, especially when dealing with large numbers of samples.
Innovation Solution
A modular sample store with a temperature-controlled storage area using integrally formed cubic vat modules, a motorized robot for horizontal movement, and a controller for managing sample storage and retrieval, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of samples at temperatures ranging from +25°C to −90°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If samples are stored at −18° C. in commercially available freezers, then storage is simple and accessible, but ice crystal growth causes destruction artefacts after short storage terms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage temperature parameter from −18° C. to −80° C. or lower, which fundamentally alters the physical state of water in samples and prevents ice crystal growth that occurs at higher temperatures, thereby maintaining sample integrity while preserving operational simplicity through automated systems
2Reliability
If samples are stored in liquid nitrogen at −196° C., then ice crystal growth is essentially prevented, but storage becomes cumbersome and requires dedicated safety measures and educated personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects −80° C. as an optimal temperature parameter that balances sample integrity (preventing ice crystal growth) with operational feasibility (avoiding liquid nitrogen requirements), enabling automated robotic storage without dedicated safety measures or specialized training
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual handling of liquid nitrogen with an automated robotic system that operates in a controlled −80° C. environment, eliminating the need for personnel to directly handle cryogenic materials while maintaining sample integrity through consistent temperature control
3Reliability
If dry ice cooled containers are used at −78.5° C., then ice crystal growth is considerably reduced, but containers warm up relatively fast as soon as all CO2 has sublimated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive dry ice cooling with an active automated robotic system that maintains continuous −80° C. temperature control, eliminating the sublimation limitation of dry ice and enabling indefinite storage duration without temperature fluctuation or container warming
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous temperature maintenance through automated robotic operation and active cooling systems, ensuring uninterrupted −80° C. storage conditions without the periodic warming that occurs when dry ice sublimates, thereby extending effective storage duration indefinitely
4Productivity
If large numbers of samples are stored in 'large stores' or 'bio-banks' at controlled temperatures, then sample accessibility is improved, but the systems become complex and require automated robotic mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into modular robotic units that can independently operate and access samples, breaking down the complexity of large-scale automated storage into manageable, standardized modules that improve accessibility while controlling overall system complexity through repetition of proven components
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 provides efficient and controlled storage and retrieval of samples, minimizing ice crystal growth and warming, while allowing for scalable capacity and easy maintenance, ensuring sample integrity and high storage density in a compact footprint.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting device for lifting storage stacks at least partially out of the storage area and into the transfer area and for lowering storage stacks into the storage area
Implementation Method 2
a motorized robot that is located in the transfer area and that is movable in at least one essentially horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
temperature controlled modular sample store for storing such samples at controlled temperature conditions, in the range of +25° C. to −90° C.
Implementation Method 4
minimizing ice crystal growth and warming, while allowing for scalable capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A modular sample store including a storage area; a service area; a transfer area; a motorized robot with a lifting device and at least one platform; and a controller. The sample store service area includes one integrally formed cubic vat module and the sample store storage area includes at least one integrally formed cubic vat module. Each one of the aforementioned vat modules includes an essentially horizontal vat floor and four joining vat walls that are connected to the vat floor and that are leaving an open vat space. The modular sample store also includes upper side walls and a cover plate to close the sample store. Each vat floor and vat wall includes an outside liner and an inside liner, which outside and inside liners in each case are separated by a clearance. This clearance is essentially filled with a polymer foam material that provides fixation of the outside and inside liners to each other as well as thermal insulation of and reinforcement to the thus integrally formed cubic vat module sandwich construction.