Pressure-Tight Viewing Window for Light-Stimulated Cryopreservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure freezing devices cannot efficiently capture the light-stimulated state of biological samples due to the lengthy sample loading process, which exceeds the short lifespan of the photostimulated state, making it difficult to implement rapid cryopreservation following optical stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure freezing device with a pressure-tight viewing window structure allows direct light irradiation of the sample within the high-pressure chamber, enabling immediate light stimulation and subsequent cryopreservation, using a sample holder transparent to light and a control unit for synchronizing the stimulation and freezing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If samples are loaded into the high-pressure chamber using conventional methods, then the sample can be cryopreserved, but the loading time exceeds the duration of the photostimulated state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light stimulation function and cryopreservation function into a single integrated high-pressure chamber system. The sample remains in the chamber throughout the entire process, allowing light stimulation to occur inside the chamber followed immediately by cryopreservation without any loading/unloading cycles. This merging of functions eliminates the time loss associated with conventional separate操作流程.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample is loaded into the high-pressure chamber in advance and positioned before light stimulation begins. The chamber is prepared with the viewing window and sealing mechanisms ready, so that when light stimulation is initiated, the sample is already in the optimal position for both stimulation and subsequent immediate freezing, eliminating any delay between stimulation and preservation.
2Illumination intensity
If the high-pressure chamber is sealed to maintain pressure, then cryopreservation can be achieved, but light cannot penetrate to stimulate the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure chamber features a localized viewing window with pressure-tight sealing that allows light penetration only at the specific location where the sample is positioned. The rest of the chamber maintains full pressure sealing. This localized modification enables light stimulation while preserving the overall pressure integrity of the chamber through specialized pressure-tight window designs.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure-tight viewing window acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the sample. This window is designed to be transparent to light while maintaining pressure sealing, serving as a mediator that allows optical energy to pass through without compromising the pressure barrier. The window material and sealing mechanism enable simultaneous light transmission and pressure containment.
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 solution allows for the rapid preservation of the light-stimulated state, enabling analysis in electron cryo-microscopes and ensuring the stability of the sample throughout the stimulation and preservation process, facilitating the analysis of photostimulated samples.
Implementation Method 1
samples can be cooled to low temperatures, such as below −100° C., within only a few ms using liquid nitrogen under a pressure of up to 2100 bar (cryopreservation)
Implementation Method 2
the formation of crystalline ice is largely prevented, since crystallization could deteriorate or even destroy the microstructure of the sample
Implementation Method 3
The pressure at the location of the sample is generated by the cooling fluid, which is brought to a pressure of 2100 bar for this purpose
Implementation Method 4
irradiating the sample with light through a pressure-tight window in the high-pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
In a device (1) for rapid pressure-freezing an aqueous sample (3), such as a biological specimen, a pressurized cooling medium can be fed into a high-pressure chamber (11) into which a sample holder (30) containing a sample (3) is inserted and which is sealed with a pressure-tight seal, to the location of the sample holder (30) held therein. The high-pressure chamber (11) comprises a viewing window structure (2) with a pressure-tight window (20), through which light can be directed from the outside onto the sample (3) located in the sample holder (30). The window (20) can comprise a transparent window element made of a high-pressure-resistant material, wherein the window element (20) is held by a pressure- and temperature-resistant window bearing provided in the high-pressure chamber.