Sample cooling and storage mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological sample storage methods lack programmed automation and gradient cooling, leading to rapid temperature changes that can damage samples and compromise their activity.
Innovation Solution
A sample cooling and storage mechanism incorporating a refrigeration device with nitrogen spraying and heating components, and a gradient cooling device that uses gaseous nitrogen and programmable temperature control to achieve gradual cooling, preventing sample damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If storage vials are directly placed into liquid-nitrogen storage container, then storage operation is simple, but biological samples are damaged due to rapid cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary gradient cooling through a controlled cooling zone before samples reach the liquid nitrogen storage container. This preliminary action gradually reduces sample temperature, preventing thermal shock when samples are later exposed to extreme cold, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and sample protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled cooling zone with adjustable temperature gradients acts as an intermediary between ambient temperature and liquid nitrogen storage. This intermediate zone gradually acclimatizes samples to cold temperatures, serving as a buffer that protects samples from direct exposure to extreme cold while maintaining storage efficiency.
2Device complexity
If conventional storage method is used, then storage process is simple, but biological sample activity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic temperature control with adjustable cooling rates and multiple temperature zones. The cooling parameters can be dynamically modified based on sample requirements, allowing optimization of sample activity preservation while maintaining manageable system complexity through programmable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes temperature parameters gradually through controlled cooling zones, adjusting cooling rates and temperature gradients according to sample sensitivity. This parameter optimization preserves biological sample activity by preventing thermal stress, while the programmable nature keeps operational complexity acceptable.
3Loss of time
If rapid cooling is applied, then storage time is reduced, but sample integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling process is segmented into multiple zones with different temperature gradients. The first zone provides gradual cooling, while subsequent zones accelerate cooling as samples adapt. This segmentation reduces total storage time compared to uniform slow cooling while preserving sample integrity through progressive temperature adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic cooling cycles with varying rates, alternating between faster and slower cooling phases. This periodic action allows samples to adapt to temperature changes in stages, reducing thermal stress and preserving integrity while achieving faster overall cooling than continuous slow cooling methods.
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 mechanism ensures controlled refrigeration and programmed gradient cooling, maintaining sample activity and safety by avoiding rapid temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
The nitrogen spraying component is configured to convert liquid nitrogen into gaseous nitrogen to supply the nitrogen in gaseous form
Implementation Method 2
the nitrogen supply coil tube is circled around the heating tube; and the solenoid valve is configured to control the start of the heating tube
Implementation Method 3
a nitrogen spraying component, a heating component and a storage vial rack are provided in the refrigeration zone; the nitrogen spraying component is configured to spray nitrogen in the refrigeration zone
Implementation Method 4
the gradient cooling device is configured to perform programmed gradient cooling on the storage vials; Adding the gradient cooling of the storage box in the storage process can better maintain the activity of biological samples
Implementation Method 5
the heating component heats the interior of the refrigeration zone; Each freezing/thawing unit comprises resistive heating circuits
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample cooling and storage mechanism includes a refrigeration device (1) and a gradient cooling device (2). The refrigeration device (1) is configured to perform temperature-controlled refrigeration on storage vials. The gradient cooling device (2) is configured to perform programmed gradient cooling on the storage vials. The refrigeration device includes at least one refrigeration zone (101). A nitrogen spraying component (102), a heating component (103) and a storage vial rack (3) are provided in the refrigeration zone (101). The nitrogen spraying component (102) is configured to spray nitrogen in the refrigeration zone (101). The heating component (103) heats the interior of the refrigeration zone (101). The sample cooling and storage mechanism achieves a gradient cooling function for biological samples through the gradient cooling device (2), thereby preventing damage to the biological samples caused by rapid cooling. In addition, the sample cooling and storage mechanism achieves a temperature-controlled refrigeration function for the biological samples through the refrigeration device (1), and strengthens the cold insulation performance of the refrigeration device through a movable insulation cover assembly (105), achieving automatic storage and taking of the biological samples.