Bung for insulating a container and cooling methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transporting cryopreserved biological samples face challenges such as contamination risks, inefficient cooling due to the need for upright positioning of shipping containers, and increased costs associated with Stirling cryocoolers, as well as prolonged downtime for cooling and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A bung device with insulating segments and reflective barriers is used to maintain cryogenic temperatures in a container, allowing for effective insulation and passive cooling, even when the container is not in an upright position, and integrating an ultra-violet light source for sterilization to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a gravitational thermal diode is used to provide cooling to the cavity, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the shipping container must be maintained in an upright position which reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal mass is divided into multiple segments or zones that can independently maintain thermal gradients regardless of container orientation. This segmentation allows the cooling system to function effectively whether the container is upright, sideways, or inverted, resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the thermal mass are designed with different thermal properties or configurations optimized for specific orientations. This local quality variation ensures that regardless of how the container is positioned, there will always be an effective thermal gradient from the cold source to the samples, maintaining cooling effectiveness across all positions.
2Temperature
If a Stirling cryocooler is integrated into the shipping container, then active cooling capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex Stirling cryocooler system is extracted and replaced with a simpler passive thermal mass-based cooling system. The thermal mass absorbs and stores cooling capacity without requiring mechanical refrigeration components, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to maintain cryogenic temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal mass system is self-regulating and requires no external control systems, power sources, or mechanical components. It automatically maintains thermal gradients through its physical properties alone, eliminating the need for complex control electronics and mechanical refrigeration systems while providing reliable cooling.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shipping container is warmed up to ambient temperature for cleaning, then contamination prevention is improved, but productivity decreases due to prolonged downtime
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complete warming cycles for cleaning, the system uses periodic or intermittent cleaning approaches where the thermal mass is rapidly cooled between uses. The insulation properties of the thermal mass allow for quick re-cooling periods, enabling frequent cleaning cycles without significant productivity loss while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for rapid disposal of contaminated thermal mass components and replacement with pre-cooled or easily re-cooled substitutes. This discarding and recovering approach eliminates the need for lengthy warming and cleaning cycles of the entire system, significantly reducing downtime while ensuring contamination prevention through component replacement.
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 bung device extends the duration of cryogenic storage and transport by maintaining low temperatures and preventing contamination, reducing the need for liquid nitrogen venting and Stirling cryocoolers, while also minimizing downtime for cleaning and sterilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
A bung device with insulating segments and reflective barriers is used to maintain cryogenic temperatures in a container
Implementation Method 2
A bung device with insulating segments and reflective barriers is used to maintain cryogenic temperatures in a container
Implementation Method 3
integrating an ultra-violet light source for sterilization to prevent contamination
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device in the form of a bung for insulating a container interior from the ambient environment, the bung comprising: a plurality of insulating segments; and one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation. Disclosed is: a method of preparing a shipping system for retaining a cryopreserved sample, the method comprising: loading a cryopreserved sample into a container such as a vacuum flask; and fitting the bung to the container to insulate the container interior from the ambient environment, and a method of cooling a container, such as a vacuum flask, for retaining cryopreserved samples to a desired temperature, the method comprising: cooling the container interior by pouring a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen into the container; and emptying the cryogenic fluid from the container, once the cooling has at least partially taken place.