An instant freezer apparatus able to freeze consumable fluids and food having a freezing point lower than water is disclosed. The apparatus and method of the present invention is directed to a freezer typically able to instantly freeze consumable fluids and food without altering their chemical compositions. The instant freezer apparatus generally comprises a main frame and a removable freezing module. The apparatus may further comprise a freezing fluid injection system such as a liquid carbon dioxide tank or a liquid nitrogen tank fluidly connected to the main frame. At least two freezing cells comprising the fluid to be frozen may be included, the freezing cells being independently removable from the freezing module and other freezing cells. A semi-flexible mat for receiving and supporting varying shapes of freezing cells may be included.

An object of the present invention is to provide a container for cryopreservation and transportation which is excellent in maintainability and can appropriately control the temperature of an object to be frozen. The present invention provides a container for cryopreservation and transportation (1A) used to transport an object to be frozen, including: a thermal insulation container (2) having an upper opening (2a); a thermal insulation lid (3) which closes the upper opening (2a) of the thermal insulation container (2); and a cooling unit (4) which is held in the thermal insulation container (2) while absorbing liquid nitrogen, wherein a housing space (K) for accommodating a storage tool (50) for storing the object to be frozen is provided inside the thermal insulation container (2), and the cooling unit (4) is detachable through the upper opening (2a) of the thermal insulation container (2) while the storage tool (50) located in the housing space (K) is housed in the thermal insulation container (2).

Disclosed is a biological sample storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising a storage device, with the interior thereof being a cryogenic environment for storing a biological sample, and the biological sample comprising cryogenic vials and a cryogenic shelf for holding the cryogenic vials; an operation device detachably connected to the storage device for receiving a transfer tank for holding the biological sample and performing storage and retrieval of the biological sample in the storage device by means of the transfer tank; and a sealing device, the sealing device being used for sealing the storage device when the storage device is detached from the operation device. A cryogenic storage and retrieval method is also provided.

Disclosed is a biological sample storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising a storage device, with the interior thereof being a cryogenic environment for storing a biological sample, and the biological sample comprising cryogenic vials and a cryogenic shelf for holding the cryogenic vials; an operation device detachably connected to the storage device for receiving a transfer tank for holding the biological sample and performing storage and retrieval of the biological sample in the storage device by means of the transfer tank; and a sealing device, the sealing device being used for sealing the storage device when the storage device is detached from the operation device. A cryogenic storage and retrieval method is also provided.

The present invention is directed to a cryogenic cooler that may include a cold finger coupled to a cooling source, an insulating vessel having an inner wall, an outer wall and an interior area formed within the inner wall, where the cold finger may be positioned at least partially within the interior area. The cryogenic cooler may also have a fitting positioned on the outer wall and configured for coupling to a gas source, and a passageway formed between the coupling and the inner wall and configured to allow the transfer of a gas from the gas source to the interior area. The cryogenic cooler may also have an opening is formed in the interior area so as to allow the transfer of the gas around the cold finger and out of the interior area.

A cryogenic cooling system is provided having a vessel, the vessel comprising extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a sample probe movable along the longitudinal axis. One or more cooling members are thermally coupled to the vessel so as to produce a thermal gradient along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. A vent extends along the outside of the vessel and is configured to provide a pathway for a flow of gas from an inlet of the vent to an outlet of the vent. The inlet is in gaseous communication with the inside of the vessel and the outlet is in gaseous communication an environment external to the vessel. The inlet is arranged at a position along the vessel configured to obtain a temperature below 63 kelvin during operation of the one or more cooling members, and the outlet is arranged at a position configured to maintain a temperature above 273 kelvin when the outlet has a temperature below 63 kelvin. The vent further comprises a pressure relief element configured to open and close said pathway in dependence on the pressure within the vessel such that, when the pressure of a gas inside the vessel exceeds a safety threshold, the pressure relief element is opened so as to enable a flow of said gas from the inside of the vessel to the environment external to the vessel.

A cryogenic cooling system is provided having a vessel, the vessel comprising extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a sample probe movable along the longitudinal axis. One or more cooling members are thermally coupled to the vessel so as to produce a thermal gradient along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. A vent extends along the outside of the vessel and is configured to provide a pathway for a flow of gas from an inlet of the vent to an outlet of the vent. The inlet is in gaseous communication with the inside of the vessel and the outlet is in gaseous communication an environment external to the vessel. The inlet is arranged at a position along the vessel configured to obtain a temperature below 63 kelvin during operation of the one or more cooling members, and the outlet is arranged at a position configured to maintain a temperature above 273 kelvin when the outlet has a temperature below 63 kelvin. The vent further comprises a pressure relief element configured to open and close said pathway in dependence on the pressure within the vessel such that, when the pressure of a gas inside the vessel exceeds a safety threshold, the pressure relief element is opened so as to enable a flow of said gas from the inside of the vessel to the environment external to the vessel.

A cooler is provided which has various improvements. The cooler may be a passive cooler or may be actively cooled for providing desirable cooling effects. The cooler may include an accessory system, for example, with bottle or can holders or a post holder which utilizes the weight of the cooler to support a sunshade. The accessory system may be positioned in various locations of the cooler, one location being in a recess which is utilized to open the cooler lid. The smart cooler may also comprise a cushion assembly which may be placed on an upper surface of the lid and may have straps to retain the cushion on the lid. The lid may be formed to accept and retain a cushion retaining feature so that the cushion does not excessively move from the top surface of the lid.

A cryogenic cooling manifold and methods incorporating a cryogenic cooling manifold for managing the gas layer(s) above a liquid cryogen to control cooling temperature-time profiles and ice formation for microliter and smaller samples that are plunged through the gas and into the liquid cryogen.

A cryogenic cooling manifold and methods incorporating a cryogenic cooling manifold for managing the gas layer(s) above a liquid cryogen to control cooling temperature-time profiles and ice formation for microliter and smaller samples that are plunged through the gas and into the liquid cryogen.