The invention relates to a method for vitrifying a biological sample. The method includes positioning a sample holder with the biological sample by a transfer device in a starting position. The sample holder has a base and a pin projecting from the base along a holder axis. Further, the biological sample is attached to the pin distant from the base. The method further comprises adding a liquid to the biological sample in the starting position by a liquid dispenser. Further, the method comprises moving the sample holder with the biological sample by the transfer device along a predetermined transfer path from the starting position to a release position, wherein the biological sample in the release position is arranged in or adjacent to a liquefied gas. It is provided that the transfer path is inclined with respect to the holder axis or runs along a circular arc. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vitrification apparatus which is configured to perform the method.

The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems, devices and methods relating to ex-vivo organ care. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to maintaining an organ ex-vivo at near-physiologic conditions.

A system for cryocooling biological samples, including a first chamber configured to hold a first amount a cryogenic liquid; a container holder positioned in thermal contact with the first chamber and configured to hold at least one removable container positioned therein, wherein the container is configured to hold a second amount of the cryogenic liquid and forms a second chamber; an elongated tube holder configured to hold at least one hollow elongated tube into the container; and a sample wand configured to hold and transfer at least one sample holder with a biological sample into the elongated tube while the elongated tube is in the container with the second amount of the cryogenic liquid therein.

A stem cell manufacturing system for manufacturing stem cells from somatic cells includes: one or more closed production device(s) configured to produce stem cells from somatic cells; one or more drive device(s) configured to be connected with the production device(s) and drive the production device(s) in such a manner as to maintain the production device(s) in an environment suitable for producing stem cells; one or more cryopreservation device(s) configured to cryopreserve the produced stem cells; a first memory device configured to store whether or not somatic cells have been introduced to the production device(s), as a first state; a second memory device configured to store whether or not the production device(s) is/are connected with the drive device(s), as a second state; and a third memory device configured to store whether or not the produced stem cells can be placed in the cryopreservation device(s), as a third state.

The present disclosure provides cryogenic storage systems and methods of using the cryogenic storage systems. A cryogenic storage system of the present disclosure may comprise a cryogenic tank with an inner door and an outer door, and a robot apparatus located adjacent to the cryogenic tank. The cryogenic tank may store multiple racks such that at most a single rack is removable through the inner door or the outer door. The cryogenic tank may store the multiple racks in multiple groups of racks comprising a first group of racks located at a first radial distance and a second group of racks located at a second radial distance that is greater than the first radial distance. The robot apparatus may selectively open and close the inner or outer doors, and insert or withdraw the single rack into or out of the cryogenic tank through the inner door or the outer door.

This document relates to methods and materials for improving the removal of gas from cryogenic freezing bags. For example, this document describes methods and devices for restricting air paths within the cryogenic freezing bag.

A method for cryopreserving a plurality of cell clusters (1, 2) of biological cells includes the steps of fractionating the cell clusters (1, 2) into at least two fractions (4) in dependency on at least one property of the cell clusters (1, 2), collecting the fractions (4) in different containers (21), and cryopreserving the cell clusters (1, 2) of the at least two fractions (4), wherein specific pretreatment methods and/or freezing methods are used for each fraction. A cryopreservation apparatus (100), for cryopreserving a plurality of cell clusters (1, 2) of biological cells, having a fractionation device, is also described.

A biological specimen of a subject is handled and tracked for a procedure involving that specimen. Prior to initiation of the procedure, a first procedure data structure (PDS) is generated. The first PDS binds an identifier corresponding to the subject with an indicator of a procedure to be performed on the specimen and identifiers of a specimen container and a specimen holder that physically contacts the biological specimen, as well as a scheduled time for the procedure. A schedule of a plurality of PDSs including the first PDS, is displayed on a display device of a graphical user interface. Following initiation of the procedure, the first PDS is updated based on user input, and after the procedure, at least a portion of the first PDS, as updated, is stored in a database in conjunction with other PDSs respectively associated with other completed procedures.

Disclosed is a device and a method for storing and transporting at least one human or animal tissue with a view to transplantation or ex vivo experimentation. The device can store such tissue in a specific storage medium until the transplantation or the ex vivo experimentation, and in particular to storing a sample of human or animal cornea, such as a corneal graft. This device for storing at least one human or animal tissue comprises at least one chamber which is suitable for receiving and storing the tissue in a liquid storage medium and which comprises means for continuous renewal of the medium in said at least one chamber. The device additionally comprises means for adjusting at least one physicochemical parameter of said medium, including its pH, by continuous circulation of a buffer gas in said at least one chamber outside of and in contact with said medium.

Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially lung tissue, through the use of an expandable accumulator to maintain a constant pressure within the lumen of the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due to, for example, flight. Systems and methods may include prolonging donor organ viability in storage through the use of an organ container that mimics the geometry and orientation of the organ in vivo.