An object of the present invention is to provide a cryopreservation vessel which has a coating that is capable of inhibiting the adhesion of cells or proteins and is resistant not only to aqueous solvents but also to organic solvents (for example, cryoprotectants, in particular, dimethyl sulfoxide). The invention provides a cell or protein cryopreservation vessel including, on at least a portion of the surface thereof, a coating that includes a repeating unit containing a group represented by the following formula (a), and a repeating unit containing a group represented by the following formula (b) (wherein U.sup.a1, U.sup.a2, U.sup.a3, U.sup.b1, U.sup.b2, U.sup.b3 and An.sup.− are as defined in the description and the claims).

Methods for cryopreservation of biological samples are provided. The biological samples are sub-millimeter or millimeter scale biological materials. The biological samples are pancreatic islets and stem cell derived islets. Methods for cryopreservation of islets using cryomesh and multi-step loading and unloading of CPA cocktails are provided. Methods disclosed result in vitrified and rewarmed islets with high recovery, viability and functionality. Methods are scalable for high throughput production of large amounts of vitrified and rewarmed islets for use in therapeutic transplantation.

The present disclosure relates to a radio-frequency identification system for a cryogenic straw comprising: at least one integrated circuit configured to store information and generate a radio-frequency signal in a frequency range of between 30 MHz and 3 GHz; and at least one antenna comprising a conductive thread configured to be integrated, such as molded, into a sidewall of the cryogenic straw. The disclosure further relates to a cryogenic straw comprising at least one antenna, the antenna comprising a conductive thread or rod, wherein the at least one antenna is integrated, such as molded, into a sidewall of the cryogenic straw.

A system to store specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes at least a first temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature in a first region of the temperature controlled environment in an interior of the cryogenic storage tank and at least a first level sensor positioned to sense a level of a cryogenic medium within the temperature controlled environment in the interior of the cryogenic storage tank. A method of storing specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes monitoring one or more parameters within the temperature controlled environment to prevent exposure of biological samples within the specimen containers to parameters that put the viability of the biological samples at risk.

Various systems for the containment or delivery of a product are provided. The systems allow for the storage of products at low temperatures and include a container closure inserted into a container (10). The container closure may have an elastomeric body (12) and include a material (14) having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion. In other systems, the material having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion may be inserted between the elastomeric container closure and a seal. Other systems may include an insert at least partially embedded within the elastomeric body of a container closure, an actuator having a distal end movably attached to the insert, and a resilient element between the distal end of the actuator and the insert, wherein the resilient material expands radially upon displacing the distal end of the actuator toward the insert.

Assembly for handbag multiple straws for packaging animal semen, each having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined length, comprising a freezing ramp (4) that has a rim and a bottom surrounding a central free space (5), said bottom comprising two toothed walls (11, 25) which extend longitudinally along said central free space (5), each torn lied wall (11.25) having a toothing at its top, the toothings of said toothed walls (11, 25) being identical, with each trough being delimited by a surface having a curvature along said predetermined diameter, characterized in that it further comprises a crosspiece (100) comprising parts (103, 104) that are able to move with respect to one another and are configured to permit a position in which said crosspiece (100) is removably joined to said freezing ramp (4) at a location provided to receive at least one said straw (1).

A support element for a plurality of packaging straws, the support element comprising a plate (31) and two flanges (37) rigidly connected to said plate (31) and comprising a fluted surface (53) having a plurality of similar grooves (36), each flange (37) comprising a central part as well as a first projecting part (42) and a second projecting part (43), each extending from one side of the central part, characterised in that the first projecting part comprises a bracket (42) having a bearing face and the second projecting part comprises another bracket (43) having another bearing face, said bearing face and said other bearing face being upwards facing and, in the direction of height, said bearing face being further from said plate (31) than said other bearing face. The assembly comprises the support element and a freezing rack (4).

A system is configured to perfuse one or more organs and/or associated tissues while monitoring the physiological function, testing medical devices or therapies, or both. The system includes a pump, a container, a fluid circuit, a platform, and at least one actuator. The pump is configured to generate a flow of a fluid. The container defines an interior cavity and is configured to receive at least one organ or tissue and maintain at least one environmental condition associated with the at least one organ or tissue within the interior cavity. The fluid circuit is configured to fluidically couple the pump to the at least one organ or tissue. The platform is operably coupled to the container. The at least one actuator is configured to move the platform to mimic at least one biological movement associated with the at least one organ or tissue.

A device for retaining a biological sample for performing a cryoprocedure on a biological sample having a tubular member having a lumen extending therein, the lumen configured to receive the biological sample. A retainer is couplable to a distal end of the tubular member, the retainer having a perforated member having at least one orifice, the at least one orifice having a dimension smaller than a dimension of the at least one biological sample to prevent exit of the biological sample from the tubular member, wherein the perforated element is configured to allow inflow of liquids to communicate with the lumen containing the biological sample.

Described herein are methods for preserving biomaterials by vitrification while reducing or preventing the loss of viability associated with conventional preservation methods. Also described herein are cassettes and methods for using these cassettes for cryopreserving biomaterials (e.g., a bioengineered construct or natural tissue sample).