Described herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate cryopreservation of a cell or a mass of a plurality of cells such as oocytes or embryos. A device of the disclosure can, for example, store oocytes or embryos during the vitrification and/or warming processes of in vitro fertilization.

A cryogenic device for storing biological material containers comprises: a sealed cryogenic Dewar vessel; (b) a matrix of receptacles disposed in an inner space of the cryogenic Dewar vessel and configured for receiving and storing biological material containers; (c) means for loading and retrieving the biological material containers. The loading/retrieving means comprises a telescopic cane manipulator configured for loading and retrieving the biological material containers within the matrix. The receptacles are carried by a carousel member rotatable around an axis thereof. The receptacles are arranged into a number of groups distributed over the carousel member. Each group of the receptacles has a central point positioned at distance R.sub.1 from the rotation axis of the carousel member. a center of each receptacle within the group is positioned around a central point thereof at distance R.sub.2.

Containers for cryopreservation of biological material are disclosed. Each container is configured to provide a substantially consistent freeze profile throughout a chamber of the container. Specific embodiments include containers having a uniform dimension between two opposing walls defining the chamber, and containers wherein a ratio of a sum of the interior surface areas to the volume of the chamber is at or between 1 to 5 and 2 to 5.

A portable temperature-controlled container for receiving and housing one or more handheld carriers, each handheld carrier configured to transfer samples to and from a temperature-controlled storage environment, the handheld carrier including a handle and a tray portion, the tray portion configured to be slid into a port of a rack or tower provided in the temperature-controlled storage environment in order to withdraw a sample located in the port, the portable temperature-controlled container including a housing having an opening forming an internal cavity configured to receive one or more handheld carriers, and a lid configured to substantially close the opening, where the housing includes a recess configured to receive the handle of the handheld carrier such that closing of the lid substantially seals the internal cavity when the one or more handheld carriers are placed in the housing.

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.

A freezing apparatus includes a tube that stores a freezing target, an electric pipetter that is actuated for injection and discharge of a liquid into and from a tube and for movement of the tube, and a liquid nitrogen tank that stores refrigerant for freezing the freezing target. The tube has, at a bottom thereof, an opening smaller in size than the freezing target. The electric pipetter discharges the liquid from the tube through the opening after the injection of the liquid into the tube, and moves the tube to the liquid nitrogen tank.

Systems, devices and methods for shaping a liquid material within a cryostorage bag while undergoing a freezing procedure.

A cap for closing a canister includes a receptacle including a bottom wall, and one or more walls extending upward from the bottom wall and defining an opening of the receptacle that is configured to receive a body of the canister, and a handle extending upward from the receptacle and defining vertical slots that are configured to receive respective hooks of the canister.

A cap manipulator and a cap assembly are provided. The cap manipulator includes a first airbag member, a second airbag member, and an airstream channel structure therebetween and enabling inner spaces of the first airbag member and the second airbag member to be communicated. If the second airbag member is squeezed, a volume of the first airbag member is greater than that of an insertion space, and if the second airbag member is not squeezed, the volume of the first airbag member is smaller than or equal to that of the insertion space.

Disclosed are container and cap assemblies for cryogenic storage of materials at temperatures below negative 150° C. The container and cap assemblies disclosed maintain container closure integrity and fluid-tightness at ambient and cryogenic temperatures, optionally to preserve biologically active substances stored therein.