An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.

A system for the remote live auditing of biological samples contained in a cold storage vessel (10). The vessel (10) comprises one or more canisters (100(1), 100(2)), each of which comprises a connector (102(1), 102(2)) and is configured to hold at least one container (50), each of which contains one or more biological samples and has associated therewith an RFID tag identifying the container (50) in question. The system further comprises a docking assembly (200) mounted on the vessel (10) and comprising a plurality of connectors (202), each of which is configured to engage with the connector (102(1), 102(2)) of one of said canisters (100(1), 100(2)), thereby providing an electrical connection between the docking assembly (200) and the canister (50) in question. Each canister (100(1), 100(2)) is operable to wirelessly interrogate the RFID tags of the containers (50) held therein, to receive information identifying the containers (50) as a result of the interrogation, and to communicate this identifying information to the docking assembly (200) via the electrical connection. Also disclosed are a canister and a docking assembly suitable for use in the system.

A method to divide liposuction fat into aliquots for use and cryopreservation purposes, the method comprising: providing a taking container that contains adipose material removed by liposuction, the adipose material including fat and aqueous fluid; providing a plurality of cryopreservation containers; taking a quantity of the adipose material from the taking container, keeping the quantity of the adipose material isolated from an external environment; separating by gravity the fat from the aqueous fluid in the adipose material of the taken quantity; and transferring the separated fat into one or more cryopreservation containers, to define isolated aliquots of fat.

A low temperature storage system includes a cabinet housing and a drawer that is slidable in and out of the cabinet housing. The drawer includes an interior wall and an exterior wall defining an insular space therebetween and a support grid disposed within an interior region defined by the interior wall of the drawer. The support grid defines multiple receptacles arranged in a matrix configuration and respectively sized to receive a storage carrier. The drawer further includes first markings and second markings printed on the drawer in a manner such that any one of the first markings and any one of the second markings together correspond to one of the multiple receptacles arranged in the matrix configuration.

A biological sample vitrification carrier and a method for freezing a biological sample are provided. Specifically, the carrier comprises a main body and a sealing cap that form a sealed frozen sample placing region. Frozen liquid circulating in a liquid circulating channel in the main body contacts with an outer surface of the frozen sample placing region and cools a biological sample in the frozen sample placing region. The biological sample vitrification carrier and the method in the present invention have the advantages of safety, nontoxicity and high vitrification and rewarming operation efficiency and have wide application prospects in the field of biological sample freezing.

A sample cooling and storage mechanism includes a refrigeration device and a gradient cooling device. The refrigeration device is configured to perform temperature-controlled refrigeration on storage vials. The gradient cooling device is configured to perform programmed gradient cooling on the storage vials. The refrigeration device includes at least one refrigeration zone. A nitrogen spraying component, a heating component and a storage vial rack are provided in the refrigeration zone. The nitrogen spraying component is configured to spray nitrogen in the refrigeration zone. The heating component heats the interior of the refrigeration zone. The sample cooling and storage mechanism achieves a gradient cooling function for biological samples through the gradient cooling device, thereby preventing damage to the biological samples caused by rapid cooling. In addition, the sample cooling and storage mechanism achieves a temperature-controlled refrigeration function for the biological samples through the refrigeration device.

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 used to transport an object to be frozen, including: a thermal insulation container having an upper opening; a thermal insulation lid which closes the upper opening of the thermal insulation container; and a cooling unit which is held in the thermal insulation container while absorbing liquid nitrogen, wherein a housing space for accommodating a storage tool for storing the object to be frozen is provided inside the thermal insulation container, and the cooling unit is detachable through the upper opening of the thermal insulation container while the storage tool located in the housing space is housed in the thermal insulation container.

The present invention provides devices and methods for the cryogenic storage of biological material. Devices of the invention are useful for storing material at a predetermined cryogenic temperature. An intermediate storage chamber (ITC) set within an adiabatic Dewar container includes a set, or multiple, heat transfer pipes that passively act to maintain a set temperature or temperature range. Some embodiments utilize an inner heat pipe to transfer heat out to a heat sink and an outer heat pipe to transfer heat into the ITC from a cool sink. The heat pipes may be arranged, designed, and/or filled to conduct heat energy only when set parameters beyond the predetermined range are experienced within the ITC. The method of maintaining a predetermined temperature range by means of a heat sink and cool sink are taught herein.

The present invention discloses devices configured to perform a cryoprocedure on at least one biological sample and methods for using the devices. The disclosed devices comprise a straw and a pod. The straw comprises a straw space, configured to draw liquid from a distal end of the straw space towards a proximal end of the straw space. The pod is coupled to a distal end of the straw and comprises a perforated member comprises at least one orifice whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the at least one biological sample, wherein the perforated element is configured to allow inflow of liquids into the preparation space and outflow of liquids from the preparation space. The holding space is configured to form, together with the straw space, a preparation space wherein the at least one biological sample can undergo the cryoprocedure.

A dry vapor cryogenic storage container includes an absorbent core made from a porous material that absorbs a liquid cryogen and releases the cryogen in vapor form as the absorbed liquid evaporates. Fluid channels are formed in the absorbent core to increase the available surface area through which the liquid cryogen can be absorbed. The core can absorb the cryogenic liquid much faster with inclusion of the fluid channels. The absorbent core can be made by cutting a cavity and drilling holes in a stack of calcium silicate panels. The cavity holds a contents container or an inner core. The inner core can be part of an extractor and made from porous material including fluid channels for absorbing liquid cryogen. Contents containers can be housed in the inner core.