A remote system for monitoring and controlling one or more devices for use in the cryogenic processing of a sample is provided. A remote server capable of transmitting freezing profile data to one or more freezers, transmitting transportation profile data to one or more transportation devices, and transmitting thawing profile data to one or more thawing devices. The remote server is also capable of receiving detected data from the one or more freezers relating to the freezing of a sample in accordance with the freezing profile data, receiving detected data from the one or more transportation devices relating to the transportation of a sample in accordance with the transportation profile data, and receiving detected data from the one or more thawing machines relating to the thawing of a sample in accordance with the thawing profile data.

A specimen carrier includes an elongate member defining an external sealing surface and a support surface upon which a specimen can be carried, the elongate member including a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The specimen carrier further includes a cap configured to be passed over a portion of the elongate member to close a region of the cap that surrounds the specimen when the cap is passed over the portion of the elongate member, the cap defining an internal sealing surface formed complementary to the external sealing surface, and the cap including a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. When the elongate member and cap are together placed in a cooling substance, the internal sealing surface of the cap compresses the external sealing surface of the elongate member to form a hermetic seal.

An apparatus for preserving biological material, comprising an insert configured to be arranged within an outer insulated tank, the insert defining a compartment for receiving biological material, such that, in operation, biological material in the compartment is immersed in the heat exchange fluid to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid for freezing of said biological material, the apparatus further comprising a pump that is operable to adjust a flow of heat exchange fluid over the biological material in the compartment, the pump being operable to cool the biological material at one or more different stages of cooling.

A remote system for monitoring and controlling one or more devices for use in the cryogenic processing of a sample is provided. A remote server (130) is provided, capable of transmitting freezing profile data to one or more freezers (101, . . . , 10n), transmitting transportation profile data to one or more transportation devices, and transmitting thawing profile data to one or more thawing devices. The remote server is also capable of receiving detected data from the one or more freezers relating to the freezing of a sample in accordance with the freezing profile data, receiving detected data from the one or more transportation devices relating to the transportation of a sample in accordance with the transportation profile data, and receiving detected data from the one or more thawing machines relating to the thawing of a sample in accordance with the thawing profile data.

Cryogenic devices are provided in which solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used to maintain a temperature zone in which samples can be manipulated under conditions in which the sample is maintained at a temperature below 50 C.

A liquid deposition system comprises a liquid delivery assembly including a dispensing probe having a sidewall including a first end having a liquid port and a second end having a tip, and a flow path opening at the tip and fluidly connected with the liquid port. The system includes a gas injection assembly with a manifold having a gas nozzle, a nozzle opening, and a gas port, the gas nozzle configured to eject a substantially laminar gas stream so that the gas stream travels through a travel path, the tip of the dispensing probe extending into the travel path. The liquid port is fluidly connectable with a liquid source and the gas port is fluidly connectable with a pressurized gas source, so that a liquid micro droplet is formed at the tip. The laminar gas stream separates the micro droplet from the tip and carries it through the travel path.

A system is provided for transporting, handling and monitoring samples in a temperature-controlled storage environment. The system includes a handheld carrier configured to transfer samples to and from a temperature-controlled storage station and a temperature-controlled container for receiving and housing one or more carriers. The carrier includes an integrated sample identification and temperature sensing capability configured to monitor a thermal history of one or more samples during transport, handling and storage including as the samples are conveyed between the temperature-controlled storage environment and the temperature-controlled container. That is, the carrier is adapted to be held in the hand during use. A carrier for conveying and monitoring samples during transport, handling and storage is also provided.

A cryogenic cooling system can include a cooling device and a sample holder. The system can also include a first optical member having a first aperture and a first collimator, where the first collimator is positioned to collimate the light. The system can further include a second optical member having a second aperture and a second collimator where the second collimator is positioned to collimate the light, the first optical member being mounted to the cooling device and the second optical member being mounted to the sample holder. When the sample holder is mounted to the cooling device, a relative position of the first optical member and the second optical member allows the light to pass between the first and second apertures via the first collimator and second collimator separated by a physical gap to allow optical communication between the first optical member and the second optical member.

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.

Aspects and embodiments relate to electron microscopy sample preparation apparatus; and a method of preparing an electron microscopy sample. Aspects and embodiments provide electron microscopy sample preparation apparatus. The apparatus comprises a support holder configured to receive an electron microscopy sample support, the electron microscopy sample support configured to receive a fluid sample. The apparatus comprising a gas outlet configured to direct a flow of gas towards a surface of the electron microscopy sample support to adjust fluid supported by the electron microscopy sample support. Aspects and embodiments recognise that in order to be successfully imaged, a specimen must be adequately prepared for imaging. Successful and reproducible preparation of an electron microscopy sample or specimen may be key to obtaining useful results from microscopy techniques. It will be appreciated that incorrect or unsuccessful preparation of a specimen for examination, may result in damage to a specimen, poor and/or irreproducible results.