Embodiments of a cryopreservation device and method of use are described that allow cryopreserved samples to be transferred from one location to another. In one embodiment, a cryopreservation device comprises two, telescoping tubes; one for plunging biological material into a reservoir of cryogenic liquid refrigerant, and the other for capturing the biological material along with some of the liquid refrigerant, for transferring the biological material to another location.

A system for a paper-based cryopreservation of mammalian cells includes a paper chip formed via a wax pattern printed on a paper substrate such that the wax pattern defines a plurality of hydrophilic wells that are separated from one another via a hydrophobic barrier. In addition, the system includes a microfluidics delivery device configured to load cells within the hydrophilic microwells of the paper chip. The microfluidics delivery includes a first component and a second component configured to receive the paper chip therebetween. At least one of the first and second components includes a first plurality of channels extending therethrough. Each of the plurality of channels extending therethrough along an axis from a first end aligned with a corresponding one of the microwells toward a second end, the second ends of the first plurality of channels converging at a first opening along a surface of the at last one of the first and second components so that cells are deliverable through the opening, through the first plurality of channels and to the microwells to load the cells therein.

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.

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.

A living cell cryopreservation tool has a body part formed of a cold-resistant material and a living cell holding part formed of the cold-resistant material. The living cell holding part has a long and narrow living cell attaching and holding portion. The living cell attaching and holding portion has a plurality of living cell accommodation concave portions formed in a longitudinal direction thereof and a plurality of excess cryopreservation liquid discharge passages communicating with the living cell accommodation concave portions.

A living cell cryopreservation tool has a living cell holding member having a body part and a living cell holding part and a tubular accommodation member, closed at one end thereof, which is capable of accommodating the living cell holding member. The living cell holding part has a long and narrow living cell attaching and holding portion. The living cell attaching and holding portion has heat conductors extended in a longitudinal direction thereof and projected from a distal end thereof. The tubular accommodation member has a heat conductive member accommodated inside a distal portion thereof. When the living cell holding member is inserted into the tubular accommodation member from a distal side of each heat conductor thereof, a distal portion of each heat conductor contacts the heat conductive member of the tubular accommodation member.

A container system and method for cryopreservation of sperm includes first containers having walls of a desired thickness and thermal conductivity. At least one layer of thermally insulating walls of a desired thickness and thermal conductivity is disposed around the at least one row of first containers. The first containers and thermally insulating walls are capable of being immersed from a range of about 5 C. to room temperature directly into a liquid cryogenic fluid below a surface thereof and freezing the sperm, without vitrification, at a cooling rate sufficient to maintain post-thaw quality of the sperm. The cooling rate is controlled solely by the thermal conductivity of the walls of the first containers, the layer(s) of thermally insulating walls and any substance between the walls of the first containers and the at least one thermally insulating container.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for use in freezing liquid mixtures or suspensions containing sensitive substances, such as biopharmaceutical materials, under sterile conditions and in small-volume containers. The disclosed device enables the control of ice nucleation of the solution minoring the layer of volume that freezes, while controlling the ice growth rate in a bottom up geometry, and comprises a heat transfer surface (101) with means to control temperature, a holder (102) for multiple containers (109), pressing means (103) to press the holder against the heat transfer surface and optionally a contact promoting material. The disclosed method comprises pre-cooling the device to a temperature substantially below the solution nucleation temperature, placing a container into the holder, contacting the container with the heat transfer surface until a fraction of 10% of the total sample volume is frozen; interrupting the contact between the container and the heat transfer surface; contacting the container with the heat transfer surface at a predefined freezing rate, such that the freezing of the biological solution is homogeneous; until all the volume of the solution is frozen.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for use in freezing liquid mixtures or suspensions containing sensitive substances, such as biopharmaceutical materials, under sterile conditions and in small-volume containers. The disclosed device enables the control of ice nucleation of the solution minoring the layer of volume that freezes, while controlling the ice growth rate in a bottom up geometry, and comprises a heat transfer surface (101) with means to control temperature, a holder (102) for multiple containers (109), pressing means (103) to press the holder against the heat transfer surface and optionally a contact promoting material. The disclosed method comprises pre-cooling the device to a temperature substantially below the solution nucleation temperature, placing a container into the holder, contacting the container with the heat transfer surface until a fraction of 10% of the total sample volume is frozen; interrupting the contact between the container and the heat transfer surface; contacting the container with the heat transfer surface at a predefined freezing rate, such that the freezing of the biological solution is homogeneous; until all the volume of the solution is frozen.

An automatic biological sample library, includes a frame, an upper computer, a control system, a liquid nitrogen tank, an insulated chamber, a transfer container, a rotary-disk rotating module, a basket lifting module, a tray shoveling module, a tube picking module and a transfer module. The rotary-disk rotating module, the basket lifting module, the tray shoveling module, the tube picking module and the transfer module are electrically connected to the control system. The automatic biological sample library includes the upper computer and the control system, and therefore can automatically control operations of the rotary-disk rotating module, the basket lifting module, the tray shoveling module, the tube picking module and the transfer module, such that automatic depositing and retrieving biological samples are achieved, human interference is reduced, the safety, reliability and convenience of depositing and retrieving are improved, automatic data management, data sharing and data analysis of biological sample information are realized.