The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

Methods and vitrification systems for biological samples are provided. The vitrification system has a rotatable cryowheel (210) with a facing surface (220). Droplets of a composition that includes a biological sample are released onto the facing surface. Droplets are rapidly pulled beneath the surface of the cryogenic coolant (160) to generate vitrified samples (180). Methods and cryopreservation devices are also provided that incorporate the vitrification systems.

Methods and vitrification systems for biological samples are provided. The vitrification system has a rotatable cryowheel (210) with a facing surface (220). Droplets of a composition that includes a biological sample are released onto the facing surface. Droplets are rapidly pulled beneath the surface of the cryogenic coolant (160) to generate vitrified samples (180). Methods and cryopreservation devices are also provided that incorporate the vitrification systems.

A method and system for measuring a liquid level within a cold storage container and/or determining its cooling capacity based on the liquid level includes a sensor column. The sensor column has a plurality of resistive temperature detectors (RTDs) positioned along its length. A central controller is coupled to the plurality of RTDs. A cold storage container receives the sensor column, wherein the central controller may determine a liquid level of a cryogenic liquid held within the cold storage container using the RTDs. And based on the liquid level determined, the central controller determines a remaining cooling capacity of the cold storage container as the cryogenic liquid evaporates/changes phase over time. The central controller may also detect other conditions of the container, such as, but not limited to, a tilt position, an opened state, and/or presence of the container on a moving vehicle.

A dual-function tower, able to be taken to the canister of cryogenic cylinders for freezing semen, which includes two tubes each with an oblong hollow making up a cavity for easy withdrawal of the pallets. The tubes are assembled together by -turn threads, such as on the cover, which, due to their arrangement, do not cause external bulges adversely affecting the automation of the process and promote perfect alignment of the cavities upon assembly.

A universal preservation and transportation device for human organs is disclosed. The device comprises a lower unit and a removable lid that can be attached to the lower unit. A cooling unit and associated power supply can maintain a consistent temperature within the inner compartment, which can be controlled via a control unit and/or remote control. The device also includes a GPS chip for tracking its location.

A method, system and device for programmed cell freezing is disclosed. The method includes: S1, acquiring a cooling rate k and a temperature distribution function T=ah.sup.2+bh+c of a heat preservation chamber containing liquid nitrogen; S2, controlling a cell preservation tube to lower in the chamber at a speed of v=(kb)/2ah, and acquiring temperatures T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 inside and outside the tube at a same time and at a same height in real time during the lowering of the tube; S3, determining whether a difference t between T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 exceeds a preset temperature difference threshold, if yes, proceeding to S4, and if no, proceeding to S2 until the tube reaches a position corresponding to a preset temperature T.sub.0; and S4, controlling the cell preservation tube to stop until the difference t between T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 is less than or equal to the temperature difference threshold, and continuing S2.

A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers may include a pick and/or place head, a first secondary reservoir, and optionally a second secondary reservoir which hold cryogenic fluid in a liquid form, above a main reservoir of cryogenic liquid, to cool the pick and/or place head and/or to cool or recharge the specimen containers during transfer operations. Storage locations may be arrayed in wedge-shaped sets spaced above cryogenic liquid of the main reservoir of a cryogenic storage tank at one or more levels, and pivotal about a central axis via a motor and control system. A gap (e.g., wedge shaped gap) between two successively angularly adjacent sets of storage locations of the sets of storage locations at an upper level provides access to the storage locations of the sets of storage locations at a lower level. Cryogenic liquid temperatures and levels in reservoirs are monitored.

A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers may include a pick and/or place head, a first secondary reservoir, and optionally a second secondary reservoir which hold cryogenic fluid in a liquid form, above a main reservoir of cryogenic liquid, to cool the pick and/or place head and/or to cool or recharge the specimen containers during transfer operations. Storage locations may be arrayed in wedge-shaped sets spaced above cryogenic liquid of the main reservoir of a cryogenic storage tank at one or more levels, and pivotal about a central axis via a motor and control system. A gap (e.g., wedge shaped gap) between two successively angularly adjacent sets of storage locations of the sets of storage locations at an upper level provides access to the storage locations of the sets of storage locations at a lower level. Cryogenic liquid temperatures and levels in reservoirs are monitored.