A method for human sperm vitrification is disclosed, which includes providing liquefied human sperm; having a vitrification medium, where the vitrification medium has (a) a sperm buffer, and (b) a cryoprotectant mixture including a permeable cryoprotectant and a non-permeable cryoprotectant; mixing the liquefied sperm with the vitrification medium; providing a sperm straw and loading the straw with 0.25 to 0.5 mL of the obtained mixture; sealing the straw with heat; and placing the straw vertically in a container with liquid nitrogen to vitrify the mixture. A portable kit is also disclosed, which makes it easy to implement the method. The kit includes a vitrification medium, some straws, a container, usage instructions, among others.

An automated processing system for vitrification-cryopreservation comprising a control mechanism for fixing and controlling the displacement of a cryo-carrier holding thereon samples to undergo vitrification-cryopreservation. The control mechanism achieves operations such as flipping, lifting, and translation of the cryo-carrier, thereby immersing or detaching the samples to be cryopreserved on the cryo-carrier from the cryoprotectant. The control mechanism can also transport the cryo-carrier to a cryogenic device and immerse the samples to be cryopreserved in the refrigerant for freezing.

Disclosed is a biological sample storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising a storage device, with the interior thereof being a cryogenic environment for storing a biological sample, and the biological sample comprising cryogenic vials and a cryogenic shelf for holding the cryogenic vials; an operation device detachably connected to the storage device for receiving a transfer tank for holding the biological sample and performing storage and retrieval of the biological sample in the storage device by means of the transfer tank; and a sealing device, the sealing device being used for sealing the storage device when the storage device is detached from the operation device. A cryogenic storage and retrieval method is also provided.

Disclosed is a biological sample storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising a storage device, with the interior thereof being a cryogenic environment for storing a biological sample, and the biological sample comprising cryogenic vials and a cryogenic shelf for holding the cryogenic vials; an operation device detachably connected to the storage device for receiving a transfer tank for holding the biological sample and performing storage and retrieval of the biological sample in the storage device by means of the transfer tank; and a sealing device, the sealing device being used for sealing the storage device when the storage device is detached from the operation device. A cryogenic storage and retrieval method is also provided.

Provided herein are devices and related methods for rapidly freezing a sample using, for example, liquid nitrogen. The device includes an input portion with an input port, a sample chamber, a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a filtering mechanism that selectively allows a fluid introduced through the input port to pass through the sample chamber and into the waste reservoir, while retaining a sample within the sample chamber. The sample chamber, waste reservoir, and filtering mechanism are configured to draw fluid from the sample chamber through the filtering mechanism and into the waste reservoir via capillary action.

Provided herein are devices and related methods for rapidly freezing a sample using, for example, liquid nitrogen. The device includes an input portion with an input port, a sample chamber, a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a filtering mechanism that selectively allows a fluid introduced through the input port to pass through the sample chamber and into the waste reservoir, while retaining a sample within the sample chamber. The sample chamber, waste reservoir, and filtering mechanism are configured to draw fluid from the sample chamber through the filtering mechanism and into the waste reservoir via capillary action.

A cryopreservation cartridge has a frame and multiple cryopreservation trays. The frame has multiple mounting walls. Any two of the mounting walls have multiple tray shelf segments formed therebetween. The cryopreservation trays are respectively and detachably mounted on the tray shelf segments. Each of the cryopreservation trays has multiple cryovial mounting holes. Each of the cryovial mounting holes is adapted to load a cryovial. The cryopreservation cartridge is assembled by a frame and multiple cryopreservation trays so that one cryopreservation tray can be detached from the frame and held by a picker and then a mechanical arm can easily access any single cryovial loaded in the cryopreservation tray, thereby facilitating process of placing in or taking out the cryovial for automatic operation of cell cryopreservation and thawing.

A cryopreservation cartridge has a frame and multiple cryopreservation trays. The frame has multiple mounting walls. Any two of the mounting walls have multiple tray shelf segments formed therebetween. The cryopreservation trays are respectively and detachably mounted on the tray shelf segments. Each of the cryopreservation trays has multiple cryovial mounting holes. Each of the cryovial mounting holes is adapted to load a cryovial. The cryopreservation cartridge is assembled by a frame and multiple cryopreservation trays so that one cryopreservation tray can be detached from the frame and held by a picker and then a mechanical arm can easily access any single cryovial loaded in the cryopreservation tray, thereby facilitating process of placing in or taking out the cryovial for automatic operation of cell cryopreservation and thawing.