The invention relates to a low temperature indicator mixture for indicating/monitoring a temperature transition within a temperature range of between 20 C. and 160 C., which comprises at least one dye, e.g. oil red, methyl rot, brilliant green, rhodamine B, and at least one alcohol selected from the group that comprises octane-1-ol, nonan-1-ol, propane-1,2-diol, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,2-diol, butane-1,3-diol, butane-2-ol, pentane-1,5- diol, pentane-1-ol, cyclopentanol, benzyl alcohol, wherein the melt temperature of the mixture is within the aforementioned temperature range. Further aspects of the invention relate to devices and methods for indicating/monitoring a temperature transition within the aforementioned temperature range, in which devices and methods the aforementioned low temperature indicator mixture is used. In a specific embodiment, a device of this kind comprises at least the following components in at least one closed space: a) a partial region, which is at least partially filled with an indicator mixture as defined above; b) a second partial region, which is at least partially filled with an absorbent material, said material being optionally separated from the indicator mixture by a separating element; and c) optionally means to penetrate the separating element to bring the indicator mixture in a liquid state into contact with the absorbent material. In a method according to the invention for temperature monitoring using a device of this kind, a check is carried out to determine whether at least part of the indicator mixture was absorbed by the absorbent material, which indicates an at least temporary increase in the temperature of the device to at least the melt temperature of the indicator mixture.

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.

This disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for processing a sample. The method includes acquiring an identification of each cassette in a basket and an identification of each sample contained in the cassette by reading an electronic tag of the cassette, wherein the identification of the cassette and the identification of the sample contained in the cassette are stored in an associated manner in the electronic tag of the cassette; acquiring information of each sample from a library information system based on the identification of the sample; and recording the information of each sample for use in subsequent processing of the sample.

A cryogenic storage system includes a transfer module configured to service one or more cryogenic storage freezers. The transfer module includes a working chamber that maintains a cryogenic environment for the transfer of sample tubes between different sample boxes. One or more freezer ports enable the transfer module to receive a sample box extracted from a respective freezer. An input/output (I/O) port enables external access to samples. A box transport robot operates to transport sample boxes between the freezer ports, the working chamber, and the I/O port. A picker robot operates to transfer sample tubes between sample boxes within the working chamber.

The invention relates to a machine for labeling blank-labeled cryogenically-frozen vials or ampoules, which contain heat-labile biological materials, and to which a laser-light sensitive material had been applied prior to freezing. Accordingly, the machine has been designed to maintain the integrity of the biological materials throughout all phases of the labeling process. The machine generally comprises a master control system; a programmable user interface; a frame; cryogenic freezer assemblies, for keeping the vials at the required low temperatures; an infeed assembly, configured to receive and position blank-labeled cryogenic vials; a cryostatic labeling/quality control tunnel, wherein the vials are maintained at the required temperature, labeled by laser ablation, and checked for quality; and, an outfeed assembly. The machine further comprises a means for transporting the vials from the infeed assembly to the tunnel, and from the tunnel to the outfeed assembly. Vials labeled according to the instant disclosure are ultimately manually or automatically loaded into cryogenic shipping containers.

A bone cutting assembly includes a manually actuated upper cutting element that carries a plurality of cutting blades configured to cut through frozen bone segments. A lower cutting element supports a bone segment to be cut and can include cutting blades aligned with the cutting blades of the upper cutting assembly. A pivoting linkage or a rack and pinion arrangement can be provided between the upper cutting element and a manually operated handle to provide sufficient mechanical advantage or leverage to allow an operator to manually cut through the bone.

A sample processing unit (SPU)-equipped drone for transporting and processing biological materials and method of using same is disclosed. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed SPU-equipped drone and method provide a drone equipped to carry an SPU and wherein the SPU may include a centrifuge arranged inside a temperature-controlled chamber and wherein the centrifuge may be used to process biological materials at the same time that the SPU-equipped drone is in flight. Further, a method of using the presently disclosed SPU-equipped drone for transporting and processing biological materials is provided.

Intelligent portable carrier device for supporting movement in product tracking and monitoring of regulated products, such as tissue and biologics. Embodiments of the invention use product identification technology, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and readers, to uniquely identify the regulated products as they are added to or removed from the intelligent portable carrier device. Embodiments of the invention may also be configured to monitor and report temperature and other environmental conditions associated with the intelligent portable carrier device.

The invention relates to a long term cell culturing method and a cell culturing apparatus and kit that employ a porous polyimide film. The invention further relates to a cell cryopreservation method and kit employing the porous polyimide film.

A cryogenic storage system includes a transfer module configured to service one or more cryogenic storage freezers. The transfer module includes a working chamber that maintains a cryogenic environment for the transfer of sample tubes between different sample boxes. One or more freezer ports enable the transfer module to receive a sample box extracted from a respective freezer. An input/output (I/O) port enables external access to samples. A box transport robot operates to transport sample boxes between the freezer ports, the working chamber, and the I/O port. A picker robot operates to transfer sample tubes between sample boxes within the working chamber.