A method for cryopreserving an umbilical cord tissue strip includes the steps of: (a) applying tension to a segment of an umbilical cord to expand spaces between umbilical cord vessels; (b) cutting the segment of the umbilical cord, at the spaces between the umbilical cord vessels in a longitudinal direction that parallels a length of the umbilical cord vessels, to obtain the umbilical cord tissue strip, wherein the umbilical cord tissue strip contains Wharton's jelly from a perivascular region, a intervascular region, and a subamnion region; (c) incubating the umbilical cord tissue strip with a cryogenic composition; and (d) cryopreserving the umbilical cord tissue strip containing the Wharton's jelly and the cryogenic composition.

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present technique provide apparatus for controlling ice formation, such as during the processes of cryopreservation and freeze drying. In particular, the apparatus provides a mechanism to deliver an ice nucleating material into a biological sample that is to be preserved, without allowing the ice nucleating agent to contact or contaminate the biological matter within the sample.

The present invention provides a cryopreservation device that makes it possible to automatically extract an intended sample, and prevent the temperature of samples other than the intended sample from increasing. A cryopreservation device is provided, including: a cryopreservation vessel that internally accommodates a drawer configured to store vials side by side in a vertical direction in each box and has an opening communicating with a task space provided in an upper surface thereof; a drawer-raising/lowering device that raises and lowers the drawer in the vertical direction via the opening in a state where the drawer is gripped and maintains the drawer at an arbitrary height; a first stage that is provided above the cryopreservation vessel so as to be adjacent to the opening as seen in plan view and allows the box to be placed thereon; and a second pressing device that presses the box to move the box to the first stage.

An automated, large-scale, energy-efficient biological material storage and retrieval system stores large quantities of samples in trays. The system includes a heat exchanger to capture and recycle residual energy, a movable wall, a storage compartment, a multi-tray shuttle compartment with shuttle, a plenum to maintain air temperature between compartments and along the sections within the storage compartment, a mechanism to open and close dividers between compartments, and a tray connector to release or attach one or more trays within a compartment configured to minimize energy loss during operation.