In a method of ventilating excised lungs, a ventilation gas is supplied to an airway of a lung and a vacuum is formed around the lung. A quality of the vacuum is varied between a lower level and a higher level to cause the lung to breathe, while the pressure of the ventilation gas supplied to the airway is regulated to maintain a positive airway pressure in the airway of the lung. The vacuum may be cyclically varied between the two vacuum levels. The levels may be maintained substantially constant over a period of time, or one or both of the lower and higher levels may be adjusted during ventilation. The lung may be placed in a sealed chamber, and a vacuum is formed in the chamber around the lung.

In a method of ventilating excised lungs, a ventilation gas is supplied to an airway of a lung and a vacuum is formed around the lung. A quality of the vacuum is varied between a lower level and a higher level to cause the lung to breathe, while the pressure of the ventilation gas supplied to the airway is regulated to maintain a positive airway pressure in the airway of the lung. The vacuum may be cyclically varied between the two vacuum levels. The levels may be maintained substantially constant over a period of time, or one or both of the lower and higher levels may be adjusted during ventilation. The lung may be placed in a sealed chamber, and a vacuum is formed in the chamber around the lung.

The present invention provides methods for isolating and cryopreserving tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and producing therapeutic populations of TILs, including methods via use of a kit and a semi-automatic device for aseptic disaggregation, enrichment, and cryopreservation of a resected tumor prior to expansion of the TIL population. The present invention also provides methods for expansion, and/or stabilization of TILs, for instance UTILs, compositions involving the same and methods of treatment involving the same.

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.

A medical device for thermally insulating a graft to be transplanted includes a cover body or receptacle. The cover body includes a cavity within which the graft is received, in use. The cover body is made of a biocompatible thermally insulating material. The cover body has a shape similar to that of the graft. In use, the medical device is configured to keep the graft received therein sufficiently cool to substantially prevent warm ischaemic injury to the graft.

Provided is a novel means of inhibiting fertilized egg fragmentation. The present invention provides an inhibitor of fertilized egg fragmentation, said inhibitor comprising selenoneine or ergothioneine, a tautomer or dimer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the same as an active agent.

Disclosed are compounds and compositions for slowing, preventing, or reversing platelet damage, particularly as may occur during blood banking or during refrigeration of platelets. Also disclosed herein are methods for storing platelets and methods for improving platelet survival upon transfusion with one or more compounds or compositions as described herein.

Disclosed herein are cryostorage devices, systems, and methods for cryopreservation or vitrification of biological materials, such as oocytes and embryos. These cryostorage devices can include a capillary straw with the dual functionality for loading/unloading a sample. The devices can also include a self-sealing mechanism and an adapter for coupling with pipettes to enable loading of a predetermined volume of sample. The devices can also include a removable cap to protect the capillary during long-term cryostorage. Methods described herein relate to the manual or automated use of such devices.

A biomaterial preserving composition including a thermos-reversible polymer is provided. The composition is capable of solving problems related to conventional biomaterial preserving liquids not being sufficient for the survival or functional retention of cells in a biomaterial, and having many restrictions in preservation conditions such as the preservation temperature and the preservation treatment, resulting in a bottleneck for widespread use of cell therapy.

Provided herein are compositions and methods related to extending viable preservation of organs and tissues. The compositions comprise superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin E, and glutathione, and optionally, a preservation solution (e.g., University of Wisconsin solution). Also provided are methods of preserving the contractile function of a contractile tissue, as well as kits comprising the compositions described herein.