Provided is a simple, safe warming method which causes no or little damage to a biological sample. A method of warming a biological sample includes the steps of: i) putting a biological sample container (5) into a heat medium container (2), the biological sample container (5) having a biological sample disposed therein, the heat medium container (2) having a heat medium (4) disposed therein; and thereafter ii) closing an inlet (3) of the heat medium container (2), the inlet being an inlet through which the heat medium (4) is injected into the heat medium container (2); and iii) moving the heat medium (4) by moving the heat medium container (2) with the inlet (3) closed.

A system for the hypothermic transport of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids. The system includes a self-purging preservation apparatus to suspend a sample in preservation fluid and perfuse a tissue with preservation fluid. The self-purging preservation apparatus is placed in an insulated transport container having a cooling medium. When assembled, the system allows for transport of biological samples for extended periods of time at a stable temperature.

A device for storing live algae is disclosed. The device may include: a closed container, at least partially transparent to light, the container is configured to hold live algae aquaculture at a predetermined temperature; at least one light source for providing light to the closed container; a CO.sub.2 source for providing CO.sub.2 to the closed container; an air circulation system for circulating air inside the closed container; and a controller for controlling the at least one light source to illuminate an internal space of the closed container in an amount sufficient to keep the algae aquaculture alive but inhibits reproduction of the algae for at least 4 weeks.

The present invention provides for methods and devices suitable for producing a transplantable cellular suspension of living tissue suitable for grafting to a patient. In applying the method and/or in using the device, donor tissue is harvested, subjected to a cell dissociation treatment, cells suitable for grafting back to a patient are collected and dispersed in a solution that is suitable for immediate dispersion over the recipient graft site.

A system and method for cryopreservation of cells or spheroids of cells including obtaining a suspension of the isolated mammalian cells in a medium; applying the suspension to a fibrous substrate comprising a network of interconnected cellulosic fibers defining a plurality of pores therein and allowing the suspension to absorb into the fibrous substrate such that the isolated mammalian cells penetrate and settle to an interior of the fibrous substrate; and cooling the fibrous substrate to or below a temperature of −80° C.

An storage container for a biological fluid includes, for example, a sequence of elongated compartments interconnected by passageways. The sequence forms a single continuous tube or ribbon having a first end, to which a first port is optionally connected, and a second end, to which a second port is also optionally connected. After filling the container with a biological fluid, multiples closures are formed across the single continuous tube or ribbon, for example across each passageway, to seal the compartments.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for culturing a buoyant target tissue using a sandwich construct. Embodiments include preparing a buoyant target tissue in a sandwich construct for shipment, and preparing a sandwich construct comprising live tumor tissue for evaluation of candidate therapies for treating the tumor. The buoyant target tissue may include various cell types including cancer cells and tumors.

An article including either a frame having an interior cavity, and a flexible liner situated within the interior cavity; or a deformable frame having an interior cavity. Either frame can receive a sample, such as liquid having suspended live cells, and cooling freezes the sample to a solid sample. The solid sample can be readily ejected from the article having either a frame with the flexible liner, or the deformable frame, without extensive thawing. The solid sample can be rapidly displaced from the article.

A system for inoculating and transporting Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or other microbial organisms enables inoculation and transport of a specimen suspected of containing Neisseria gonorrhoeae with an InTray® GC tray. The tray comprises a floor wall having a first depression and a second depression. A Gonococcal medium is disposed in the first depression. A removable inner panel overlays the first and second depressions. A removable outer panel overlays the inner panel. After introducing Neisseria gonorrhoeae or a microbial organism into the Gonococcal medium, the panels reseal the tray. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is introduced into the Gonococcal medium for inoculation thereof. A carbon dioxide member in the second depression releases a CO.sub.2 gas. A carbon dioxide seal covers the second depression. The seal is punctured to release the CO.sub.2 gas that saturates the medium in the first depression. The CO.sub.2 gas inhibits degradation of the Gonococcal medium or other microbes that require CO.sub.2.

The invention relates to a temperature-control element (4) for a multiwell plate (1), which comprises a plurality of cavities (2) arranged in rows and columns for freezing and/or thawing biological samples. The temperature-control element (4) comprises a base body (6) which is made of a thermally conductive material and is flown through by a temperature-control fluid; and a plurality of protruding temperature-control fingers (5) arranged in rows and columns on an upper side of the base body (6), which are connected in a thermally conductive manner to the base body (6), wherein a grid spacing of the temperature control fingers (5) corresponds to a grid spacing of the cavities (2) of the multiwell plate (1). The invention further relates to a device and method for freezing biological samples, in particular for cryopreservation, and/or thawing biological samples, in particular a cryopreserved sample.