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 capable of transmitting freezing profile data to one or more freezers, 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.

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the temperature of a cryopreserved biological sample. The invention also relates to a device for monitoring the temperature of a cryopreserved biological sample. The device (10) for monitoring the temperature of a cryopreserved biological sample comprises a sample container (1) having a receiving space (2) for receiving a biological sample (6). The device also comprises at least one chamber (11) having an interior that is not fluidically connected to the receiving space (2) and is only partially filled with an indicator substance (7) with a melting temperature in a region of −20° C. to −140° C. The chamber (11) has a barrier (13) that causes the indicator substance (7) to move into a second sub-region (12b) of the chamber (11) when the indicator substance (7) in a first sub-region (12a) of the chamber is in the fluid aggregate state.

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.

The invention relates to a device for the temperature monitoring of a cryopreserved biological sample, comprising a sample container (in particular a cryotube) having a holding space for holding a biological sample and comprising at least one chamber, the interior of which is not fluidically connected to the holding space and is filled only partially with an indicator substance, the melting temperature of which lies in a range of −20° C. to −140° C. In particular, the chamber can be formed by a container that is detachably or pivotably fastened to the sample container. Alternatively, the chamber is formed by a double-walled slide-on part or the holding space of the sample container is double-walled, wherein an intermediate space between the inner wall and the outer wall is partially filled with the indicator substance.

A system to store specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes at least a first temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature in a first region of the temperature controlled environment in an interior of the cryogenic storage tank and at least a first level sensor positioned to sense a level of a cryogenic medium within the temperature controlled environment in the interior of the cryogenic storage tank. A method of storing specimen containers in a temperature controlled environment includes monitoring one or more parameters within the temperature controlled environment to prevent exposure of biological samples within the specimen containers to parameters that put the viability of the biological samples at risk.

A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers may include a pick and/or place head, a first secondary reservoir, and optionally a second secondary reservoir which hold cryogenic fluid in a liquid form, above a main reservoir of cryogenic liquid, to cool the pick and/or place head and/or to cool or recharge the specimen containers during transfer operations. Storage locations may be arrayed in wedge-shaped sets spaced above cryogenic liquid of the main reservoir of a cryogenic storage tank at one or more levels, and pivotal about a central axis via a motor and control system. A gap (e.g., wedge shaped gap) between two successively angularly adjacent sets of storage locations of the sets of storage locations at an upper level provides access to the storage locations of the sets of storage locations at a lower level. Cryogenic liquid temperatures and levels in reservoirs are monitored.

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 method for filling and venting a device for extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed, such as a patient module in a heart-lung machine, without attached patient. A filling liquid from a filling liquid container located higher than the device flows by gravity via a venous side of the system into a reservoir and flows onwards into a blood pump located at the lower end of the reservoir, wherein a first controllable valve (HC1) for a venting line of a filter is opened and, after the response of an upper filling level sensor in the reservoir, is closed. An upper level of the filter is positioned higher than the upper filling level sensor, and a start-stop motion of the blood pump is performed, as a result of which a stepped flooding of the filter is made providing for an advantageous de-airing of the device.

The present invention relates to a device for cryopreservation of a cell or tissue, including a deposition part on which a cell or tissue is to be deposited, the deposition part having a layer containing a water-soluble polymeric compound on an outermost surface of the deposition part; and a method of cryopreservation using the device.

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.