Disclosed are devices and methods for non-cryogenic vitrification of biological materials that include the steps of providing one or more capillary channels of which a first opening is operably in contact with a moisture containing vitrification mixture made of a biological material and a vitrification agent.

A container for containing a freezing bag filled with biological tissue and for cooling and warming the freezing bag. The container includes a main body possessing an inner surface, a first side surface and a second side surface positioned opposite the first side surface. The main body is substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped. The container includes at least one opening in at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface of the container, and at least two ridges spaced apart from one another on the inner surface of the container to create an air gap between the spaced apart ridges, the inner surface of the container and the outer surface of the freezing bag.

The invention relates to a device for cryogenic freezing of units for packaging a biological substance comprising a receptacle (2) configured such that a stream of vapour of a cryogenic agent circulates therein, having at its top an insertion opening (10) for inserting the packaging units into the receptacle (2), a lid (3) that is able to move between a closed position in which it closes the insertion opening (10) and an open position in which it leaves the insertion opening (10) open, and a port (4) for discharging the vapour, provided in the receptacle (2), characterised in that the device (1) further comprises a stopper (13) mechanically connected to the lid (3) such that, when the lid (3) is in the closed position, the stopper (13) is spaced apart from the port (4) and, when the lid (3) is in the open position, the stopper (13) closes the port (4).

This disclosure relates to a method and system for fast freezing of a biological product (such as blood plasma) contained in an individual bag or a plurality of bags. This disclosure relates to a method and system for freezing plasma in an individual bag or a plurality of bags, favoring bottom-up ice-growth, by implementing a differential air flow on top and bottom surfaces of a horizontally placed bag or bags filled with plasma. This disclosure relates to a method and a differential air flow system for freezing plasma, wherein the heat transfer coefficient on a bottom of a bag is at least 10 times larger than at a top. This disclosure relates to a differential air flow system and method for freezing plasma, wherein the differential air flow on top and bottom surfaces of a plasma bag is imposed by at least one fan or blower.

Provided is a gas fill fixture for use in lyophilization, a related system and method. The gas fill fixture includes a chassis, fill indicator and a lid, such that the chassis and lid together form a cavity for receiving a flexible lyophilization container. The system includes a lyophilization container, a lyophilizer and a gas fill fixture incorporating a chassis, a fill indicator and a lid. The method includes process steps for using the system to lyophilize a fluid.

The present disclosure relates to a cryogenic apparatus (300, 400, 500), comprising: at least one first temperature change mechanism (310, 410) connected to a sample stage (20) and configured to change a temperature at the sample stage (20); at least one second temperature change mechanism (320, 420, 520, 522) different from the at least one first temperature change mechanism (310, 410), wherein the at least one second temperature change mechanism (320, 420, 520, 522) is connected to the sample stage (20) and configured to change the temperature at the sample stage (20); and a controller. The controller is configured to: operate the at least one first temperature change mechanism (310, 410) in a first temperature range (A); operate the at least one second temperature change mechanism (320, 420, 520, 522) in a second temperature range (B) different from the first temperature range (A); and operate both the at least one first temperature change mechanism (310, 410) and the at least one second temperature change mechanism (320, 420, 520, 522) in a third temperature range (C) between the first temperature range (A) and the second temperature range (B).

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the cryopreservation of stem cells, such as stem-cell derived retinal pigment epithelial cells, that have been seeded onto and cultured on a substrate, such as a polymeric substrate. Such cryopreserved stem cells are useful for cell therapies, such as treatment of ocular damage or disease.

Modular blood product storage system for temperature-regulated storage of blood products with a temperature regulation unit for temperature regulation of the blood product storage system, a base unit and at least one agitator unit with an upper connection side, a lower connection side, a movable compartment to receive the blood products and a drive for movement of the compartment, wherein the compartment is arranged between the upper connection side and the lower connection side, wherein the upper connection side of the agitator unit is selectively connectable to the temperature regulation unit or a further agitator unit, and wherein the lower connection side of the agitator unit is selectively connectable to the base unit or a further agitator unit.

An organ transplant system provides a pumping and refrigeration unit and a sterile disposable set to maintain a desired temperature of an organ during transplantation and to position the organ adjacent a surgical site during an organ transplantation procedure. Handling and exposure of the organ is minimized while maintaining position and condition of the organ.

A device that can be used to store blood product and/or cellular culture that may or may not be under pressure. The device includes a chamber that can be hermetically sealed and a flexible secondary bag which can be placed in the chamber. The chamber is designed to receive at least one secondary bag that contains a conventional storage bag containing blood product and/or cellular culture. The storage conditions are created in the chamber and may or may not include 1) creating a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, 2) creating a refrigerated temperature, and/or 3) providing agitation to the secondary bag. The secondary bag is filled with a gas system that is used to facilitate in the storage of the blood product and/or cellular culture. The secondary bag can be made of a material and/or include a coating or film that is impermeable to the gas system and to the gas inside the chamber. The higher-than-atmospheric pressure inside the chamber can be created by pumping an inexpensive gas, for example, air, into the chamber. The gas used to pressurize the chamber can be different from the gas system in the secondary bag.