Apparatus are provided for preventing the formation of ice crystals in a biological sample containing a non-Newtonian fluid as a cryopreservation medium. The apparatus may be used to prevent ice formation during cryopreservation of biological samples, or during warming of cryopreserved biological samples, by changing the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid. The apparatus (200) comprises a housing (202) for a container (212) containing the biological sample (214) and the non-Newtonian fluid, and a device (204) for inducing a change in viscosity of the cryopreservation medium. The change in viscosity may be increased by inducing shear thickening of the cryopreservation medium, or the change in viscosity may be decreased by inducing shear thinning of the cryopreservation medium. Possible viscosity-changing devices comprise a tapping device, a piston, a rotating device, a compression device, a sound generating device, a permanent magnet or a electromagnetic field generating device. The apparatus may further include a temperature control device.

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.

According to the present invention, there are provided a chamber for transplantation which has a high durability, and in which an enclosed biological constituent can be maintained for a long period of time because an interior space thereof is efficiently secured; and a method for manufacturing the chamber for transplantation. The chamber for transplantation includes one or more membranes for immunoisolation at a boundary between an inside and an outside of the chamber for transplantation, in which all of the membranes for immunoisolation include a porous membrane containing a polymer, and a joint portion at which the porous membranes are directly fusion welded to each other is provided. The method for manufacturing a chamber for transplantation includes preparing one or more porous membranes containing a polymer selected from polysulfone and polyethersulfone, bringing one part of the porous membrane into direct contact with another part of the porous membrane, and performing a heat fusion welding of the two parts that are in direct contact with each other at a temperature which is a glass transition temperature of the polymer or higher and lower than a melting point of the polymer.

The present invention relates to a device for transport and preservation of an ex vivo biological sample and corresponding method. The device (1) comprises a chamber (2) for containing the biological sample (100), delimitated by walls (4) made of a thermal insulating material. The device, furthermore, incorporates cooling means (6) that keep the temperature inside the chamber (2) below the temperature outside the device (1). Finally, an ultrasound system suitable for generating and applying ultrasound on the biological sample (100) is provided. The invention also proposes a method for transport and preservation which combines applying cooling and ultrasound to reduce cell damage in the biological sample.

A skin sample culture apparatus which has a base frame, with a skin sample receiving surface upon which at least part of the skin sample may be placed and which extends across an area defined by the shape of the frame. A securing member which is releasably connectable to the base frame and a grip which holds the skin sample under tension. The apparatus may include a tensioner to hold the sample under tension and means for introducing a fluid to the upper or lower surface of the sample.

An apparatus for perfusing an organ includes: an organ chamber configured to provide physical protection to an organ; at least one fluid flow loop from an outlet connection of the organ chamber, through an oxygenator, through a pump, and to an inlet connection of the organ chamber; and a container enclosing the components of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is portable.

Described are devices and methods for use in connection with organ replacement or organ assist therapy in a patient.

Electrochemical apparatus and method provide a source of electrons to a living organ in the process of transplantation. The organ, depleted of antioxidants, is placed into a vessel supplied with appropriate physiological solution and apparatus that create antioxidative environment.

Methods for stabilizing blood samples, e.g., clinical blood samples, for storage or transportation before use.

The present disclosure provides a method of producing a population of lyophilized cells, comprising: (a) freezing a composition comprising a population of cells, an aqueous component, a polyol, a sugar, and a polysaccharide; and (b) removing at least 90% of the aqueous component from the frozen composition to produce the population of lyophilized cells. On some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of producing a population of reconstituted viable cells, comprising: (a) freezing a composition comprising a population of cells, an aqueous component, a polyol, a sugar, and a polysaccharide; (b) removing at least 90% of the aqueous component from the frozen composition to produce the population of lyophilized cells, and (c) resuspending the population of lyophilized cells in a reconstitution agent to form a reconstituted composition, wherein at least 1% of the cells are viable.