The present disclosure provides a method for cryopreserving corneal endothelial cells and/or corneal endothelial-like cells, and a freezing preparation for corneal endothelial cells and/or corneal endothelial-like cells. The present disclosure provides a method for preserving corneal endothelial cells and/or corneal endothelial-like cells, wherein the method includes: a freezing step for freezing unfrozen corneal endothelial cells and/or corneal endothelial-like cells, the freezing step including at least one stage in which the temperature is reduced at a rate of less than 1 C./min when the temperature is changed from the unfrozen temperature to the freezing target temperature; and, if necessary, a step for maintaining the corneal endothelial cells and/or the corneal endothelial-like cells in a frozen state.

An installation for handling and storing biological samples at very low temperatures includes a cartesian robot and an articulated-arm robot having at least five degrees of freedom. A biobank which uses, working jointly, a five-axis or six-axis or seven-axis robot supported by a cartesian robot which moves the five-axis or six-axis robot translationally along at least one row of storage containers, advantageously cryogenic containers each incorporating storage columns or racks with a honeycomb structure, of which the cells are able to house individual sample containers.

Disclosed is a device for use in freezing at least part of a biological sample in a receptacle, e.g. a vial or a cryopreservation bag, the device comprising: a base; and a receptacle holder comprising: a first part configured to, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using a cooler device, withdraw heat energy from a first portion of the receptacle at a first heat withdrawal rate; and a second part configured such that, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using the cooler device, a second heat withdrawal rate of heat energy withdrawal from a second portion of the receptacle via the second part is less than the first heat withdrawal rate. A temperature gradient may be established in the sample to enable progressive solidification to occur in the sample. A receptable for use in freezing a biological sample, and a freezing method are disclosed also.

The invention relates to a cooling apparatus, especially for cryogenically preserving biological samples, including a duct (5) for delivering a coolant (3) to a cooling chamber (1), a heater (6) that has an adjustable first heating performance (P2) for heating the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), a first temperature sensor (8-10) for measuring the temperature (T2-T4) in the cooling chamber (1), a second temperature sensor (7) for measuring the temperature (Ti) of the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (I), and a regulator (11) for regulating the temperature. The regulator (11) is embodied as a multiple regulator which detects several temperatures (T1-T4) as control variables and/or adjusts several heating performances (P1, P2) as manipulated variables. The invention further relates to a corresponding operating method.

The Hyperbaric Cryogenesis Chambers are equipment for medical usage, extracorporeal, and capable of promoting the proliferation and preservation of cells in a way mainly microbiologic, not biologic. They are compartments with containers that host tissues or cells in solution with nutrients, that bear pressures higher and lower to sea level. They have a cold system inside that lowers the environmental temperature and maintains it permanently. They are for maintaining viability of cells or tissues and to induce their organized proliferation with oxygen or other gases at pressures higher or lower that the exterior of the chamber.

The method involves placing an oocyte cell in a cell holder (1), securing the cell holder in a treatment station, applying a treatment solution to the cell by washing the cell with the solution, and rapidly cooling the cell holder and cell to a predetermined cryopreservation temperature for cryopreservation of the cell. The cell is cooled at a high rate sufficient to permit vitrification of the cell and any surrounding treatment solution to occur. The cell is then maintained at or below a predetermined storage temperature for storage. The method allows multiple cells to be treated simultaneously each secured within a respective cell holder.

The storage system is intended to provide users a device, that may securely hold biological samples within a cell in a space saving storage assembly. It is further an aim of the storage system to enable easy retrieval of the biological samples through a simple two-step retrieval action of the cell. Furthermore, the system includes a compact storage assembly that comprises multiple cells and canisters stacked together having efficient structural components that are suited for a typical freezer tank for biological samples. Additionally, the storage system comprises a simple elevator system that enables easy and fast retrieval of a single canister and cell from a large group of canisters.

Cryogenic storage system provides automated storage and retrieval of samples in a cryogenic environment, as well as automated transfer of individual samples between cryogenic environments. Stored samples are maintained under a cryogenic temperature threshold, while also enabling access to the samples. The samples may be organized and tracked by scanning a barcode of each sample. Embodiments may also comprise multiple storage vaults and provide for transfer of individual samples between the storage vaults, as well as between a storage vault and a removable cryogenic storage device.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a method and scalable devices for hyperfast cooling and re-warming of samples. More specifically, it relates to cryogenic preservation of biological samples via vitrification. It includes: a liquid sample placed at ambient temperature in a flat thermo conductive container that in some embodiments additionally contains a detachable disposable or sterilizable thermo conductive spiral; transferring the sample to a cooling chamber using a linear percussion stepping motor drive; hyperfast cooling of the sample using streams of pressurized liquid coolant; transferring the sample to a detachable shipping/storage chamber filled with liquid coolant, from which the sample can be transferred to another vessel that contains liquid cryogenic coolant and moved back to the shipping/storage chamber. This chamber can be then attached to a re-warming chamber, in which the sample is heated to a biologically tolerant temperature above 0 degrees Celsius in a hyperfast manner.

A fluid sample vessel includes inlet and vent tube fittings formed at one end of a container with an opposite open end closed by a needle septum. A support cap is removably engaged to the container to support the container and protect terminal ends of inlet and vent tubular branches coupled to the fittings. The support cap includes a pair of opposite legs with outwardly directed tabs for mounting within a centrifuge while supporting the cryopreservation container.