Systems and Methods for Cryopreservation of Cells

• US 20100196873A1
• Filed: 02/24/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sexton Biotechnologies, Inc. (Biolife Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vialco LLC
• Inventors: Woods, Erik John
• Granted Patent: US 8,709,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/2
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/02 Preservation of living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0231 Chemically defined matrices, e.g. alginate gels, for immobilising, holding or storing cells, tissue or organs for preservation purposes; Chemically altering or fixing cells, tissue or organs, e.g. by cross-linking, for preservation purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0257 Stationary or portable vessels generating cryogenic temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0263 Non-refrigerated containers specially adapted for transporting or storing living parts whilst preserving, e.g. cool boxes, blood bags or "straws" for cryopreservation
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0268 Carriers for immersion in cryogenic fluid, both for slow-freezing and vitrification, e.g. open or closed "straws" for embryos, oocytes or semen
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0284 Temperature processes, i.e. using a designated change in temperature over time

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A device for receiving a liquid sample obtained from a separate container, comprising:

a container for receiving the liquid sample, said container formed by a one-piece elongated body, said body defining a hollow interior from an open end and being closed at the opposite end by an inlet tube fitting and a vent tube fitting opening to said hollow interior, said one-piece body further defining a wall extending into said hollow interior and disposed between said inlet and vent tube fittings; and

a needle septum closing said open end.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an adaptor body mounted to said tube fittings, said adaptor body having an inlet tubular branch and a vent tubular branch, said vent tubular branch including a filter element disposed therein.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said inlet tubular branch includes a flared end adapted to receive an adapter for coupling said branch to a separate tube associated with a liquid container.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of a plastic suitable for storing a blood sample.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of a plastic suitable for storing the liquid sample at cryogenic temperatures.

6. A device for storing a liquid sample obtained from a separate container, comprising:

a container for receiving the liquid sample, said container having a hollow interior from an open end and being closed at the opposite end by an inlet tube fitting and a vent tube fitting opening to said hollow interior;

a needle septum closing said open end; and

a support cap having a lower portion removably engagable to said container and an upper portion extending beyond said inlet and vent tube fittings at said opposite end of said container when the support cap is engaged to the container.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein:

said container defines at least two recesses in an outer surface thereof; and

said lower portion of said support cap includes at least two resiliently deflectable elongated prongs, each having an inwardly directed tab configured to be removably received within a corresponding one of said recesses.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said tabs are situated in a middle portion along the length of said prongs.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein said upper portion includes a cylindrical wall surrounding said inlet and vent tube fittings, further including interior walls flanking opposite sides of said inlet and vent tube fittings.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein said lower portion of said support cap includes two opposite elongated legs, each of said legs including an outwardly directed tab at a free end thereof.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said elongated legs are longer than said elongated prongs.

12. The device of claim 6, wherein the container is formed of a plastic suitable for storing a blood sample.

13. The device of claim 6, wherein the container is formed of a plastic suitable for storing the liquid sample at cryogenic temperatures.

14. A method for using the device of claim 6 comprising:

coupling said inlet tube fitting to a source of liquid;

introducing the liquid through said inlet tube fitting into said container while venting air within said container through said vent tube fitting;

sealing said inlet and vent tube fittings;

mounting said support cap on said container;

disposing said support cap carrying said container within a centrifuge;

centrifugally separating supernatant from the liquid with the supernatant directly exposed to said needle septum; and

using a needle extending through said septum, drawing the supernatant from within the container.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid is introduced into the container by gravity feed.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

coupling a syringe to said vent tube fitting; and

using the syringe to generate a negative pressure within said container to draw the liquid from the liquid source into the container.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

the initial step of mounting an adaptor body on said tube fittings, said adaptor body having an inlet tubular branch and a vent tubular branch corresponding to said inlet and vent tube fittings;

the coupling step includes coupling the inlet tubular branch to the source of liquid; and

the sealing step includes severing and sealing the inlet and vent tubular branches at a position to be within the upper portion of the support cap.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid is blood and the source of liquid is a blood unit bag.