CRYOGENIC VIAL

• US 20110143452A1
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Li Che, Zijiang Chen
• Original Assignee: Li Che, Zijiang Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Zijiang, Che, Li
• Granted Patent: US 8,168,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• 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: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0275 Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/50 Cryostats
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/42 Low-temperature sample treatment, e.g. cryofixation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Provided is a cryogenic vial for storing at least one sample, the vial including a pipette, a cap assembly, and a container having at least one opening in a body portion of the container to allow liquid and/or gas to enter and/or exit the vial to balance the pressure between the inside of vial and the outside environment. The cryogenic vial allows for reduced processing time and minimizes the chance a sample may be lost or damaged while being processed.

Claims

1. A cryogenic vial for storing at least one sample, the vial including:

a pipette configured to receive the sample, the pipette having a top and a bottom portion having respective openings and a passage extending between the openings;

a cap assembly having a top and a bottom portion having respective openings and a passage extending between the openings, the cap assembly being coupled to the pipette; and

a container having a top portion, a bottom portion and a body portion, the body portion forming a cavity configured to receive the pipette, wherein the container has an opening at the top portion configured to receive the cap assembly, at least one opening in the body portion configured to allow vapor to enter and exit the container, and an opening in the bottom portion configured to receive a valve.

2. A cryogenic vial according to claim 1, wherein the pipette extends through the passage in the cap.

3. A cryogenic vial according to claim 2, wherein the top portion of the pipette is configured to be coupled to a transfer device and the bottom portion of the pipette is configured to receive and store the sample.

4. A cryogenic vial according to claim 1, further comprising a connector disposed in the passage in the cap, wherein a top portion of the connector is configured to be coupled to a sample transfer device and a bottom portion of the connector is coupled to a seal.

5. A cryogenic vial according to claim 4, wherein the top portion of the pipette is coupled to the seal.

6. A cryogenic vial according to claim 1, further comprising the valve, wherein the valve is coupled to the container at the opening in the bottom portion.

7. A cryogenic vial according to claim 6, wherein the valve is configured to blowout if pressure inside the valve is greater than a predetermined pressure.

8. A cryogenic vial according to claim 1, wherein the cap assembly includes a plurality of gaps extending from the top portion to the bottom portion to allow nitrogen vapor to enter and exit the container.

9. A cryogenic vial according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of gaps are formed by a plurality of supports extending from the top portion to the bottom portion.

10. A cryogenic vial according to claim 1, wherein the cap assembly is coupled to the container by a snap lock mechanism.

11. A cryogenic vial according to claim 10, wherein the cap assembly is sealed to the container by a seal.

12. A cryogenic vial according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a threaded portion configured to receive a threaded portion of the cap assembly to secure the cap assembly to the container.

13. A method for storing a biological sample using a cryogenic vial having a pipette, a container and a cap assembly, the pipette being coupled to the cap assembly and the cap assembly being configured to be coupled to the container, the method including:

coupling a transfer device to a top portion of the cap assembly

drawing the sample in the pipette by creating negative pressure using the transfer device;

uncoupling the transfer device from the top portion of the cap assembly; and

coupling the cap assembly to the container.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising filling the container with liquid nitrogen prior to coupling the cap assembly to the container.