CRYOGENIC VIAL ASSEMBLIES

• US 20180242573A1
• Filed: 11/03/2016
• Published: 08/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Lacey, William Joseph, Martin, Gregory Roger, Tanner, Allison Jean
• Granted Patent: US 11,684,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/043 Hinged closures
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0858 Side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• 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: C12M 45/22 Means for packing or storing viable microorganisms casings for storing cell samples A61B10/0096, preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02

Abstract

Vial assemblies comprise a tubular body and a cap, the cap including a first portion configured to abut a lip of an open end of the tubular body, a threaded portion configured to couple to threading on an internal surface of the tubular body, and a second portion protruding from the threaded portion and extending into a cavity of the tubular body. Methods for storing and removing frozen samples from such vial assemblies are also described.

Claims

1. A vial assembly comprising:

a tubular body comprising a cavity, an open end comprising a lip, and a closed end, wherein an internal surface of the tubular body proximate the open end comprises threading; and

a cap configured to couple to the open end of the tubular body, wherein the cap comprises;

a first portion configured to abut the lip of the open end;

a threaded portion configured to couple to at least a portion of the threading on the internal surface of the tubular body; and

a second portion protruding from the threaded portion and extending into the cavity of the tubular body.

2. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to couple to the open end of the tubular body by rotation to engage the threaded portion of the cap to the threading on the internal surface of the tubular body.

3. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular body comprises a first portion having an internal surface comprising threading and a second portion having an internal surface not comprising threading.

4. The vial assembly of claim 3, wherein a diameter of the first portion of the tubular body is greater than a diameter of the second portion of the tubular body.

5. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the tubular body comprising threading extends from the open end to the closed end of the tubular body.

6. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises an upper portion having a height extending above the lip of the open end, the upper portion comprising a textured surface.

7. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion is configured to seal the open end of the tubular body.

8. The vial assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sealing member between the first portion and the lip of the tubular body.

9. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded portion of the cap comprises a hollow cylinder having an external threaded surface.

10. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a substantially flat piece having at least one dimension chosen from length or width greater than a thickness of the substantially flat piece.

11. The vial assembly of claim 9, wherein the second portion comprises at least one aperture extending across the thickness of the second portion.

12. The vial assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular body comprises a tube wall and wherein at least a first portion of the tube wall proximate the closed end has a thickness less than a thickness of a second portion of the tube wall proximate the open end.

13. The vial assembly of claim 12, further comprising at least two flanges proximate the closed end of the tubular body, wherein the flanges are configured to hinge inwardly and apply force to the closed end of the tubular body.

14. The vial assembly of claim 13, wherein the flanges further comprise at least one gusset configured to apply an upward force to the closed end of the tubular body.

15. A method for preparing a frozen sample, comprising:

introducing a liquid sample into a cavity of a tubular body;

engaging an open end of the tubular body with a cap to form a sealed vial assembly, wherein the cap comprises;

a first portion configured to abut a lip of the open end of the tubular body;

a threaded portion configured to couple to at least a portion of threading on an internal surface of the tubular body; and

a second portion protruding from the threaded portion and extending into the cavity of the tubular body;

wherein when the cap is engaged with the open end of the tubular body the second portion of the cap is at least partially immersed in the liquid sample; and

freezing the sealed vial assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein engaging the open end of the tubular body with the cap comprises rotating the cap to engage the threaded portion of the cap to the threading on the internal surface of the tubular body.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the liquid sample comprises a biological sample.

18. A method for removing a frozen sample from a vial assembly comprising a tubular body and a cap, the method comprising:

rotating the cap of the vial assembly to disengage a threaded portion of the cap from threading on an internal surface of the tubular body;

wherein rotating the cap causes a second portion of the cap in physical contact with the frozen sample to rotate the frozen sample and at least partially disengage the frozen sample from the internal surface of the tubular body;

removing the cap; and

removing the frozen sample from the vial assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising applying pressure to at least a portion of a closed end of the tubular body, wherein the closed end is configured to compress at least partially upon the application of pressure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein applying pressure to at least a portion of the closed end of the tubular body comprises depressing two or more flanges proximate the closed end.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the frozen sample is at least partially attached to the second portion of the cap and removing the frozen sample comprises pulling the cap from the tubular body for a distance sufficient to fully disengage the frozen sample from the tubular body.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the threading on the internal surface of the tubular body extends from the open end to the closed end of the tubular body and wherein removing the frozen sample comprises rotating the cap for a number of revolutions sufficient to disengage the frozen sample from the threading of the tubular body.