Device for directional cooling of biological matter
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for freezing a biological sample in a flexible container, the apparatus comprising:
- a cooling axis;
at least one set of two cooling plates with inner surfaces positioned along the cooling axis, each at least one set of two cooling plates comprisinga first plate dimension perpendicular to the cooling axis, and a second plate dimension parallel to the cooling axis;
a passage defined between the inner surfaces of the plates, the passage comprising an inner width that conforms to an outer width of the container; and
a motion unit that moves the container through the passage along the cooling axis, wherein the sample is cooled by conduction from direct contact between the container and the inner surfaces of the plates,wherein the cooling plates maintain direct and tight sliding contact with the flexible container as the flexible container passes through the passage.
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Abstract
An apparatus for freezing a biological sample in a container while it moves along a cooling axis is provided. The apparatus has at least one set of two cooling plates with inner surfaces having a first plate dimension perpendicular to the axis, and a second plate dimension parallel to the axis. The inner surfaces define a passage therebetween with a width that corresponds to the container thickness and which is no larger than the first plate dimension. A method for cooling using the apparatus is also provided.
61 Citations
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus for freezing a biological sample in a flexible container, the apparatus comprising:
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a cooling axis; at least one set of two cooling plates with inner surfaces positioned along the cooling axis, each at least one set of two cooling plates comprising a first plate dimension perpendicular to the cooling axis, and a second plate dimension parallel to the cooling axis; a passage defined between the inner surfaces of the plates, the passage comprising an inner width that conforms to an outer width of the container; and a motion unit that moves the container through the passage along the cooling axis, wherein the sample is cooled by conduction from direct contact between the container and the inner surfaces of the plates, wherein the cooling plates maintain direct and tight sliding contact with the flexible container as the flexible container passes through the passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification