Cryopreservation apparatus and methods
US11576373B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2018 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2400/28
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Apparatus are provided for preventing the formation of ice crystals in a biological sample containing a non-Newtonian fluid as a cryopreservation medium. The apparatus may be used to prevent ice formation during cryopreservation of biological samples, or during warming of cryopreserved biological samples, by changing the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid. The apparatus (200) comprises a housing (202) for a container (212) containing the biological sample (214) and the non-Newtonian fluid, and a device (204) for inducing a change in viscosity of the cryopreservation medium. The change in viscosity may be increased by inducing shear thickening of the cryopreservation medium, or the change in viscosity may be decreased by inducing shear thinning of the cryopreservation medium. Possible viscosity-changing devices comprise a tapping device, a piston, a rotating device, a compression device, a sound generating device, a permanent magnet or a electromagnetic field generating device. The apparatus may further include a temperature control device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.