Method and apparatus for cryogenic storage of thermolabile products
US5638686A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N35/0099
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for cryoprotecting thermolabile products. A container (20) receives an annular rack (40) which is sealed by an enclosure (60). The enclosure (60) includes an outer stationary toroid (70) and a rotatable core (90). A robotic arm (160) is adapted to move and is supported by the core (90). The robotic arm (160) accesses an interior of the enclosure (60). An access portal (80) allows removal and placement of thermolabile products constrained by a holder (150). The robotic arm (160) accesses product and holder (150) and embarks upon controlled freezing of the product and its location in the rack (40) until subsequent retrieval. A computer controls the rate of freezing and stores in memory the location of all of the stored products. The robotic arm (160) reads the product in storage to assure the correct product is being accessed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.