Cryopreserving and cryogenically processing biological objects

US5925511A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. · DE

Inventors

• Gunter Fuhr · Berlin, DE
• Jan Hornung · Berlin, DE
• Rolf Hagedorn · Berlin, DE
• Torsten Müller · Berlin, DE
• Steffen Howitz · Dresden, DE
• Bernd Wagner · Looft, DE
• Ulrich Hofmann · Itzehoe, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 29, 1997
• Grant date: Jul 20, 1999
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A01N1/168
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

For the fixated cryopreservation of single living biological objects or s objects compiled in a given number (for example cells) a cryogenically cooled substrate (13) is jetted therewith in a enveloping solution in microdroplet form (12) from a storage vessel, for example by means of a microdroplet jetting device (11). The substrate is temperature-controlled via a coolant (15), the surface to be jetted being located in a gas atmosphere or in vacuum (14). The substrate surface is maintained at a temperature T1 resulting in freezing of the impinging microdroplet, the substrate surface being possibly supportingly microstructured and comprising sensing elements. By controlled movement of either the substrate or the microdroplet jetting device the microdroplets can be applied singly and in patterns in arrays freely selectable or predetermined by the structuring of the substrate. The substrate with the applied microdroplets and the cells frozen therein are stored and/or processed by a processing means (17) ablating the material or applying said material at temperatures T2 of down to -273.degree. C. In the cryogenic condition manipulations such as removal by mechanical ablation or additio…