Selective access to cryopreserved samples

US9296500B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER—NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH · US

Inventors

• Richard W. Childs · Bethesda, US
• Herb Cullis · Gaithersburg, US
• Sumithira Vasu · Bethesda, US
• Phillippe Jean Broussard · Finksburg, US
• Kevin D. Clark · Ames, US
• Eric Kelsey Harting · Rockville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 16, 2014
• Grant date: Mar 29, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T83/283
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for selectively accessing a portion of a sterile cryopreserved sample are disclosed. The apparatus may include a container configured to receive the cryopreserved sample and having a first portion and a second portion, a heat sink chamber surrounding the first portion of the container, and a heat source adjacent to the second portion of the container. The chamber may be configured to maintain a non-accessed portion of the sample in a cryopreserved state. The heat source may be configured to separating an accessed portion of the sample from the non-accessed portion of the sample while maintaining the viability of the accessed portion while the non-accessed portion is maintained in the cryopreserved state.