Cell Therapy Catapult Limited

Asymptote Limited

Biosafe S.a.

Alex Nancekievill

Christopher Creasey

Stuart Milne

Stephen Lamb

Rupert Rutledge

A sample heating/cooling device () comprises a plurality of members () operable in use to heat and/or cool one or more samples (). Each member () has a sample contact surface and is biased towards a resting position under the operation of a biasing means. The members () are movable independently of one another against said bias under the application of a force on the sample contact surface and so are able to conform to the shape of a sample placed on the members to provide a uniform heating/cooling profile. The members () may be mounted in a heating/cooling element () and adapted to conduct thermal energy between the sample () and the element (). The device () is particularly suitable for thawing frozen sample bags having an irregular shape. A corresponding method is also described.

Device and method for heating or cooling a sample

The invention provides a method of thawing a sample comprised in a container, the method comprising the steps of: a) calculating an agitation program as a function of either or both of the sample volume and the type of the container, and the ice fraction in the sample, and optionally the thermal conductivity of the sample container; b) agitating said sample according to the program to agitate at least one region of the sample; and c) changing the agitation program applied to at least one region of the sample in response to changes in the sample volume and/or sample ice fraction. The invention further provides a method of reducing shearing to cells during a method of agitation, and methods for thawing a sample wherein a sample container is differentially heated. An apparatus for use in the methods is also provided, as is an apparatus for thawing and/or cooling a sample which comprises a resilient vessel wall.

Thawing methods and apparatus

A sample heating/cooling device comprises a plurality of members operable in use to heat and/or cool one or more samples. Each member has a sample contact surface and is biased towards a resting position under the operation of a biasing means. The members are movable independently of one another against said bias under the application of a force on the sample contact surface and so are able to conform to the shape of a sample placed on the members to provide a uniform heating/cooling profile. The members may be mounted in a heating/cooling element and adapted to conduct thermal energy between the sample and the element. The device is particularly suitable for thawing frozen sample bags having an irregular shape. A corresponding method is also described.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Alex Nancekievill