Asymptote Limited

Optos Plc

Cell Therapy Catapult Limited

Biosafe S.a.

Christopher Creasey

Stuart Milne

Stephen Lamb

George John Morris

Rupert Rutledge

Alex Nancekievill

Andrew Fogg

The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

Shipping container

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

Containers () for cryopreserved biological samples () may include an insulated housing including a cavity () for containing at least one cryopreserved biological sample; and a sealed reservoir () at least partly surrounding the cavity, the sealed reservoir including liquified gas () such as liquified air, the gas being kept largely liquified by a heat transfer engine () such as a Stirling cryocooler. A valve () may be provided to function as both a pressure relief valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve may be coupled to a sensor () for sensing a volume of liquified gas within the sealed reservoir. The container may further include a heat exchanger () coupled to the heat engine and extending into the sealed reservoir.

Container for cryopreserved samples

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.

Apparatus for illuminating the retina of an eye. The apparatus includes an illumination device and a lens system. The illumination device and the lens system combine to provide incident illumination from an apparent point source located within the lens system. The apparatus also includes an illumination transfer device. The illumination transfer device has two foci and the apparent point source of the lens system is provided at a first focus point of the illumination transfer device and an eye is accommodated at a second focus point of the illumination transfer device. The illumination transfer device transfers the incident illumination from the apparent point source into the eye to illuminate the retina.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Christopher Creasey