Asymptote Limited

Other

Bp Exploration Operating Company Limited

University of Leeds

Biosafe S.a.

George John Morris

Peter James Kilbride

Stephen Lamb

Stuart Milne

Christopher Creasey

Elizabeth Acton

Stephan James Lamb

Benjamin John Murray

Thomas Francis Whale

James Atkinson

Stephen James Lamb

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

Disclosed is a device for use in freezing at least part of a biological sample in a receptacle, e.g. a vial or a cryopreservation bag, the device comprising: a base; and a receptacle holder comprising: a first part configured to, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using a cooler device, withdraw heat energy from a first portion of the receptacle at a first heat withdrawal rate; and a second part configured such that, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using the cooler device, a second heat withdrawal rate of heat energy withdrawal from a second portion of the receptacle via the second part is less than the first heat withdrawal rate. A temperature gradient may be established in the sample to enable progressive solidification to occur in the sample. A receptable for use in freezing a biological sample, and a freezing method are disclosed also.

Apparatus and methods relating to freezing at least part of a biological sample

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the cryopreservation of biological samples involving a density assisted vitrification wherein a sample of biological material in a cryopreservation agent is cooled from its top surface, causing an ice layer to form thereon. As cooling continues the ice layer grows downwards through the sample to provide a cryoprotectant and biological material rich layer below the ice layer that undergoes vitrification as cooling continues to below the glass transition temperature.

Cryopreservation method and apparatus

Disclosed is a computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining first data indicative of electric power supplied to a cooling apparatus during a cooling operation on a biological sample, the cooling operation having a given cooling condition; obtaining second data associated with a reference cooling condition; determining, based on the first data and the second data, whether the given cooling condition has a predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition; and in response to a determination, by the determining, that the given cooling condition has the predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition, outputting a control signal. The given cooling condition for the 'live' data cooling operation may thus be validated against a reference cooling condition.

Method and system relating to cooling conditions for a biological 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 present invention relates to methods of cryopreservation and compositions for use in such methods where the methods utilise non-Newtonian fluid properties of the cryopreservation medium to modulate the viscosity of that medium to deliver an improved cryopreservation process.

Methods for cryopreservation

Apparatus are provided for preventing the formation of ice crystals in a biological sample containing a non-Newtonian fluid as a cryopreservation medium. The apparatus may be used to prevent ice formation during cryopreservation of biological samples, or during warming of cryopreserved biological samples, by changing the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid. The apparatus () comprises a housing () for a container () containing the biological sample () and the non-Newtonian fluid, and a device () for inducing a change in viscosity of the cryopreservation medium. The change in viscosity may be increased by inducing shear thickening of the cryopreservation medium, or the change in viscosity may be decreased by inducing shear thinning of the cryopreservation medium. Possible viscosity-changing devices comprise a tapping device, a piston, a rotating device, a compression device, a sound generating device, a permanent magnet or a electromagnetic field generating device. The apparatus may further include a temperature control device.

Cryopreservation apparatus and methods

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present technique provide apparatus for controlling ice formation, such as during the processes of cryopreservation and freeze drying. In particular, the apparatus provides a mechanism to deliver an ice nucleating material into a biological sample that is to be preserved, without allowing the ice nucleating agent to contact or contaminate the biological matter within the sample.

Methods for cryopreservation of biological materials

The present invention relates to a method for freezing a water-containing quantity of a biological entity or a formulation in a vessel using a mineral nucleator, to the use of the mineral as a nucleator and to a vessel with the mineral in or on the whole or part of a surface thereof.

Method of freezing making use of a mineral nucleator

A composition for reducing deposition of a mineral salt from an aqueous supersaturated solution onto a solid surface in contact with the aqueous supersaturated solution which composition comprises a dispersion of either (i) seed crystals of the mineral salt in an aqueous solution of the mineral salt or (ii) seed crystals of a salt isomorphous with the mineral salt in an aqueous solution of the isomorphous salt wherein the dispersed seed crystals are of Mean particle size of less than 2.5 microns.

Reduction in mineral salt deposition

A method of cryopreserving biological material, which method comprises providing a sample of the biological material, where a liquid phase of the sample includes at least one solute; lowering the temperature of the sample to a nucleating point at which ice nucleation can occur in the sample; effecting ice nucleation in the sample; and lowering the sample temperature from the nucleating point to the solidification point thereof, characterized in that the temperature lowering from the nucleating point to the solidification point is non linear, whereby the rate of change of solute concentration in the liquid phase decreases for more than 80% of the time taken to lower the temperature from the nucleating point to the solidification point.

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, United Kingdom

George John Morris