Asymptote Limited

Cell Therapy Catapult Limited

Biosafe S.a.

Stephen Lamb

Christopher Creasey

Stuart Milne

George John Morris

Rupert Rutledge

Alex Nancekievill

Peter James Kilbride

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

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

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

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.

Growing community of inventors

Potters Bar, United Kingdom

Stephen Lamb