Systems, devices, and methods for automated sample thawing
Inventors
Schryver, Brian • Shannon, David
Assignees
Broadoak Fund Iii • Broadoak Fund Iii LLC • Biolife Solutions Inc
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Publication Number
US-10555374-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to thawing a cryogenically frozen sample. The systems, devices, and methods may be used to heat a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a sample container holding the frozen sample. A sample thaw start time may be identified by measuring a temperature of the sample container and/or a temperature of the sample. A sample thaw end time may be calculated as a function of the sample thaw start time. In some embodiments, the same thaw start time may be identified by a significant change in a first derivative of a warming curve of recorded temperature measurements. The sample end time may be calculated by adding a constant to the sample thaw start time. The constant may be the average sample thaw time per the sample container.
Core Innovation
The disclosed device converts a sample contained in a vessel from a solid state to a liquid state. A pliable solid material lines a cavity formed by a non-pliable solid material, while a heater, temperature sensor, processor, and micro-controller support controlled heating. The system interrupts heating at a calculated thaw end time determined using a predictive thawing model or phase-change timing while solid phase remains in the vessel.
In an alternative configuration, two or more separate segments join to form the receptacle and move between open and closed configurations via a mechanical linkage comprising a solenoid actuator. At the calculated thaw end time, the micro-controller signals the actuator to raise the vessel and open the segments, disrupting heat transfer to limit post-thaw temperature rise. Because the background section is not included, the problem stated in the background is not explicitly described in the patent.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are claim 1 and claim 12, encompassing two inventive features directed to pliable-lined predictive thaw control and segmented receptacle actuation.
Pliable-lined receptacle with predictive thaw control
Claim 1 recites a pliable solid material forming a receptacle and lining a cavity formed by a non-pliable solid material, with the pliable material interposed between the vessel and the non-pliable material. A heater heats the pliable material above the sample's melting point, while a temperature sensor is fixed in and thermally insulated from the non-pliable material. A micro-controller interrupts heating at a calculated thaw end time determined using a predictive thawing model, while solid phase remains in the aqueous solution in the vessel.
Segmented receptacle with solenoid-actuated release
Claim 12 recites two or more separate segments that join to form a receptacle and a mechanical linkage comprising a solenoid actuator that moves the segments between open and closed configurations. A heater heats the pliable material and a temperature sensor is fixed in and thermally insulated from the non-pliable material. A micro-controller determines the thaw end time from a calculated phase-change start time and an experimentally derived phase-change duration value, signaling the solenoid actuator to raise the vessel and open the segments to disrupt heat transfer while solid phase remains.
Claim 1 centers on a lined receptacle and model-based interruption of heating before the sample is fully thawed, whereas claim 12 covers a segmented receptacle actuated by a solenoid to release the vessel and disrupt heat transfer based on phase-change timing while solid phase remains.
Stated Advantages
Reported tests show repeatable thaw profiles.
Reported tests show comparable inner-wall temperature profiles for different fill volumes.
Opening the warming-block segments limits post-thaw temperature rise, whereas the closed-block temperature profile continues to warm.
Documented Applications
Automated thawing of a sample contained in a vessel to convert the sample from a solid state to a liquid state, including thaw-device structures and thaw-cycle temperature profiles evaluated against water-bath thawing.
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