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Publication Number
US-11229913-B2
Publication Date
2022-01-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Cryogenic devices are provided in which solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used to maintain a temperature zone in which samples can be manipulated under conditions in which the sample is maintained at a temperature below −50° C.
Core Innovation
A cryogenic processing workstation is described that includes an insulated open-top chamber and a gas-permeable dry-ice retainer. The retainer forms a dry ice retention space that is separated from a sample-holding portion by perforations arranged to exhaust gas directly into the interior chamber. The sample-holding portion is maintained as a working area or low temperature zone at an equilibrium condition at a temperature below ambient temperature.
The container and retainer architecture confines solid carbon dioxide (CO2) to retention spaces while allowing access to the interior floor surface of the sample-holding portion. The design includes a structure that reduces the dry ice opening interface via a collar, and a retainer geometry and vertical disposition that positions the dry ice retention space on peripheral sides of the sample-holding portion. Gas convection flow and visibility benefits are described as arising from the gas-permeable retainer and compartmentalization.
Optional temperature sensing is described for monitoring conditions within the interior chamber, with a sensor harness and an electronic control including a microprocessor and alarm system. A laser boundary delineation concept is also described as using a laser leveling line or fan laser to identify a boundary line for the low temperature zone. The workstation is presented with scalable modular chamber configurations and optional accessories for handling temperature-sensitive biological and other materials in ultra-cold ranges.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are provided. Both independent claims cover a cryogenic processing system that divides an open-top interior chamber into a sample-holding portion and a dry ice retention space using a perforated retainer, and both require maintenance of an equilibrium condition below ambient temperature while allowing access to the interior floor surface. Across the family, the claims further specify gas exhaust into the interior chamber via perforations and optional sensing and alarm features.
Perforated retainer partitioning interior chamber into sample-holding portion and dry ice retention space
A container with an interior chamber having an open top and an interior floor surface, and a perforated retainer including a first perforated portion, a second perforated portion, and a third perforated portion positioned in the interior chamber to divide the interior chamber into a sample-holding portion and a dry ice retention space, with the sample-holding portion between first and second perforated portions and the dry ice retention space positioned on first and second peripheral sides and extending on a third peripheral side when the third perforated portion is adjacent the third interior side surface.
Equilibrium below ambient temperature while allowing access to interior floor surface
The system is configured to allow access to the interior floor surface of the sample-holding portion while maintaining the sample-holding portion at an equilibrium condition at a temperature below an ambient temperature.
Gas exhaust directly into interior chamber via perforations
Perforations of the first perforated portion and the second perforated portion are configured to exhaust gas directly into the interior chamber, with the third perforated portion configured such that, when the first perforated portion is adjacent the first interior side surface and the second perforated portion is adjacent the second interior side surface, the third perforated portion is adjacent the third interior side surface and the dry ice retention space extends on a third peripheral side of the sample-holding portion.
The claim coverage centers on using a perforated retainer to partition an open-top interior chamber into a sample-holding portion and a dry ice retention space, while maintaining an equilibrium condition below ambient temperature. The system further requires that the architecture enables access to the interior floor surface of the sample-holding portion, and the perforations are configured to exhaust gas directly into the interior chamber.
Stated Advantages
Maintains the sample-holding portion at an equilibrium condition at a temperature below ambient temperature.
Allows access to the interior floor surface of the sample-holding portion while maintaining the equilibrium below ambient temperature.
Provides gas-permeable behavior through the perforated retainer to exhaust gas directly into the interior chamber.
Improves visibility and gas convection flow as described in the disclosure.
Documented Applications
Handling temperature-sensitive biological and other materials in ultra-cold ranges using the described cryogenic processing workstation.
Cryogenic processing and manipulation in a working area or low temperature zone defined within the sample-holding portion while allowing access to the interior floor surface.
Packaging and transfer station embodiments and modular chamber configurations for cryogenic processing.
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