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Publication Number
US-11938486-B2
Publication Date
2024-03-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A consistent and repeatable thawing method of frozen samples in a bag-format storage vessel is described herein. Methods and systems may allow for multiple bag-format storage vessel sizes to be used in the same device. A subset of a plurality of sensors may be qualified for the thawing method. The method may further include heating a frozen sample using a first heater bank and a second heater bank. In addition, the method may include measuring a plurality of second temperatures of the bag-format vessel. At or slightly after a second threshold temperature, the method may include heating using the first heater bank and terminating heating using the second heater bank. The method may include terminating the heating of the partially thawed sample using the first heater bank after the partially thawed sample has been heated using the first heater bank for a duration.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to thawing a frozen sample in a bag-format vessel using a thawing device that measures a plurality of temperatures at different locations on the bag-format vessel. A plurality of first temperatures are measured by a plurality of sensors, and each sensor measures temperature at a different location of the bag-format vessel. The method compares each first temperature to a first threshold and determines a subset of the plurality of sensors based on sensors measuring first temperatures below the first threshold.
After selecting the subset of sensors, the method heats the frozen sample using a first heater bank and concurrently using a second heater bank. A plurality of second temperatures of the bag-format vessel are measured using the subset of sensors. Upon a second temperature exceeding a second threshold indicating a partially thawed sample in the bag-format vessel, the method heats the partially thawed sample using the first heater bank and terminates heating of the partially thawed sample using the second heater bank.
Heating of the partially thawed sample using the first heater bank is then terminated after the partially thawed sample has been heated using the first heater bank for a duration. The disclosed system supports a thawing process that qualifies sensor behavior using the first-threshold comparison and executes staged heater-bank control based on temperature thresholds, including sensor-based indication of partial thaw and subsequent termination logic based on time and optionally additional qualifications using third temperatures and/or deviation from a reference temperature profile.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims content identifies one independent claim directed to a staged heater-bank thawing method with sensor qualification. The inventive features below capture the main elements required by that independent claim.
Temperature measurement across bag-contact surfaces
Measuring a plurality of first temperatures of the bag-format vessel in contact with a first surface and a second surface, wherein each first temperature is measured by a different sensor of a plurality of sensors configured to measure temperature at a different location of the bag-format vessel.
Sensor subset determination using a first threshold
Comparing each first temperature of the plurality of first temperatures to a first threshold and determining a subset of the plurality of sensors using the comparison, wherein each sensor of the subset measured a first temperature below the first threshold.
Concurrent heating using two heater banks
Heating the frozen sample using a first heater bank and concurrently heating the frozen sample using a second heater bank.
Partial-thaw detection using second temperature threshold from subset
Measuring a plurality of second temperatures of the bag-format vessel using the subset of the plurality of sensors, and upon a second temperature exceeding a second threshold indicating that a partially thawed sample is in the bag-format vessel.
Staged heater-bank control after partial thaw
Heating the partially thawed sample using the first heater bank and terminating heating of the partially thawed sample using the second heater bank.
Termination of first heater-bank heating after a duration
Terminating the heating of the partially thawed sample using the first heater bank after the partially thawed sample has been heated using the first heater bank for a duration.
The independent claim focuses on qualifying sensors by a first-threshold comparison, using the qualified subset to detect partial thaw via a second-temperature threshold, and performing staged heater-bank control where heating is switched off on the second heater bank at partial thaw and then switched off on the first heater bank after a duration.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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