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Publication Number
US-12048304-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present technology relates to apparatuses and methods for preserving biological material, for example cryopreserved biological material, such as cells, tissues, and organs for storage and/or transport. Apparatuses and methods of the present technology preserve biological material at a target temperature within a range of 8° C. to −40° C. for extended periods of time, for example at least 4 hours. The target temperature and extended period of time may be achieved with the use of cold sources such as phase change materials (PCMs) in combination with insulation materials, such as vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) and/or aerogels.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a passive biological material transport/storage apparatus for maintaining cryopreserved samples at a target temperature between 0 C and 240 C for a target duration of at least 4 hours. The apparatus includes an outer housing with a lid movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration relative to a lower housing portion defining a first cavity, and an insulation assembly positioned within the first cavity to thermally condition the interior of the apparatus.
The insulation assembly includes a base insulation panel, a cylindrical insulation sidewall panel, and an insulation lid defining a second cavity. A cold source assembly is positioned within the second cavity, and the cold source assembly comprises a plurality of panels with phase change material, including a plurality of curved sidewall panels interconnectable to form a closed boundary that defines a third cavity with radial sides of a hollow cylinder.
A container is positioned within the third cavity and is removable when the lid is moved to the open configuration. The container is configured to contain biological material to be maintained at a temperature between 0 C and 240 C for at least 4 hours, and the container includes cryoprotectant configured to prevent freezing damage to the biological material at the target temperature for the target duration. The disclosure also includes optional monitoring using sensors and a magnetic coupling to connect wiring.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set is directed to a passive apparatus with a removable container, where the inventive coverage is concentrated in a cold source assembly formed by interconnectable PCM panels that define a third cavity, an insulation assembly that defines a second cavity, and the requirement to maintain biological material at 0 C to 240 C for at least 4 hours.
Insulated outer housing with removable container
An outer housing comprising a lid and a lower housing portion, the lower housing defining a first cavity and the lid movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, with a container positioned within a cold-source cavity and removable when the lid is moved to the open configuration.
Insulation assembly defining a secondary cavity
An insulation assembly positioned within the first cavity, the insulation assembly comprising a base insulation panel, a cylindrical insulation sidewall panel, and an insulation lid defining a second cavity.
Cold source assembly with interconnectable PCM curved panels
A cold source assembly positioned within the second cavity, comprising a plurality of panels including a plurality of curved sidewall panels interconnectable to form a closed boundary, wherein the closed boundary defines a third cavity and the curved sidewall panels define radial sides of a hollow cylinder of the third cavity.
Phase change material temperature maintenance for at least 4 hours
Each panel comprises a phase change material having a property to maintain an object at a target temperature between 0 C to 240 C for a target duration of at least 4 hours.
Biological material container configured for freezing-damage prevention
A container positioned within the third cavity and configured to contain biological material to be maintained at a temperature between 0 C to 240 C for a target duration of at least 4 hours, with the cryoprotectant configured to prevent freezing damage to the biological material at the target temperature for the target duration.
Across the independent claim, the apparatus coverage is centered on combining an insulation assembly and an interconnectable PCM cold source assembly that defines a cavity for a removable container, together with maintaining biological material in the stated temperature range for at least 4 hours and configuring a cryoprotectant to prevent freezing damage at the target conditions.
Stated Advantages
Maintains biological material at a target temperature between 0 C and 240 C for at least 4 hours.
Prevents freezing damage to biological material at the target temperature for the target duration using a cryoprotectant.
Documented Applications
Preserving biological materials for biological material maintained in an apparatus using cryoprotectants, including reported preservation performance such as murine heart graft viability after storage at 225 C with cryoprotectants and cell survival after multi-day storage at about 216 C.
Heterotopic heart transplantation using murine heart preservation results.
Preservation performance assessment using an alamarBlue assay.
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