Shaping liquid material in a cryostorage bag to obtain desired solid shape
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Publication Number
US-12208060-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods for shaping a liquid material within a cryostorage bag while undergoing a freezing procedure.
Core Innovation
A system and method shape a liquid material within a cryostorage bag during a freezing procedure. The cryostorage bag has a sealed perimeter defining an interior region configured to receive a liquid material, and a pair of cushion elements sandwich the cryostorage bag, with an outer perimeter and a cut-out shape approximately matching an inner perimeter shape.
A pair of frame elements have an outer perimeter approximately matching the outer perimeter of the cushion elements and include a window having a desired shape. The position of the window approximately corresponds to the interior region when the cryostorage bag and cushion elements are sandwiched between the frame elements, and spacers fitted within the window with minimal tolerance restrict the liquid material to a region of the cryostorage bag.
Thermally conductive plates sandwich the vessel assembly and spacers during the freezing procedure. The resulting solid shape is defined by the cushion elements, the frame elements, the spacers, and the thermally conductive plates, and includes two opposing planar parallel surfaces. The document also describes a protective interface cushion device and an optional rigid, radio/visually-transparent protective shell configured to reduce impact/shock damage and improve handling/freezing/thaw compatibility for cryostorage bags.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: one directed to a system for shaping a liquid within a cryostorage bag during freezing, and one directed to a method for shaping the liquid within the cryostorage bag during freezing. Across the independent claims, the coverage is centered on cushion elements, frame elements with a shaped window, spacers with minimal tolerance fit, and opposing thermally conductive plates that sandwich the assembly to restrict the liquid and define a resulting solid shape.
Cryostorage bag shaping vessel assembly
A cryostorage bag with a sealed perimeter and an interior region configured to receive a liquid material; a pair of cushion elements that sandwich the cryostorage bag and provide cut-outs approximately matching an inner perimeter shape; a pair of frame elements with a window of a desired shape corresponding to the interior region; and spacers sized for minimal tolerance within the window to restrict the liquid material to a region defined by the cushion elements, the frame elements, and the spacers.
Opposing thermally conductive plates define solid shape
A pair of thermally conductive plates having planar inner surfaces that sandwich the vessel assembly and the pair of spacers during a freezing procedure, such that the freezing provides a solid shape defined by the cushion elements, the frame elements, the spacers, and the thermally conductive plates.
Method steps for shaping via window and plates
Positioning the cryostorage bag between a pair of cushion elements; positioning the cryostorage bag and cushion elements between a pair of frame elements; securing the cryostorage bag, cushion elements, and frame elements together to provide a vessel assembly; accessing and filling and sealing the interior region; trimming an excess portion; fitting spacers within a window of the frame elements in contact with the cryostorage bag; restricting the liquid material to a region defined by the cushion elements, frame elements, and spacers; sandwiching the vessel assembly and spacers within the window between two opposing thermally conductive plates; and freezing the liquid material to provide a solid shape defined by the cushion elements, frame elements, spacers, and thermally conductive plates.
Solid shape with planar parallel surfaces
The solid shape includes two opposing major planar and parallel surfaces.
Claim coverage centers on shaping a liquid material in a cryostorage bag during freezing by sandwiching the bag with cushion elements, using frame elements with a shaped window and spacers for minimal tolerance fit, and using opposing thermally conductive plates during freezing so that the restricted liquid forms a solid shape defined by the cushion elements, frame elements, spacers, and plates. Additional dependent coverage specifies that the solid shape includes two opposing major planar and parallel surfaces.
Stated Advantages
Reduces impact/shock damage and improves handling/freezing/thaw compatibility for cryostorage bags.
Improves interaction with thawing equipment by supporting heater blocks contacting known planar surfaces and reducing over-heating.
Documented Applications
Cryostorage of cryopreservation fluid in a cryostorage bag, including shaping during a freezing procedure and improving compatibility with freezing/thawing equipment.
Use in a cryostorage cold chain of custody context for cryostorage bags with protective interface cushion device and optional rigid, radio/visually-transparent protective shell.
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