Insulator for preventing container damage and rupture caused by freezing of aqueous solutions containing biological materials

Inventors

DE BRITO ESTRELA, Rui • SILVESTRE DUARTE, Andreia Filipa • SENA REGO, Pedro Gil

Assignees

Smartfreez Ltda

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a system for freezing, transporting, storing and thawing aqueous solutions of biological materials, in particular those used in chemical and pharmaceutical processes. In particular, this disclosure relates to ice-crust attenuator devices to prevent ice-crust formation at the top of the solution. The ice-crust attenuator devices (10) have an internal cavity comprising a phase change material to improve thermal insulation. The ice-crust attenuator device may comprise an internal wall made of a moldable material configured to attain a good thermal contact between the ice-crust attenuator device and the outer surface of the container. In another embodiment, the ice-crust attenuator device is configured to be placed in a refrigerated cavity and in contact with the upper surface of a moldable container, to keep the top of the container under insulated conditions. The ice-crust attenuator device may be connected to a holder to accommodate the moldable container.

Core Innovation

An ice-crust attenuator/insulator device is provided for use when freezing or thawing an aqueous biological solution. The device reduces and/or prevents ice-crust formation on the liquid and air interface, where ice-crust formation otherwise causes cryoconcentration and container pressure increase that can lead to damage or rupture.

The device includes a plurality of separable portions, each portion comprising an external wall and an internal wall made from thermal insulating material. A phase change material is disposed in a cavity between the internal wall and the external wall, where the freezing temperature of the phase change material ranges from a temperature close to a freezing point of the aqueous biological solution to 10% above the freezing point.

At least a portion of the internal wall forms a recess configured for receiving a container top, and the internal wall further comprises a moldable thermal insulating material that can be molded to form an airtight seal over the container top. The plurality of separable portions comprise respective locking mechanisms adapted to join the portions to surround the container top.

Claims Coverage

The document provides one independent claim covering an ice-crust attenuator device, with dependent claims refining the structure and materials. The independent claim identifies a modular device architecture with separable insulated portions and phase change material configured to act on the liquid and air interface during freezing or thawing.

Overall claim coverage centers on a modular, insulating ice-crust attenuator architecture that positions a phase change material in a cavity between internal and external insulating walls, tuned to a freezing-temperature range relative to the aqueous biological solution, and configured via a container-top recess, moldable airtight sealing, and locking mechanisms to reduce and/or prevent ice-crust formation on the liquid and air interface.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications