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Publication Number
US-9441893-B2
Publication Date
2016-09-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
Described herein are devices and methods for thawing frozen biological products efficiently without harming the products.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an apparatus for thawing a frozen biological material using a vertical thawing vessel having an upper portion, a middle portion comprising an upper middle portion and a lower middle portion, and a lower portion. A biological material is disposed in an interior space of the vessel such that different vertical portions are thermally processed. The vessel is operatively associated with multiple thermal transfer devices arranged for transferring heat between the vessel and respective thermal transfer devices.
The apparatus includes a first, second, third, and fourth thermal transfer device respectively associated with the upper portion, the upper middle portion, the lower middle portion, and the lower portion of the vessel. Each thermal transfer device transfers heat between its associated portion of the vessel and the thermal transfer device. At least one controller independently controls thermal transfer by independently controlling the first through fourth thermal transfer devices.
The controller is adapted for controlling thermal transfer between each thermal transfer device and its associated vessel portion by independently controlling the first thermal transfer device with the upper portion, the second thermal transfer device with the upper middle portion, the third thermal transfer device with the lower middle portion, and the fourth thermal transfer device with the lower portion. The disclosed multi-temperature structure is aimed at thawing frozen biological materials while managing thermal conditions across vertical levels, and the vessel may include temperature monitoring at different levels and mixing-related internal components as further described in the claims.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim defining the core apparatus, with dependent claims adding specific features. The independent claim’s coverage centers on a vertically portioned thawing vessel and independently controlled thermal transfer devices for different vertical portions.
Vertically portioned thawing vessel for frozen biological material
A vessel having a biological material in an interior space, with an upper portion, a middle portion comprising an upper middle portion and a lower middle portion, and a lower portion extending around corresponding portions of the interior space.
Four thermal transfer devices respectively associated with vertical portions
A plurality of thermal transfer devices operatively associated with the vessel for transferring heat, including a first thermal transfer device associated with the upper portion, a second thermal transfer device associated with the upper middle portion, a third thermal transfer device associated with the lower middle portion, and a fourth thermal transfer device associated with the lower portion.
Independent control of thermal transfer devices by at least one controller
At least one controller operatively associated with the first, second, third, and fourth thermal transfer devices for controlling the first, second, third, and fourth thermal transfer devices independently from one another by controlling thermal transfer between each thermal transfer device and its associated vessel portion.
Overall, the claims cover an apparatus for thawing frozen biological material in a vessel vertically divided into upper, upper middle/lower middle, and lower portions, where a dedicated set of thermal transfer devices transfers heat to each portion and an at-least-one controller independently controls thermal transfer for each portion.
Stated Advantages
Reduces denaturation risk associated with thawing by independent control across vertical levels.
Can reduce energy usage (energy requirements reduction).
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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