Adapter for suspending a cryovial over a centrifuge tube
Inventors
Roederer, Mario • Beddall, Margaret H. • Chattopadhyay, Pratip K.
Assignees
US Department of Health and Human Services
Publication Number
US-9663812-B2
Publication Date
2017-05-30
Expiration Date
2035-03-18
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Abstract
A system is disclosed for thawing a frozen specimen that includes a cryovial containing a frozen specimen, a centrifuge tube containing a medium, and an adaptor for suspending the cryovial over the centrifuge tube in an inverted position, wherein the adaptor has an elongated tubular body defining opposed proximal and distal ends, and it has an axial bore extending from the distal end thereof to the proximal end thereof to define an outer periphery and an inner periphery, and wherein the outer periphery is dimensioned for insertion into the centrifuge tube and the inner periphery is dimensioned to receive the cryovial in an inverted position.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device and system that expedites and automates the thawing of viably frozen cells by supporting or suspending a cryovial containing a cryopreserved sample of viable cells over a centrifuge tube containing a cell culture medium. The adaptor has an elongated tubular body with a longitudinal axis, opposed proximal and distal ends, and an axial bore extending from the distal end to the proximal end which defines an outer and inner periphery. The proximal end includes an annular flange extending radially outwardly to cooperate with the centrifuge tube, and the distal end includes an annular lip extending radially inwardly to cooperate with the inverted cryovial.
The adaptor is dimensioned such that its outer diameter fits into the centrifuge tube opening and its inner diameter accepts the inverted cryovial. The axial bore is configured to receive either an externally or internally threaded cryovial with the annular lip providing an abutment surface accordingly. The adaptor is preferably formed from polymeric material, although formation from metal is also contemplated. The adaptor substantially reduces thawing labor and time by suspending cryovials over a centrifuge tube, allowing cells to be diluted instantly into growth medium during centrifugation.
The problem addressed is the labor-intensive and low-throughput conventional method of thawing cryopreserved specimens in a 37° C water bath, which limits processing to a few vials at a time, introduces subjective variability, risks contamination, and affects downstream assay quality. The invention overcomes these deficiencies by automating and standardizing thawing, enabling simultaneous processing of many samples by centrifugation, reducing variability, minimizing exposure to toxic cryopreservatives, and significantly increasing throughput and reproducibility.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims, each defining an adaptor with specific structural and functional features for suspending an inverted cryovial over a centrifuge tube.
Adaptor structure with annular flange and annular lip
The adaptor comprises an elongated tubular body with proximal and distal ends, having an axial bore. The proximal end includes an annular flange extending radially outwardly to abut the upper edge of the centrifuge tube, while the distal end includes an annular lip extending radially inwardly to abut the front end of an inverted cryovial received in the bore. The axial bore has a uniform inner diameter from the proximal end to the annular lip.
Material and dimensional configuration for secure fitting
The tubular body is formed from a polymeric material and has dimensions including an outer diameter configured for insertion into the centrifuge tube and an inner diameter configured to receive the inverted cryovial. Specific dimensional values are recited, including outer diameters of about 0.757 inches at the proximal end and about 0.565 inches at the distal end, and inner diameters of about 0.500 inches at the proximal end and about 0.410 inches at the distal end.
Axial length and continuous inner diameter of the axial bore
The tubular body has an overall axial length of about 0.800 inches and an axial length measured from below the flange of about 0.750 inches. The axial bore maintains a constant inner diameter from the proximal end to the annular lip at the distal end for accommodating the cryovial.
The independent claims define an adaptor having a tubular body with specific structural features including an annular flange and lip designed to suspend an inverted cryovial securely over a centrifuge tube, with precise material and dimensional specifications facilitating secure insertion and abutment, thereby enabling expedited thawing of frozen specimens.
Stated Advantages
Reduces labor time for thawing from several minutes to a few seconds, enabling one person to load hundreds of samples quickly.
Ensures highest cell viability and recovery by minimizing time cells spend in toxic cryopreservative and diluting cells instantly into growth medium.
Dramatically increases throughput and eliminates multiple labor-intensive steps, minimizing variability in viability and yield.
Automates and standardizes thawing, reducing variability due to subjective techniques and batch processing.
Avoids need for a 37° C water bath, decreasing contamination risk and improving reproducibility.
Documented Applications
Thawing cryopreserved eukaryotic cell specimens in laboratory environments for biological research.
High-throughput processing of up to 48 cryovials simultaneously by centrifugation to improve efficiency in clinical, clinical research, and research settings.
Improving viability and recovery of cryopreserved cells used in immunoassays and bioassays by minimizing exposure to cryopreservatives during thawing.
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