Apparatus to preserve and identify biological samples at cryogenic conditions

An apparatus to handle biological materials under cryogenic conditions, the apparatus comprising:

• a first bulk carrier to carry a first number of vials;
• and
• a holding container having a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall, the bottom comprising a bottom wall having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface, the at least one side wall having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface, the inner facing surface of the bottom and the inner facing surface of the at least one side wall delineating an interior compartment of the holding container having an interior compartment profile, the holding container having an opening at the top thereof, the interior compartment profile of the holding container sized to removably receive at least the first bulk carrier in the interior compartment of the holding container,
• wherein the first bulk carrier comprises:
• a first bulk carrier container having a top, a bottom and at least one side wall, the bottom having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface, the at least one side wall having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface, the inner facing surface of the bottom and the inner facing surface of the at least one side wall delineating an interior compartment of the first bulk carrier container having an interior compartment profile, the first bulk carrier container having an opening at the top thereof, and the bottom of the first bulk carrier container includes an array of a plurality of receptacles that extend upwardly from the inner facing surface, each of the receptacles having a dimension sized to receive a bottom portion of a respective vial therein;
• a first thermal shunt, the first thermal shunt comprising a substrate comprising a metal and having a first major face and a second major face, the second major face opposed from the first major face across a thickness of the substrate, the substrate having an array of a plurality of throughholes that extend through the thickness of the substrate, each of the throughholes of the substrate shaped and sized to receive at least a portion of a respective vial of the first number of vials therethrough, the substrate receivable in the interior compartment of the first bulk carrier container;
• and
• a first spacer receivable in the interior compartment of the first bulk carrier container, the first spacer having an array of a plurality of throughholes that extend therethrough, each of the throughholes of the first spacer shaped and sized to receive at least a portion of a respective vial of the first number of vials therethrough, and
• wherein, when the first spacer and the first thermal shunt are stacked in the interior compartment of the first bulk carrier container, each of the throughholes of the first spacer is axially aligned with a respective one of the throughholes of the first thermal shunt, and each of the throughholes of the first spacer and the first thermal shunt is axially aligned with a respective one of the receptacles.