Hand held device for automatically removing and replacing screw-on caps for cryogenic tubes, cryogenic vials and microtubes

A handheld device for removing or replacing a screw-on cap on a cryogenic tube or cryogenic vial, the handheld device comprising:

• a drive motor;
• a control switch electrically connected to the drive motor, wherein the control switch comprises a directional control switch;
• a rod having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a gear assembly mechanically linking the proximal end of the rod to the drive motor;
• a housing unit configured to be grasped by a human hand during operation of the handheld device, the housing unit being configured to house the drive motor, the gear assembly, the proximal end of the rod and the control switch, the housing unit further having a hole through which the distal end of the rod extends;
• a rubber or rubber-like septum attached to the distal end of the rod that is extended through the hole in the housing unit, the septum being configured and shaped to form a friction-grip seal on the screw-cap of the cryogenic tube or cryogenic vial when the septum is pushed onto the screw-cap or the screw-cap is pushed into the septum;
• and
• a battery compartment, connected to the housing unit with a solid connector, the battery compartment comprising an inner cavity adapted to hold a battery and a pair of electrical contacts, the pair of electrical contacts being configured to make contact with the battery and to establish an electrical connection between the battery, the control switch and the drive motor,
• wherein the connector permits the battery compartment to rest across the top of the human hand and in the contour between a thumb and a forefinger of the hand;
• wherein (1) activation of the control switch energizes the electrical connection between the battery, the directional control switch and the drive motor, and (2) energizing the electrical connection causes the drive motor and the gear assembly to start rotating the rod and the septum, and the rotation of the rod and the septum tightens or loosens the screw-cap on the cryotube or cryovial,
• and wherein the gear assembly comprises three or more toothed gears, which comprise a first toothed gear and a second toothed gear, wherein the first toothed gear and the second toothed gear have different sizes.