Cryogenic storage and retrieval apparatus and cryogenic storage and retrieval method

A biospecimen storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising:

• a storage device forming a cryogenic environment therein configured to store a biospecimen, the biospecimen comprising a cryovial and a cryogenic shelf configured to hold the cryovial;
• an operating device detachably connected to the storage device, wherein the operating device is configured to receive a staging tank configured to hold the biospecimen, and the operating device completes storage and retrieval of the biospecimen in the storage device through the staging tank;
• and
• a sealing device configured to seal the storage device when the storage device is detached from the operating device;
• wherein the operating device comprises:
• a housing forming an operating chamber therein;
• a transferring tank configured to transfer the staging tank into the operating chamber;
• a tank opening mechanism provided in the operating chamber and configured to open the transferring tank and the staging tank;
• and
• a grabbing mechanism configured to grab the biospecimen and place the grabbed biospecimen into the opened transferring tank or the opened storage device;
• wherein the grabbing mechanism comprises:
• a biospecimen grabbing assembly configured to grab the biospecimen;
• and
• a grabbing moving assembly configured to drive the biospecimen grabbing assembly to move;
• wherein the grabbing moving assembly comprises:
• a Y-axis guide rail slidably connected to the biospecimen grabbing assembly and configured to guide the biospecimen grabbing assembly to slide along a Y-axis;
• a Y-axis fixing plate;
• and
• an X-axis module slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail through the Y-axis fixing plate and configured to guide the biospecimen grabbing assembly to slide along an X-axis;
• and
• wherein the biospecimen grabbing assembly comprises:
• a gripper structure configured to grasp the biospecimen, wherein the gripper structure comprises a gripping arm, a transmission component, and a gripper component, the transmission component is located at one end of the gripping arm, the transmission component is provided with an input end configured to receive a driving force, the transmission component is capable of converting a driving force received through the input end along an extension direction of the gripping arm into a driving force perpendicular to the extension direction of the gripping arm, the transmission component is further provided with an output end configured to output the converted driving force, the gripper component is provided on the output end, the gripper component comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, and a clamping space configured to grip the biospecimen is provided between the first jaw and the second jaw, the first jaw and the second jaw are capable of moving along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the gripping arm under a driving of the transmission component, and movement directions of the first jaw and the second clamping jaw are opposite;
• a drive motor;
• and
• a driving guide rail, wherein the gripper structure is driven by the drive motor to move along the drive guide rail to adjust positions of the gripper structure and the biospecimen in a Z-axis direction.

A biospecimen storage and retrieval apparatus, comprising:

• a storage device forming a cryogenic environment therein configured to store a biospecimen, the biospecimen comprising a cryovial and a cryogenic shelf configured to hold the cryovial;
• an operating device detachably connected to the storage device, wherein the operating device is configured to receive a staging tank configured to hold the biospecimen, and the operating device completes storage and retrieval of the biospecimen in the storage device through the staging tank;
• and
• a sealing device configured to seal the storage device when the storage device is detached from the operating device;
• wherein the operating device comprises:
• a housing forming an operating chamber therein;
• a transferring tank configured to transfer the staging tank into the operating chamber;
• a tank opening mechanism provided in the operating chamber and configured to open the transferring tank and the staging tank;
• and
• a grabbing mechanism configured to grab the biospecimen and place the grabbed biospecimen into the opened transferring tank or the opened storage device;
• wherein the tank opening mechanism comprises:
• a first tank opening assembly configured to open the transferring tank and the staging tank;
• and
• a tank opening moving assembly configured to drive the first tank opening assembly to move above the transferring tank and the staging tank;
• wherein the first tank opening assembly comprises a tank opening fixing seat, a telescopic electromagnet, a spring, and an electromagnet;
• wherein the tank opening fixing seat is provided on a driving end of the tank opening moving assembly;
• wherein the electromagnet is fixedly connected to the tank opening fixing seat;
• wherein the telescopic electromagnet is slidably connected to the tank opening moving assembly;
• and
• wherein the spring is provided between the telescopic electromagnet and the electromagnet.