Systems and methods for use in freezing or thawing biopharmaceutical materials

Abstract

A system for use in freezing or thawing a biopharmaceutical material includes a container means and a support member. The container means has a receiving cavity receiving the biopharmaceutical material therein. The support member is connected to and supported by the container means. A transmitter is configured to propagate an ultrasonic pulse into the biopharmaceutical material and is located in a support member cavity of the support member. An ultrasonic sensor is configured to sense a reflection of the pulse in the biopharmaceutical material and is located in the support member cavity. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a phase change of the biopharmaceutical material based on the propagation of the pulse by the transmitter and the sense of the reflection by the sensor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.