Cryopreservation of Biological Cells and Tissues
AssigneeGenea Limited
InventorTomas Stojanov
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The method involves placing an oocyte cell in a cell holder (1), securing the cell holder in a treatment station, applying a treatment solution to the cell by washing the cell with the solution, and rapidly cooling the cell holder and cell to a predetermined cryopreservation temperature for cryopreservation of the cell. The cell is cooled at a high rate sufficient to permit vitrification of the cell and any surrounding treatment solution to occur. The cell is then maintained at or below a predetermined storage temperature for storage. The method allows multiple cells to be treated simultaneously each secured within a respective cell holder.
Claims26
A method for the cryopreservation of an organic cell, said method including the steps of:
- providing an organic cell for cryopreservation;
- holding the cell in a cell holder;
- securing the cell holder containing the cell at a treatment station;
- applying a first treatment solution to the cell;
- cooling said cell holder and cell to a predetermined cryopreservation temperature;
- and
- maintaining the cell at or below a storage temperature.
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A cell holder for use in the cryopreservation of an organic cell, said holder including a filtration arrangement to retain the cell whilst allowing fluid to pass through the filtration arrangement and from the holder.
An organic cell cryopreservation apparatus for use in the vitrification of an organic cell, said apparatus including:
- a cell holder having a filtration arrangement to retain the organic cell whilst allowing for fluid to pass from the cell holder;
- a securing arrangement for securing said cell holder in a predetermined orientation;
- a treatment station for washing said organic cell, said treatment station including:
- a temperature control arrangement;
- and
- a docking arrangement for engaging a corresponding docking arrangement on the securing arrangement thereby aligning said securing arrangement into a predetermined orientation with said station,
- wherein said apparatus further includes a cooling station for cooling said cells to a vitrification temperature;
- and
- wherein said cooling station includes a liquid nitrogen cooled block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.