Method and apparatus for storing biological matter
OwnerThomas L. Mortenseninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The supply of cryogenic fluid used for controlled storage environment of biological materials is monitored so as to insure an adequate level. The monitoring is effected by employing a beam balance mechanism. Counterweights associated with the beam balance are adjusted for providing a balance arm transition around a horizontal axis when the total weight of the container including the biological materials and the cryogenic refrigerant has dropped below a predetermined threshold. A sensing switch associated with the arm of the beam balance actuates an alarm circuit when the weight threshold has been passed.
Claims10
In apparatus for sensing weight loss of a cryogenic fluid employed as a coolant in a biological storage container wherein there is provided a balance assembly including a fixed frame, a balance beam pivotally mounted on said fixed frame and movable between a first location on one side of a reference plane and a second location on an opposite side of said reference plane, the combination therewith of:
- means including a receiving platform responsive to the weight of the container and its contents to urge said beam into said first location when the weight of the container and its contents is at or above a predetermined level and counterweight means for urging said beam into said second location in response to a predetermined weight loss of the container and its contents such that the total weight is reduced below the predetermined level,
- an electric alarm circuit which is connectable to an electric power source, including terminal means for electrically connecting a remote alarm into said alarm circuit and alarm monitoring means for monitoring effective electrical connection of a remote alarm into said alarm circuit, and
- sensing means in said alarm circuit responsive to movement of said beam to said second location indicating a weight reduction of the container and its contents below the predetermined level for energizing said alarm circuit.
The method of indicating that the amount of cryogenic liquid coolant in a container for storing biological material is below a predetermined level using a balance beam scale which has a platform and a beam arm with adjustable poise counterweights and indicia translating the position of said poise counterweights on said beam arm into weight designation wherein said beam arm is movable between at least two vertically displaced positions as a result of weight change on the platform, comprising the steps of:
- placing the container with its contents on said platform of the balance beam scale,
- adjusting said poise counterweights of the balance beam scale to a point representing a weight equivalent to the weight of the container and its contents less the weight of an acceptable amount of lost cryogenic liquid coolant,
- detecting a predetermined amount of loss of liquid coolant by detecting a corresponding transition of the balance beam arm between the vertically displaced positions, and
- enabling an alarm system in response to the vertical transition detection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.