Method and package design for cryopreservation and storage of cultured tissue equivalents

An apparatus comprising:

• a tray having a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a flange;
• a carrier having a sidewall, a membrane attached to a lower end of the sidewall, and a rim at an upper end of the sidewall, the carrier resting in the tray so that the membrane is spaced above the bottom wall of the tray;
• a lid over the carrier;
• a biological material in the carrier and on the membrane;
• and
• a cryoprotectant solution in the tray and the carrier such that a vertical distance between the biological material to the lid is equal to a vertical distance from the biological material to the bottom wall of the tray.

An apparatus for holding biological material comprising:

• a tray having a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a flange;
• a carrier for holding the biological material and having a sidewall and a rim extending from the sidewall, the carrier supported in the tray;
• a lid having a peripheral portion for resting on the rim of the carrier;
• and
• a seal over the lid and sealed to the peripheral portion of the lid and the flange of the tray, but not in contact with the carrier.