Cryogenic storage system
Assignee21st Century Medicine, Inc.
InventorsBrian Wowk, Michael Iarocci
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Abstract
The present invention provides devices and methods for the cryogenic storage of biological material. Devices of the invention are useful for storing material at a cryogenic temperature. The devices include a temperature chamber defined by a thermally-conductive container and at least one layer of thermal insulation surrounding the thermally-conductive container. Some embodiments utilize one or more heat sources thermally connected to the thermally conductive container. Other embodiments are arranged so that no net flow of heat occurs from the temperature chamber when the temperature chamber is at a set target temperature. Also provided are methods of using the devices.
Claims32
A device for storing material at a cryogenic temperature, comprising:
- a) a temperature chamber defined by a thermally-conductive container;
- b) at least one layer of thermal insulation surrounding the thermally-conductive container;
- c) one or more heat sources thermally connected to the thermally-conductive container, and
- d) a cold source in thermal contact with (a), (b) and (c) such that heat flows from the temperature chamber to the cold source.
A method for storing biological material at a cryogenic temperature, comprising:
- placing biological material to be stored at a cryogenic temperature in a device comprising
- a) a temperature chamber defined by a thermally-conductive container;
- b) at least one layer of thermal insulation surrounding the thermally-conductive container;
- c) one or more heat sources thermally connected to die thermally-conductive container;
- and
- d) a cold source in thermal contact with (a), (b) and (c) such that heat flows from the temperature chamber to the cold source;
- and
- maintaining the temperature chamber at a cryogenic temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.