Incubation and/or storage container system and method

A container assembly comprising:

• (i) a vessel for containing a biological medium as well as gametes and/or one or more embryo(s), the vessel having a CO2 permeable wall which confines the biological medium, gametes and/or embryo(s) inside the vessel;
• said vessel wall including a CO2 permeable wall;
• (ii) a closure device for selective access to the interior of the vessel, and (iii) a buffer gas chamber for containing a CO2 enriched atmosphere and including a shell cooperable with said vessel, the buffer gas chamber being disposed around the vessel and the CO2 enriched atmosphere being in communication with the CO2 permeable wall, wherein the shell is mounted relative to the vessel for movement between an open position for communication with an external CO2 enriched environment and a closed position for closing off communication between the buffer chamber and the external CO2 environment.

A container assembly comprising (i) a vessel for containing a biological medium as well as gametes and/or one or more embryo(s), the vessel having a CO2 permeable wall which confines the biological medium, gametes and/or embryo(s) inside the vessel, said vessel wall including a CO2 permeable wall;

• (ii) a closure device for selective access to the interior of the vessel, and (iii) a buffer gas chamber for containing a CO2 enriched atmosphere and including a shell cooperable with said vessel, the buffer gas chamber being disposed around the vessel so that the CO2 enriched atmosphere is in communication with the CO2 permeable wall, wherein the vessel comprises a main chamber and a microchamber for communication of the biological medium, gametes and/or one or more embryo(s) therebetween, the microchamber and at least part of the main chamber being surrounded by the buffer chamber and the CO2 permeable wall including a wall portion defining the microchamber.

A container assembly comprising (i) a vessel for containing a biological medium, gametes and/or one or more embryo(s), the vessel having a wall which confines the biological medium, gametes and/or embryo(s) inside the vessel, (ii) a closure device for selective access to the interior of the vessel, said vessel wall including a CO2 permeable wall;

• and (iii) a buffer gas chamber for containing a CO2 enriched atmosphere and including a shell cooperable with said vessel, the buffer gas chamber being disposed around the vessel and the CO2 enriched atmosphere being retained inside the buffer gas chamber, the buffer gas chamber being in communication with the CO2 permeable wall for CO2 equilibration in the vessel after the container assembly is out of communication with a CO2 enriched environment, wherein the wall vessel is made of a plastic material which confines liquid contents of the vessel while the CO2 permeable wall allows ingress of CO2 enriched atmosphere from the buffer chamber.

An intravaginal fertilization and/or culture container assembly, the intravaginal fertilization and/or culture container assembly being configured for intravaginal accommodation and comprising:

• (i) a vessel for containing a biological medium, as well as gametes and/or one or more embryo(s), the vessel having a CO2 permeable wall, (ii) a closure device for selective access to the interior of the vessel, and (iii) a buffer chamber for containing a CO2 enriched atmosphere and disposed around the vessel, the shell being cooperable with the vessel, the CO2 enriched atmosphere inside the buffer gas chamber being in communication with the CO2 permeable wall for CO2 equilibration in the vessel after removal of the container assembly from a CO2 enriched environment, wherein a CO2 permeable seal is operatively disposed between the vessel and the buffer gas chamber shell for impeding the ingress of liquids into the buffer gas chamber while allowing the entry of the CO2 enriched gas.

A container assembly comprising (i) a vessel for containing a biological medium as well as gametes and/or one or more embryo(s), the vessel having a wall which confines the biological medium, gametes and/or embryo(s) inside the vessel, said vessel wall including a CO2 permeable wall;

• (ii) a closure device for selective access to the interior of the vessel, and (iii) a buffer gas chamber for containing a CO2 enriched atmosphere and including a shell cooperable with said vessel, the CO2 enriched atmosphere inside the buffer gas chamber being in communication with the CO2 permeable wall for supplying CO2 enriched atmosphere to the contents of the vessel, further comprising a CO2 permeable seal disposed between the vessel and the buffer gas chamber shell so as to impede ingress of liquids into the buffer gas chamber while allowing entry of CO2 enriched atmosphere.