Method and device for monitoring a cryopreserved biological sample

A method for monitoring a cryopreserved biological sample, comprising the steps of:

• (A) providing the biological sample in a cryopreserved state in a sample container arranged in a storage area of a cryopreservation device, wherein the storage area is maintained at a cryopreservation temperature,
• (B) measuring at least one Raman spectroscopic sample characteristic on the biological sample in the cryopreserved state, wherein the step of measuring the at least one Raman spectroscopic sample characteristic is performed on the biological sample in the storage area of the cryopreservation device using a Raman spectroscopic measuring device, which comprises:
• (i) an illuminating device that illuminates the sample and the sample container, (ii) a detector device that detects light, which is scattered in an inelastic manner from the sample and the sample container, and (iii) light guide optics running from a position inside the storage area to the detector device outside the storage area, wherein signals for measuring the at least one Raman spectroscopic sample characteristic are transmitted optically through the light guide optics from the storage area to the detector device,
• (C) comparing the at least one sample characteristic with a reference characteristic, and
• (D) providing a state characteristic, which depends on the result of the comparing step (C) and is characteristic for a storage condition of the biological sample.