Abstract: A sample heating/cooling device (2) comprises a plurality of members (6) operable in use to heat and/or cool one or more samples (22). Each member (6) has a sample contact surface and is biased towards a resting position under the operation of a biasing means. The members (6) are movable independently of one another against said bias under the application of a force on the sample contact surface and so are able to conform to the shape of a sample placed on the members to provide a uniform heating/cooling profile. The members (6) may be mounted in a heating/cooling element (4) and adapted to conduct thermal energy between the sample (22) and the element (4). The device (2) is particularly suitable for thawing frozen sample bags having an irregular shape. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining first data indicative of electric power supplied to a cooling apparatus during a cooling operation on a biological sample, the cooling operation having a given cooling condition; obtaining second data associated with a reference cooling condition; determining, based on the first data and the second data, whether the given cooling condition has a predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition; and in response to a determination, by the determining, that the given cooling condition has the predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition, outputting a control signal. The given cooling condition for the “live” data cooling operation may thus be validated against a reference cooling condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of thawing a sample comprised in a container, the method comprising the steps of: a) calculating an agitation program as a function of either or both of the sample volume and the type of the container, and the ice fraction in the sample, and optionally the thermal conductivity of the sample container; b) agitating said sample according to the program to agitate at least one region of the sample; and c) changing the agitation program applied to at least one region of the sample in response to changes in the sample volume and/or sample ice fraction. The invention further provides a method of reducing shearing to cells during a method of agitation, and methods for thawing a sample wherein a sample container is differentially heated. An apparatus for use in the methods is also provided, as is an apparatus for thawing and/or cooling a sample which comprises a resilient vessel wall.

Abstract: A sample heating/cooling device (2) comprises a plurality of members (6) operable in use to heat and/or cool one or more samples (22). Each member (6) has a sample contact surface and is biased towards a resting position under the operation of a biasing means. The members (6) are movable independently of one another against said bias under the application of a force on the sample contact surface and so are able to conform to the shape of a sample placed on the members to provide a uniform heating/cooling profile. The members (6) may be mounted in a heating/cooling element (4) and adapted to conduct thermal energy between the sample (22) and the element (4). The device (2) is particularly suitable for thawing frozen sample bags having an irregular shape. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: A sample heating/cooling device comprises a plurality of members operable in use to heat and/or cool one or more samples. Each member has a sample contact surface and is biased towards a resting position under the operation of a biasing means. The members are movable independently of one another against said bias under the application of a force on the sample contact surface and so are able to conform to the shape of a sample placed on the members to provide a uniform heating/cooling profile. The members may be mounted in a heating/cooling element and adapted to conduct thermal energy between the sample and the element. The device is particularly suitable for thawing frozen sample bags having an irregular shape. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: The driving configuration for a drug delivery device comprises an energy storing member (2) providing a force suitable for driving a bung (1) arranged in a container (3), the bung being movable relative to the container. The energy storing member (2) is loaded by an alteration of its mechanical state with respect to a mounting element (5), which is relocatable in such a manner that a force provided by the energy storing member when it is loaded is reduced by a relocation of the mounting element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining first data indicative of electric power supplied to a cooling apparatus during a cooling operation on a biological sample, the cooling operation having a given cooling condition; obtaining second data associated with a reference cooling condition; determining, based on the first data and the second data, whether the given cooling condition has a predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition; and in response to a determination, by the determining, that the given cooling condition has the predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition, outputting a control signal. The given cooling condition for the “live” data cooling operation may thus be validated against a reference cooling condition.

Abstract: The invention refers to a drug delivery device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament. The device comprises at least one clicker mechanism (52, 64; 143, 153) for generating a haptic and/or audible feedback during dose selecting, wherein the clicker mechanism (143, 153) generates a different feed-back when selecting single units or multiples of single units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

Abstract: The invention refers to a drug delivery device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament. The device comprises a housing (10), a cartridge (170) containing a medicament and a last dose protection mechanism for preventing the selection of a dose, which exceeds the amount of medicament left in a cartridge (170). This last dose protection mechanism comprises a first member (60), which is rotatable in a first direction during dose selecting and in the opposite direction during dose dispensing, a second member (50) coupled to the first member (60) and to the housing (10) such that the second member is moved relative to the first member (60) and to the housing (10) upon rotation of the first member (60) and a third member (100) which is moved relative to the first and second member (50, 60) during dose dispensing. Abutment of the second and third member (50, 100) prevents increasing the selected dose.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a delivery device is presented. The drive mechanism comprises a housing (24) and a piston rod (6) having a longitudinal axis (x) and a piston rod feature (17). The drive mechanism further comprises a drive member (1) being movable with respect to the housing (24). The drive member (1) comprises a drive feature (15). The drive feature (15) is selectively engageable with the piston rod feature (17) by the radial displacement of the drive member (1) with respect to the piston rod (6). When the drive member (1) is in the first position, the drive member (1) is disengaged from the piston rod (6), and when the drive member (1) is in the second position, the drive feature (15) is engaged with the piston rod feature (17). When the drive member (1) moves distally with respect to the housing (24), said distal movement is transferred to the piston rod (6) such that the piston rod (6) moves distally with respect to the housing (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a drug delivery device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament. The device comprises a dosing element (40, 30), which rotates in a first direction during dose selecting and rotates in a second, opposite direction during dose dispensing, and a display (60) for indicating the selected dose. The display (60) comprises at least one belt (61, 62) having symbols for indicating the selected dose and being coupled to the dosing element (40, 130) such that a rotation of the dosing element (40, 130) spools the belt (61, 62).

Abstract: A sample heating/cooling device comprises a plurality of members operable in use to heat and/or cool one or more samples. Each member has a sample contact surface and is biased towards a resting position under the operation of a biasing means. The members are movable independently of one another against said bias under the application of a force on the sample contact surface and so are able to conform to the shape of a sample placed on the members to provide a uniform heating/cooling profile. The members may be mounted in a heating/cooling element and adapted to conduct thermal energy between the sample and the element. The device is particularly suitable for thawing frozen sample bags having an irregular shape. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament includes a dose limiter for preventing the setting of a dose exceeding an amount of liquid left in a cartridge of the drug delivery device. The device includes a housing, a dose selector for selecting a dose by rotation relative to the housing, a dosing element, and a releasable clutch for rotationally coupling the dosing element to the dose selector during dose selecting and for rotationally decoupling the dosing element from the dose selector during dose dispensing. The clutch includes a male spline, a corresponding female spline and a curved or inclined surface which is orientated such that re-engagement of the clutch guides the male spline into a predefined rotational orientation with respect to the female spline.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament includes a dose limiter for preventing the setting of a dose, which exceeds the amount of liquid left in a cartridge of the drug delivery device. The device includes a cartridge containing liquid, a dosing element, which rotates during dose selecting, a last dose nut coupled to the dosing element during dose selecting such that rotation of the dosing element causes an axial movement of the last dose nut, and a stop element, which is provided on the dosing element and which blocks further movement of the last dose nut, if a dose is selected corresponding to the amount of liquid left in the cartridge. The device further includes a last dose sleeve rotationally coupled to the dosing element during dose selecting and rotationally decoupled from the dosing element during dose dispensing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of thawing a sample comprised in a container, the method comprising the steps of: a) calculating an agitation program as a function of either or both of the sample volume and the type of the container, and the ice fraction in the sample, and optionally the thermal conductivity of the sample container; b) agitating said sample according to the program to agitate at least one region of the sample; and c) changing the agitation program applied to at least one region of the sample in response to changes in the sample volume and/or sample ice fraction. The invention further provides a method of reducing shearing to cells during a method of agitation, and methods for thawing a sample wherein a sample container is differentially heated. An apparatus for use in the methods is also provided, as is an apparatus for thawing and/or cooling a sample which comprises a resilient vessel wall.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for selecting and dispensing a number of user variable doses of a medicament includes a housing, a cartridge holder for receiving a cartridge, a lead screw and means for driving the lead screw during dose dispensing. The lead screw is coupled to the cartridge holder such that the cartridge holder is axially displaced with respect to the housing and the lead screw during dose dispensing.