Patents Assigned to Asymptote Ltd
  • Patent number: 12207650
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use in freezing at least part of a biological sample in a receptacle, e.g. a vial or a cryopreservation bag, the device comprising: a base; and a receptacle holder comprising: a first part configured to, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using a cooler device, withdraw heat energy from a first portion of the receptacle at a first heat withdrawal rate; and a second part configured such that, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using the cooler device, a second heat withdrawal rate of heat energy withdrawal from a second portion of the receptacle via the second part is less than the first heat withdrawal rate. A temperature gradient may be established in the sample to enable progressive solidification to occur in the sample. A receptable for use in freezing a biological sample, and a freezing method are disclosed also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Asymptote Ltd.
    Inventors: George Morris, Stephen Lamb, Peter Kilbride
  • Patent number: 11903383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the cryopreservation of biological samples involving a density assisted vitrification wherein a sample of biological material in a cryopreservation agent is cooled from its top surface, causing an ice layer to form thereon. As cooling continues the ice layer grows downwards through the sample to provide a cryoprotectant and biological material rich layer below the ice layer that undergoes vitrification as cooling continues to below the glass transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Asymptote Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Kilbride, George John Morris
  • Patent number: 11802730
    Abstract: A remote system for monitoring and controlling one or more devices for use in the cryogenic processing of a sample is provided. A remote server capable of transmitting freezing profile data to one or more freezers, transmitting transportation profile data to one or more transportation devices, and transmitting thawing profile data to one or more thawing devices. The remote server is also capable of receiving detected data from the one or more freezers relating to the freezing of a sample in accordance with the freezing profile data, receiving detected data from the one or more transportation devices relating to the transportation of a sample in accordance with the transportation profile data, and receiving detected data from the one or more thawing machines relating to the thawing of a sample in accordance with the thawing profile data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Asymptote Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Nancekievill, Rupert Rutledge
  • Patent number: 11774945
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Asymptote LTD.
    Inventors: George Morris, Peter Kilbride, Stuart Milne
  • Patent number: 11703275
    Abstract: A remote system for monitoring and controlling one or more devices for use in the cryogenic processing of a sample is provided. A remote server capable of transmitting freezing profile data to one or more freezers, transmitting transportation profile data to one or more transportation devices, and transmitting thawing profile data to one or more thawing devices. The remote server is also capable of receiving detected data from the one or more freezers relating to the freezing of a sample in accordance with the freezing profile data, receiving detected data from the one or more transportation devices relating to the transportation of a sample in accordance with the transportation profile data, and receiving detected data from the one or more thawing machines relating to the thawing of a sample in accordance with the thawing profile data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Asymptote Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Nancekievill, Rupert Rutledge
  • Patent number: 11576373
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for preventing the formation of ice crystals in a biological sample containing a non-Newtonian fluid as a cryopreservation medium. The apparatus may be used to prevent ice formation during cryopreservation of biological samples, or during warming of cryopreserved biological samples, by changing the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid. The apparatus (200) comprises a housing (202) for a container (212) containing the biological sample (214) and the non-Newtonian fluid, and a device (204) for inducing a change in viscosity of the cryopreservation medium. The change in viscosity may be increased by inducing shear thickening of the cryopreservation medium, or the change in viscosity may be decreased by inducing shear thinning of the cryopreservation medium. Possible viscosity-changing devices comprise a tapping device, a piston, a rotating device, a compression device, a sound generating device, a permanent magnet or a electromagnetic field generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Asymptote Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter James Kilbride, Stephen Lamb, George John Morris
  • Patent number: 11576372
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Asymptote Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Creasey, Stephen Lamb, Stuart Milne, George John Morris
  • Patent number: 10834917
    Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present technique provide apparatus for controlling ice formation, such as during the processes of cryopreservation and freeze drying. In particular, the apparatus provides a mechanism to deliver an ice nucleating material into a biological sample that is to be preserved, without allowing the ice nucleating agent to contact or contaminate the biological matter within the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Asymptote Ltd.
    Inventors: George John Morris, Stephan James Lamb
  • Patent number: 10015958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for freezing a water-containing quantity of a biological entity or a formulation in a vessel using a mineral nucleator, to the use of the mineral as a nucleator and to a vessel with the mineral in or on the whole or part of a surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: University of Leeds, Asymptote Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin John Murray, Thomas Francis Whale, James Atkinson, George John Morris