Abstract: A protective interface cushion device includes an upper half, a lower half, a cutout, a recessed surface, and an exclusion region. The upper half has a first interior surface and a first outer surface. The lower half has a second interior surface and a second outer surface. The first and second interior surfaces are configured to receive a cryostorage bag. The cutout forms an opening through at least one of the first interior surface, the first outer surface, the second interior surface, and the second outer surface. The cutout is configured to restrict a first cryostorage bag fill volume. The recessed surface, on the first and/or second interior surfaces, is configured to restrict a second cryostorage bag fill volume. The exclusion region, between the first interior surface and the second interior surface, is configured to displace liquid contents of the cryostorage bag into the first and/or second fill volume.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for shaping a liquid material within a cryostorage bag while undergoing a freezing procedure.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device to protect cryogenically frozen biological material includes an outer sleeve and a foam sleeve. The outer sleeve defines an interior volume and has an opening configured to pass a biological material container into the interior volume. The foam sleeve is in the interior volume and has an opening and an interior cavity. The opening of the foam sleeve is aligned with the opening of the outer sleeve to pass the biological material container into the interior cavity. In another embodiment, the shock absorbing device includes a first layer, a foam layer, and a liner layer to retain the foam layer. A first side of the foam layer is adjacent and facing a second side of the first layer. A first side of the liner layer is adjacent and facing a second side of the foam layer.

Abstract: Cryogenic devices are provided in which solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used to maintain a temperature zone in which samples can be manipulated under conditions in which the sample is maintained at a temperature below ?50° C.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to thawing a cryogenically frozen sample. The systems, devices, and methods may be used to heat a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a sample container holding the frozen sample. A sample thaw start time may be identified by measuring a temperature of the sample container and/or a temperature of the sample. A sample thaw end time may be calculated as a function of the sample thaw start time. In some embodiments, the same thaw start time may be identified by a significant change in a first derivative of a warming curve of recorded temperature measurements. The sample end time may be calculated by adding a constant to the sample thaw start time. The constant may be the average sample thaw time per the sample container.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to sample thawing. Features described herein may limit power requirements of the thawing device and may thereby increase the portability of the thawing device. The device may include a housing; a heater block housed within the housing and forming a vial receptacle; a thermally-conductive compliant material may line an inner surface of the receptacle; and a heating element may be coupled with the heater block. The thermally-conductive compliant material may be molded to a shape of a bottom portion of the vial so as to fittingly mate with the bottom portion of the vial. In some embodiments, the heater block does not have moveable components and may be a single non-segmented piece. An ejection pin may be provided configured to break contact between the vial and the thermally-conductive compliant material. Additionally, the receptacle may be localized to the vial region adjacent to the frozen sample.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to thawing a cryogenically frozen sample. The systems, devices, and methods may be used to heat a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a sample container holding the frozen sample. A sample thaw start time may be identified by measuring a temperature of the sample container and/or a temperature of the sample. A sample thaw end time may be calculated as a function of the sample thaw start time. In some embodiments, the same thaw start time may be identified by a significant change in a first derivative of a warming curve of recorded temperature measurements. The sample end time may be calculated by adding a constant to the sample thaw start time. The constant may be the average sample thaw time per the sample container.

Abstract: Cryogenic devices are provided in which liquid nitrogen is used to maintain ultra-low temperatures in which samples can be manipulated.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses for cryopreserving cells which include a vessel comprising a biocompatible substrate, wherein the vessel further comprises an interior and an exterior, and a mechanical ice nucleating device disposed in or on the vessel interior for initiating ice crystal formation. Also provided are kits comprising one or more apparatuses for cryopreserving cells and a biopreservation medium. Further provided are compositions comprising a vessel for holding cells, a mechanical ice nucleating device, a biopreservation medium, and cells disposed in the vessel. The apparatuses, kits, and compositions of the invention can optionally include an insulating material which is disposed on all or a portion of the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for hypothermic collection of whole blood, and components thereof, which can extend the holding time of blood beyond the current useable limit. Additionally, blood can be drawn directly into a hypothermic preservation solution without the addition of standard anticoagulants. This is enabled by providing sustained cellular viability under hypothermic conditions using a nutrient matrix devoid of animal proteins and containing energy substrates, free-radical scavengers, and impermeants that is ionically balanced for storage of biologic materials at low temperatures to prevent cellular stress-induced apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and proteogenomic methods for predicting the success of the transplant of a cell, tissue, or organ by providing a means to determine the quality of the cell, tissue, or organ to be transplanted. In one embodiment, the present invention uses samples from the preservation solution to obtain phenomic fingerprints correlated with transplant pre-operative and post-operative data as a pre-operative tissue diagnostic and procedural success predictive indicator.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the hypothermic preservation of cells, tissues and organs. In particular, the invention provides methods for the hypothermic preservation or storage of cells, tissues or organs in the vitreous state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for assessing the success of the transplant of a cell, tissue, or organ before and after transplant. Protein array technology is used to obtain a biomarker pattern for the cell, tissue, or organ that is being considered for transplant or that has been transplanted. Samples for the identification of biomarkers and biomarker patterns are obtained from the cell, tissue or organ itself, or from a body fluid of the donor or recipient. Sample biomarker data are compared to reference biomarker data obtained from donors, recipients or cells, tissues or organs that have been transplanted. Correlation of a sample biomarker pattern with the reference biomarker pattern, where transplant outcome for the samples used for the reference biomarkers is known, permits a suggested treatment determination. A computerized system to identify the condition of transplant before or after implantation is also provided.

Abstract: Gel-based medium compositions and a method of use thereof in normothermic, hypothermic or cryopreservative storage and transport of cell samples are described. These gel-based compositions contain a cell maintenance and preservation medium together with a gelling agent. Such gel-based medium compositions protect various cell samples, such as animal or plant organs, tissues and cells, from the mechanical, physiological and biochemical stresses inherently associated with liquid preservation techniques.

Abstract: Gel-based medium compositions and a method of use thereof in normothermic, hypothermic or cryopreservative storage and transport of cell samples are described. These gel-based compositions contain a cell maintenance and preservation medium together with a gelling agent. Such gel-based medium compositions protect various cell samples, such as animal or plant organs, tissues and cells, from the mechanical, physiological and biochemical stresses inherently associated with liquid preservation techniques.

Abstract: A high yield, low cost process for the preparation of essentially calcium-free lactobionic acid from calcium lactobionate is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a series of ion-exchange resins are used to convert a solution of the relatively inexpensive calcium lactobionate to its acid form. Accordingly, a pure lactobionic acid solution with negligible amounts of impurities may be obtained. The lactobionic acid solution is subjected to crystallization via rotary evaporation with heating, followed by vacuum drying without heat. This process can be used to generate higher product yields than conventional production and crystallization methods. At higher concentrations of lactobionic acid, however, the solution behaves differently, forming a glass-like structure that retains a substantial amount of water.

Abstract: Gel-based medium compositions and a method of use thereof in normothermic, hypothermic or cryopreservative storage and transport of cell samples are described. These gel-based compositions contain a cell maintenance and preservation medium together with a gelling agent. Such gel-based medium compositions protect various cell samples, such as animal or plant organs, tissues and cells, from the mechanical, physiological and biochemical stresses inherently associated with liquid preservation techniques.