Patents by Inventor Alex J. Fowler

Alex J. Fowler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Ultra rapid freezing for cell cryopreservation
    Patent number: 6403376
    Abstract: A method for preserving biological material includes the steps of placing the biological material in thermal contact with a cryogenically coolable environment, cooling the surrounding environment to a temperature below the glass phase transition temperature of the biological material, applying radiant energy to the biological material to melt at least a portion of the biological material, and rapidly stopping the application of radiant energy to the biological material to rapidly cool and varify the melted portion of the biological material. The method produces cooling rates so rapid that the biological material is vitrified without an opportunity for ice crystals to form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Alex J. Fowler
  • Ultra rapid freezing for cell cryopreservation
    Patent number: 6300130
    Abstract: A method for preserving biological material includes the steps of placing the biological material in thermal contact with a cryogenically coolable environment, applying radiant energy to the biological material to maintain the temperature of the biological material at physiological temperatures, cooling the surrounding environment to a temperature below the glass phase transition temperature of the biological material, and rapidly stopping the application of radiant energy to the biological material. The method produces cooling rates so rapid that the biological material is vitrified without an opportunity for ice crystals to form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation and University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Alex J. Fowler