Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the cryopreservation of biological samples. The system including a mixing device configured hold the biological sample and a cryoprotectant and mix the contents therein. The mixing device can include a basket that moves within mixing device to ensure efficient mixing of the cryoprotectant. The system further includes a cooling device to cool the sample and cryoprotectant. The method includes placing a biological sample within the basket, such that the container is subject to cooling by the cooling device. Subsequently, cryoprotectant is added while the cooling device cools the biological sample. During this process the basket is moved within the container.

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.

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: Containers (100) for cryopreserved biological samples (102) may include an insulated housing including a cavity (108) for containing at least one cryopreserved biological sample; and a sealed reservoir (106) at least partly surrounding the cavity, the sealed reservoir including liquified gas (120) such as liquified air, the gas being kept largely liquified by a heat transfer engine (112) such as a Stirling cryocooler. A valve (114) may be provided to function as both a pressure relief valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve may be coupled to a sensor (122) for sensing a volume of liquified gas within the sealed reservoir. The container may further include a heat exchanger (116) coupled to the heat engine and extending into the sealed reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device in the form of a bung for insulating a container interior from the ambient environment, the bung comprising: a plurality of insulating segments; and one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation. Disclosed is: a method of preparing a shipping system for retaining a cryopreserved sample, the method comprising: loading a cryopreserved sample into a container such as a vacuum flask; and fitting the bung to the container to insulate the container interior from the ambient environment, and a method of cooling a container, such as a vacuum flask, for retaining cryopreserved samples to a desired temperature, the method comprising: cooling the container interior by pouring a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen into the container; and emptying the cryogenic fluid from the container, once the cooling has at least partially taken place.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device in the form of a bung for insulating a container interior from the ambient environment, the bung comprising: a plurality of insulating segments; and one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation. Disclosed is: a method of preparing a shipping system for retaining a cryopreserved sample, the method comprising: loading a cryopreserved sample into a container such as a vacuum flask; and fitting the bung to the container to insulate the container interior from the ambient environment, and a method of cooling a container, such as a vacuum flask, for retaining cryopreserved samples to a desired temperature, the method comprising: cooling the container interior by pouring a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen into the container; and emptying the cryogenic fluid from the container, once the cooling has at least partially taken place.

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.

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: Disclosed are containers (100) for cryopreserved biological samples (102), which comprise an insulated housing comprising a cavity (108) for containing at least one cryopreserved biological sample; and a sealed reservoir (106) at least partly surrounding the cavity, the sealed reservoir comprising liquified gas (120) such as liqified air, the gas being kept largely liquified by means of a heat transfer engine (112) such as a Stirling cryocooler. A valve (114) may be provided to function as both a pressure relief valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve may be coupled to a sensor (122) for sensing a volume of liquified gas within the sealed reservoir. The container may further comprise a heat exchanger (116) coupled to the heat engine and extending into the sealed reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the analysis of the compliance to medical care standards of patient care data retrieved from a plurality of electronic medical records storage systems where the electronic medical records systems are not in direct communication with each other. The system and method is enabled through the use of a plurality of electronic interface appliance devices, each in communication with one of the plurality of electronic medical records systems and also in communication with a medical analytics engine and medical care standards data. The system and method configured so that the retrieval and analysis of patient care data may be performed on a real-time basis to allow a care provider to receive the compliance analysis results during an interaction with a patient.

Abstract: An electronic medical record system includes a first electronic medical record system to store a complete medical record for a patient. An electronic medical record appliance is connected to the first electronic medical record system. The electronic medical record appliance includes a medical information exchange consent policy module including instructions executed by a processor to supply to the patient a medical information exchange consent policy interface with selectable medical information exchange consent policy elements, receive selected medical information exchange consent policy elements from the patient, accept from a second electronic medical record system a medical record request for the patient, filter the complete medical record for the patient in accordance with the selected medical information exchange consent policy elements to form a consent filtered medical record and transfer the consent filtered medical record to the second electronic medical record system.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing patient consent and for customizing patient consent policies is disclosed. The computerized system and method comprises a medical information exchange consent policy module that further includes instructions executed by a processor to supply to a patient with a medical information exchange consent policy interface with selectable medical information exchange consent policy elements. An electronic medical record (EMR) appliance receives selected medical information exchange consent policy elements from the user, accepts from an electronic medical record system a medical record request for the patient, filters the complete medical record for the patient in accordance with the selected medical information exchange consent policy elements to form a consent-filtered medical record and transfers the consent-filtered medical record to the electronic medical record system.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for communicating a patient referral from a first patient care provider to a second patient care provider. Such an apparatus is also configured to communicate patient heath record data from first care provider's electronic health records system to a second care provider's electronic health records system in response to an electronic request from the second care provider.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the display of electronic medical records retrieved from a plurality of electronic medical records storage systems where the display is formatted in such a way as to present a consistent user interface to a user as that user interacts with one or more of the plurality of electronic medical records storage systems. The system and method configured so only store the retrieved records in a transitory manner such that a common electronic medical records database is not created for a time period longer than required to display and interact with the displayed data.

Abstract: The present invention is an system and method for communicating updated patient data from a first health care provider's electronic medical records system to a second health care provider's electronic medical records system. Such a system also is configured to present data in a standardized manner and communicate changes in such data to a health analytics engine in substantially real-time.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the analysis of electronic medical records retrieved from a plurality of electronic medical records storage systems where the electronic medical records systems are not in direct communication with each other. The system and method enabled through the use of a plurality of electronic interface appliance devices, each in communication with one of the plurality of electronic medical records systems and also in communication with a medical analytics engine. The system and method configured so that the retrieval and analysis of electronic medical records may be performed in a real-time basis to allow a care provider to receive the analysis data during an interaction with a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the batch or semi-batch freezing of a large volume of liquid and particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for the batch or semi-batch freezing of a large volume of aqueous solution. A method is provided comprising the steps of reducing the temperature of liquid product to a particular temperature below the melting point of said liquid product so as to provide an undercooled liquid product; nucleating ice within the undercooled liquid product at said particular temperature; and further reducing the temperature of said liquid product whilst agitating said liquid product. The liquid product is ideally cooled in a flexible container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of branched chain hydrocarbons from methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which process comprises contacting, in a reactor, methanol and/or dimethyl ether with a catalyst comprising indium halide.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for the production of acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof. The catalyst system comprises an iridium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide co-catalyst, optionally at least one of ruthenium, osmium, rhenium, zinc, gallium, tungsten, cadmium, mercury and indium and at least one non-hydrohalogenoic acid promoter. The non-hydrohalogenoic acid may be an oxoacid, a superacid and/or a heteropolyacid.

Abstract: A dissipator for percolating a mixture of flue gases and powdered lime through a body of water to remove SO.sub.2 from the flue gases includes an elongate tubular body having first and second ends. The first end of the tubular body has an inlet through which the flue gases and lime mixture is introduced into the dissipator. The second end of the tubular body is generally closed. There are a plurality of perforations in the wall of the tubular body through which the mixture of lime and flue gases can escape from the dissipator. A plurality of disrupters spaced longitudinally inside the elongate tubular body facilitate the mixing and reaction of the lime and the flue gases. Each disrupter comprises a plate with a plurality of baffles mounted on the upper thereof to facilitate the mixing of the flue gases and powdered lime mixture delivered into the dissipator.