Abstract: Living cellular material may be preserved by incubating the cellular material in a culture medium containing at least one sugar, particularly for at least three hours, and then subjecting the cellular material to a preservation protocol, such as freezing, vitrification, freeze-drying and desiccation.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The method includes perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures, preferably after hypothermic organ flushing for organ transport and/or storage. The method can be practiced with prior or subsequent static or perfusion hypothermic exposure of the organ. Organ viability is restored by restoring high energy nucleotide (e.g., ATP) levels by perfusing the organ with a medical fluid, such as an oxygenated cross-linked hemoglobin-based bicarbonate medical fluid, at normothermic temperatures.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of the organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device.

Abstract: Preferred ice-controlling materials have been found to include 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,3-cyclohexanedione, 1,4-cyclohexanedione, 1,2-cyclohexandione, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, a mixture of 1,4-cyclohexanediol with one or more of 1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol, 1,3-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,3-cyclohexanedione, 1,4-cyclohexanedione, 1,2-cyclohexandione and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, charged derivatives of the ice-controlling materials that include one or more charged moieties therein, and polymers including one or more of the ice-controlling materials in the chain thereof. Use of these ice-controlling materials in methods of inhibiting growth of ice crystals, including both cryopreservation and industrial applications such as within gas pipelines, is advantageous.

Abstract: A two stage method of thawing cells from a cryopreserved state includes first warming the cells from a cryopreservation temperature to a transition temperature of at least −30° C. in a first, slow-warming stage by exposing the cells to an atmosphere having a temperature of less than 30° C., and once the cells have obtained the transition temperature, subsequently further warming the cells from the transition temperature by exposing the cells to a temperature of at least 32° C. in a second, rapid-warming stage. After the cells obtain the transition temperature in the first stage, the cells may be equilibrated at the transition temperature for a period of time prior to conducting the second stage warming. The method is particularly useful in warming cryopreserved cells attached to a fixed substrate. A thermal conduction device in association with the cryopreserved cells may also be used to further assist in the warming procedure.

Abstract: A method of cryopreserving cells includes bringing the cells into contact with a cryopreservation composition containing at least one cyclohexanediol compound, and subsequently reducing the temperature of the cells to a cryopreservation temperature. The at least one cyclohexanediol compound is preferably the cis or trans forms of 1,3-cyclohexanediol or 1,4-cyclohexanediol, and racemic mixtures thereof. A preferred cryopreservation composition includes the at least one cyclohexanediol compound and at least one additional cryoprotectant compound.

Abstract: A serum-free method of cryopreserving cells or tissues that includes bringing the cells or tissues into contact with a cryopreservation composition containing propanediol and a vehicle solution such as EuroCollins solution, and subsequently reducing the temperature of the cells to a cryopreservation temperature, for example of at least −80° C.

Abstract: A two stage method of thawing cells from a cryopreserved state includes first warming the cells from a cryopreservation temperature to a transition temperature of at least −30° C. in a first, slow-warming stage by exposing the cells to an atmosphere having a temperature of less than 30° C., and once the cells have obtained the transition temperature, subsequently further warming the cells from the transition temperature by exposing the cells to a temperature of at least 32° C. in a second, rapid-warming stage. After the cells obtain the transition temperature in the first stage, the cells may be equilibrated at the transition temperature for a period of time prior to conducting the second stage warming. The method is particularly useful in warming cryopreserved cells attached to a fixed substrate. A thermal conduction device in association with the cryopreserved cells may also be used to further assist in the warming procedure.

Abstract: A composition including polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glutathione (GSH), is used to treat vascular grafts prior to cryopreservation. The PEG and GSH containing composition is use to treat vascular tissue grafts prior to their cryopreservation to ameliorate the onset of intimal hyperplasia. The composition can also be used to treat vascular tissue grafts prior to cryopreservation by incorporation into solutions used for vascular tissue graft transport and/or in other vascular tissue graft processing steps.

Abstract: A method for vitrification of a blood vessel includes immersing the blood vessel in increasing concentrations of cryoprotectant solution at a temperature greater than −15° C. to a cryoprotectant concentration sufficient for vitrification; cooling the blood vessel at an average rate of from 30-60° C. per minute to a temperature between −80° C. and the glass transition temperature; and further cooling the blood vessel at an average rate less than 10° C. per minute to a temperature below the glass transition temperature to vitrify the blood vessel. After the vitrified blood vessel has been stored, the blood vessel may be removed from vitrification by warming the blood vessel at an average rate of from 20-40° C. per minute to a temperature between −80° C. and the glass transition temperature; further warming the blood vessel at a rate of from 200-300° C. per minute to a temperature above −15° C.; and reducing the concentration of the cryoprotectant.

Abstract: An antibiotic cocktail for sterilizing tissue comprising amphotericin B and fluconazole as antifungal agents and a plurality of antibacterial agents. The agents are present in amounts effective to substantially inhibit fungal and bacterial growth while substantially maintaining the viability of the tissue. Also, a method of sterilizing a tissue comprising contacting the tissue with the antibiotic cocktails of the invention at a temperature and for a period of time effective to substantially inhibit fungal and bacterial growth while substantially maintaining the viability of the tissue.

Abstract: A method of revitalizing cells or tissues that are to be cryopreserved for storage at ultracold temperatures, e.g. -196.degree. C. is disclosed which comprises preincubation of the cells or tissue from about 5 minutes to about 24 hours. The preincubation may be conducted at a temperature ranging from about 27.degree. C. to about 42.degree. C., after which the tissue or cells are cryopreserved.

Abstract: A method of revitalizing cells or tissues that are to be cryopresserved for storage at ultracold temperatures, e.g. -196.degree. C. is disclosed which comprises preincubation of the cells or tissue from about 5 minutes to about 24 hours. The preincubation may be conducted at a temperature ranging from about 27.degree. C. to 42.degree. C., after which the tissue or cells are cryopreserved.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a transplantable tissue which has been cryopreserved with an intracellular cryoprotectant and then thawed. After thawing, the tissue is treated with a diluent (or eluent) solution to reduce the level of cryoprotectant in the cells to a substantially non-toxic level. This is conducted using a single dilution step. Cryoprotectants which are removable in this manner include dimethylsulfoxide, glycerol, propanediol and other compounds which penetrate the cells.The dilution step does not require end point titration and can be conducted over a time period greater than about 5 minutes.

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant and DMSO is disclosed as a penetrating cyroprotectant.

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of styles insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The styles are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for cryopreserving musculoskeletal tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage, by placing such tissue in contact with a composition containing a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute, which is preferably dimethylsulfoxide, and a glycosaminoglycan, which is preferably chondroitin sulphate, in an amount sufficient to cryopreserve the musculoskeletal tissue. The addition of a glycosaminoglycan to a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solute permits a broad range of cooling rates to be employed, rather than the very narrow ranges which are employed using a cryopreserving agent comprising a cell-penetrating organic solvent without the glycosaminoglycan. Also disclosed are a freezing schedule designed to maximize retention of tissue cell viability and biomechanical properties during and after the freezing process, and a thawing schedule which maximizes cell viability.

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of maintaining viability of a cell, tissue or organ. The method involves maintaining the cell, tissue or organ in contact with a storage solution comprising transferrin and selenium at a subambient temperature in a non-frozen state. The invention further relates to a storage solution suitable for use in the above-described method. In one embodiment, the solution comprises insulin, transferrin, hydrocortisone, selenium and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid.