Abstract: Successful cryopreservation by the vitrification method depends on high chilling speed. Practitioners of vitrification prefer to use liquid nitrogen as the chilling cryogen due to its inherent safety and low cost. Plunging vitrification cryocontainers in to a quiescent pool of liquid nitrogen invariably results in a chilling rate less than the theoretical potential. The shortfall is attributed to the well-known Leidenfrost effect. The purpose of this invention it to provide improve chilling rates during vitrification using liquid nitrogen. One feature of this invention is a contacting device that invokes convective heat transfer principles to increase chilling speed. In another feature of this invention, cryogen velocity is derived from a self-pressurized dewar containing a saturated cryogen. The self-pressurization is achieved by ambient heating of the dewar's contents.

Abstract: A closing device to create a seal in a cryocontainer for a biological specimen utilizes the temperature-induced phase transformation of shape memory materials to cause an actuator to toggle between a sealed and unsealed state. The temperature inducement occurs naturally within the normal temperature changes that occur during cryogenic vitrification of biological specimens.

Abstract: This invention is a storage device (cryocontainer) for the vitrification method of cryopreservation that uses shape memory materials to create a novel shape-shifting feature in which the relevant heat transfer zone of the cryocontainer can be thermally morphed between a shape conducive to biological specimen handling and to a shape conducive to rapid heat transfer. This feature utilizes the temperature induced phase transformation of shape memory materials. The temperature inducement occurs naturally within the normal temperature changes that occur during vitrification.

Abstract: A temperature alert device to warn of imminent devitrification due to warming of a biological specimen that uses shape memory materials. The temperature induced phase transformation of shape memory materials causes a temperature responsive actuator to extend an alert rod upon warming as the specimen temperature approaches the devitrification temperature (e.g. ?130° C.). The temperature alert device is automatically reset upon immersion in liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a shaft with a bending neck, an ultrasound device at a distal end of the bending neck, a working channel extending through the shaft with a tubular working channel made from superelastic material extending to an opening proximate the ultrasound device, and a biopsy needle located in the working channel. The needle is comprised of superelastic material and is extendible and retractable out the working channel opening in an imaging path of the ultrasound device.

Abstract: In a centrifuge for the separation of solids from liquid in which concentrated solids are discharged from radial nozzles at the periphery, there is provided an concentrated solids underflow discharge control apparatus which senses an increased concentration of solids in the underflow and adjusts the flow of the recycle stream as a result thereof to prevent solids from spilling over into the effluent overflow. A sensing chamber and a control module having a flow interference device is utilized to measure a set level backup. Any alteration of said level is detected by a level sensor which sends a signal to a level indicator control and in turn controls the opening and closing of a recycle line valve which controls underflow.