Patent US4759670A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4531373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Directional solidification for the controlled freezing of biomaterials
Assignee: University of California Berkeley
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Filing: 1984-10-24
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Granted: 1985-07-30
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Expires: 2004-10-24
Abstract
Abstract Controlled freezing of a material (12) is accomplished by positioning an aliquot of the material (12) upon one surface (26) of a longitudinally extending substrate (14). First (30) and second (36) bases are provided each having heat transfer surfaces (32,40) which are adapted to sit in heat transfer relation with the other surface (24) of the substrate (14). The temperature of the first base (30) is controlled to be above the freezing temperature of the material (12). The temperature of the second base (36) is controlled to be below the freezing temperature of the material (12). The substrate (14) is moved longitudinally across the first base (30) in the direction of second base (36) while maintaining heat transfer relation of both bases (30,36) with the first surface (24) of the substrate (14). The frezzing rate of the material (12) is closely controlled and frozen material (12) can be produced in a continuous process.
Inventors
- 👤 Boris Rubinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/42; A; A01; A01N; A01N1/00; A01N1/10; A01N1/14; A01N1/142; A01N1/144; A01N1/145; F; F25; F25D; F25D13/00; F25D13/06; F25D13/062; F26; F26B; F26B5/00; F26B5/04; F26B5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus (10) for the controlled freezing of a material (12), comprising: a longitudinally extending substrate (14) having a thickness, δ, a leading end (16), a trailing end (18), a first surface (24), and a second surface (26), said second surface 26 being adapted to support an aliquot of said material (12) thereon; a first base (30) having a first heat transfer surface (32) adapted to sit in heat transfer relation with said first surface (24); first temperature control means (34) for controlling the temperature, T H , of said first base (30) to be above the freezing temperature of said material (12); a second base (36) spaced longitudinally a distance, d, from said first base (30) to define a gap (38) therebetween and having a second heat transfer surface (40) adapted to sit in heat transfer relation with said first surface (24); second temperature control means (42) for controlling the temperature, T C , of said second base (36) to be below the freezing temperature of said material (12); and moving means (44) for moving said substrate (14) generally longitudinally across said first base (30) in the direction of said second base (36) with said first surface (24) in heat transfer relation with both said first heat transfer surface (32) and said second heat transfer surface (40).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus (10) for the controlled freezing of a material (12), comprising: a longitudinally extending substrate (14) having a thickness, δ, a leading end (16), a trailing end (18), a first surface (24), and a second surface (26), said second surface 26 being adapted to support an aliquot of said material (12) thereon; a first base (30) having a first heat transfer surface (32) adapted to sit in heat transfer relation with said first surface (24); first temperature control means (34) for controlling the temperature, T H , of said first base (30) to be above the freezing temperature of said material (12); a second base (36) spaced longitudinally a distance, d, from said first base (30) to define a gap (38) therebetween and having a second heat transfer surface (40) adapted to sit in heat transfer relation with said first surface (24); second temperature control means (42) for controlling the temperature, T C , of said second base (36) to be below the freezing temperature of said material (12); and moving means (44) for moving said substrate (14) generally longitudinally across said first base (30) in the direction of said second base (36) with said first surface (24) in heat transfer relation with both said first heat transfer surface (32) and said second heat transfer surface (40).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said temperature, T H , is controlled to be substantially constant, said temperature, T C , is controlled to be substantially constant and said moving means (44) moves said substrate (14) at substantially constant velocity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 2, wherein said temperatures, T H and T C , are so chosen and said moving means (44) moves said substrate (14) at a velocity chosen such that said material (12) freezes when opposite said gap (38).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 3, wherein said material (12) comprises a biomaterial (12) and said substrate (14) comprises a microscope slide and further including: a microscope (46) positioned opposite said gap (38) and being adapted for viewing freezing of said biomaterial (12).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 4, wherein said biomaterial (12) is selected from the group consisting of red blood cells, spematozoa, cell suspension cultures, skin cultures and fertilized ova.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 3, wherein said material (12) comprises a biomaterial (12) and said substrate (14) comprises a continuous strip (14).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 6, wherein said biomaterial (12) is selected from the group consisting of red blood cells, spematozoa, cell suspension cultures, skin cultures and fertilized ova.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said temperatures, T H and T C , are so chosen and said moving means (44) moves said substrate (14) at a velocity chosen such that said material (12) freezes when opposite said gap (38).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 8, wherein said material (12) comprises a biomaterial (12) and said substrate (14) comprises a microscope slide and further including: a microscope (46) positioned opposite said gap (38) and being adapted for viewing freezing of said biomaterial (12).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 9, wherein said biomaterial (12) is selected from the group consisting of red blood cells, spematozoa, cell suspension cultures, skin cultures and fertilized ova.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 8, wherein said material (12) comprises a biomaterial (12) and said substrate (14) comprises a continuous strip (14).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus (10) as set forth in claim 11, wherein said biomaterial (12) is selected from the group consisting of red blood cells, spermatozoa, cell suspension cultures, skin cultures and fertilized ova.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for controllably freezing a material (12) comprising: positioning a longitudinally extending substrate (14) having a thickness, δ, a leading end (16), a trailing end (18), a first surface (24) and a second surface (26) and having an aliquot of said material (12) supported by said second surface (26) with said first surface (24) in heat transfer relation with first (30) and second (36) bases (30,36) which are spaced apart a distance, d, to define a gap (38) therebetween; maintaining said first base (30) at a temperature, T H , which is above the freezing temperature of said material (12); maintaining said second base (36) at a temeprature, T C , which is below the freezing temperature of said material (12); and moving said substrate (14) logitudinally across said first base (30) in the direction of said second base (36) while maintaining said first (30) and second (36) bases (30,36) in heat transfer relation with said first surface (24).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for controllably freezing a material (12) comprising: positioning a longitudinally extending substrate (14) having a thickness, δ, a leading end (16), a trailing end (18), a first surface (24) and a second surface (26) and having an aliquot of said material (12) supported by said second surface (26) with said first surface (24) in heat transfer relation with first (30) and second (36) bases (30,36) which are spaced apart a distance, d, to define a gap (38) therebetween; maintaining said first base (30) at a temperature, T H , which is above the freezing temperature of said material (12); maintaining said second base (36) at a temeprature, T C , which is below the freezing temperature of said material (12); and moving said substrate (14) logitudinally across said first base (30) in the direction of said second base (36) while maintaining said first (30) and second (36) bases (30,36) in heat transfer relation with said first surface (24).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said moving is at a velocity such that said material (12) freezes when opposite said gap (38).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said temperatures, T H and T C , are each maintained substantially constant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the velocity of which said substrate (14) is moved is maintained substantially constant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein: ##EQU2## wherein h=the heat transfer coefficient between the second surface (26) and the environment and k=the conductivity of the substrate (14).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said substrate (14) comprises a microscope slide (14).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said substrate (14) comprises a continuous strip (14).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said material (12) comprises a biomaterial (12).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said biomaterial (12) is selected from the group consisting of red blood cells, spematozoa, cell suspension cultures, skin cultures and fertilized ova.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-29 | 1989-01-28 | 1989-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-29 | 1993-01-28 | 1993-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-01-28 | 1997-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |