US5044165A — Cryo-slammer

Claim 1

Independent Claim 184 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block comprising a detachable cryo-slam surface and a cryofinger, said cryo-slam surface comprising a highly polished and mirror-finished face adapted to receive a tissue specimen; said cryofinger comprising: (1) a thermally conductive tubular member and a thermally conductive closure member closing one end of said tubular member, said closure member being adapted to detachably secure said cryo-slam surface to said cryofinger; (2) an orifice extending within the other open end of the tubular member and defining an inner cavity; said inner cavity conformed to enclose a heating unit; b. a cooling jacket jacketing at least part of said tubular member but not the open end of the tubular member and capable of containing a fluid coolant; c. an evacuatable chamber housing said cryogenic block and said cooling jacket; d. a vacuum line connected to the evacuatable chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum; e. a cryogenic condenser in the vacuum line adapted to cool fluids passing through the vacuum line; and f. a molecular sieve trap in the vacuum line.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 184 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block comprising a detachable cryo-slam surface and a cryofinger, said cryo-slam surface comprising a highly polished and mirror-finished face adapted to receive a tissue specimen; said cryofinger comprising: (1) a thermally conductive tubular member and a thermally conductive closure member closing one end of said tubular member, said closure member being adapted to detachably secure said cryo-slam surface to said cryofinger; (2) an orifice extending within the other open end of the tubular member and defining an inner cavity; said inner cavity conformed to enclose a heating unit; b. a cooling jacket jacketing at least part of said tubular member but not the open end of the tubular member and capable of containing a fluid coolant; c. an evacuatable chamber housing said cryogenic block and said cooling jacket; d. a vacuum line connected to the evacuatable chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum; e. a cryogenic condenser in the vacuum line adapted to cool fluids passing through the vacuum line; and f. a molecular sieve trap in the vacuum line.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cryo-slam surface is copper, chromium, gold, silver, sapphire, diamond or combinations thereof.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cryo-slam surface is gold plated copper.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cryo-slam surface is plated with about 5μ inch acid gold and about 45μ inch alkaline gold.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cryo-slam surface is generally semispherical in shape and adapted to receive a cornea.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a thermocouple embedded in the closure member of said cryofinger.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cryo-slam surface is substantially free of oxides and hydrocarbons.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cryo-slamming is to a temperature of about -140° C. or below.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cryo-slamming is to a temperature of about -180° C. or below.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heating unit comprises an electrical heater.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrical heater is adapted for an interference fit with the inner cavity of said cryofinger.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heating unit comprises an electrical heater enclosed within a back-up cylinder, said back-up cylinder being adapted for an interference fit with the inner cavity of said cryofinger.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said backup cylinder is further secured within the inner cavity of said cryofinger by set screws.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrical heater includes electrical leads connected at one end and leading out the open end of said tubular member whereby said electrical leads are thermally insulated from the fluid coolant within said cooling jacket.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said evacuatable chamber is attached to a source of vacuum sufficient to create a vacuum from about 1×10 -4 mbar to 1×10 -10 mbar.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said evacuatable chamber is attached to a source of dry inert gas operable to increase the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said cryo-slam surface.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said molecular sieve trap comprises a zeolite bag charge.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cooling jacket is adapted to contain a fluid coolant at a pressure from about 10 to about 20 pounds per square inch.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cooling jacket includes a bellows member adapted to reduce fatigue resulting from repeated thermal contraction and expansion.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid coolant is liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 82 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sample delivery assembly including a pneumatically operated plunger mounted in a support structure, said plunger being movable into and out of said evacuatable chamber, said support structure being cooperatively engaged to said evacuatable chamber, said plunger being cooperatively aligned with said cryo-slam surface such that said plunger's path of travel permits said plunger and the tissue specimen attached thereto to penetrate into said evacuatable chamber and into a mated position with said cryo-slam surface.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said sample delivery assembly further includes a movable shutter, said shutter controlling access of said plunger into said evacuatable chamber, the shutter-plunger system being cooperatively timed to allow minimum exposure of the cryo-slam surface during sample delivery.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said shutter includes a flexible shock absorbing mount operable to reduce shock waves on the cryo-slam surface.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said sample delivery assembly further includes a sample holder, said sample holder being characterized by construction which minimizes compression and bounce upon contact with said cryo-slam surface.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said sample holder includes a magnetic disk, a foam rubber cushion; a brass plate; and mounting means for said tissue specimen.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a microprocessor adapted to control functions including pneumatic plunger actuation, shutter delay, plunger-cryo-slam surface dwell time, and cryo-slam surface temperature.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a manual override control operable to override microprocessor functions and pneumatically actuated functions.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 174 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block comprising a detachable cryo-slam surface and a cryofinger, said cryo-slam surface comprising a highly polished and mirror-finished face adapted to receive a tissue specimen; said cryofinger comprising a thermally conductive tubular member and a thermally conductive closure member closing one end of said tubular member, said closure member being adapted to detachably secure said cryo-slam surface to said cryofinger; b. a heating unit adapted to be removably inserted into the other open end of said tubular member; c. a cooling jacket jacketing at least part of said tubular member but not the open end of the tubular member and capable of containing a fluid coolant; d. an evacuatable chamber housing said cryogenic block and said cooling jacket; e. a vacuum line connected to the evacuatable chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum; f. a cryogenic condenser in the vacuum line adapted to cool fluids passing through the vacuum line; and g. a molecular sieve trap in the vacuum line.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 174 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block comprising a detachable cryo-slam surface and a cryofinger, said cryo-slam surface comprising a highly polished and mirror-finished face adapted to receive a tissue specimen; said cryofinger comprising a thermally conductive tubular member and a thermally conductive closure member closing one end of said tubular member, said closure member being adapted to detachably secure said cryo-slam surface to said cryofinger; b. a heating unit adapted to be removably inserted into the other open end of said tubular member; c. a cooling jacket jacketing at least part of said tubular member but not the open end of the tubular member and capable of containing a fluid coolant; d. an evacuatable chamber housing said cryogenic block and said cooling jacket; e. a vacuum line connected to the evacuatable chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum; f. a cryogenic condenser in the vacuum line adapted to cool fluids passing through the vacuum line; and g. a molecular sieve trap in the vacuum line.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 234 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block comprising a detachable cryo-slam surface and a cryofinger, said cryo-slam surface comprising a highly polished and mirror-finished face adapted to receive a tissue specimen; said cryofinger comprising a thermally conductive tubular member and a thermally conductive closure member closing one end of said tubular member, said closure member being adapted to detachably secure said cryo-slam surface to said cryofinger; b. an electrical heater adapted to be removably inserted into the other open end of said tubular member; c. a cooling jacket jacketing at least part of said tubular member but not the open end of the tubular member and capable of containing a fluid coolant; d. an evacuatable chamber housing said cryogenic block and said cooling jacket; e. a vacuum line connected to the evacuatable chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum; f. a cryogenic condenser in the vacuum line adapted to cool fluids passing through the vacuum line; g. a molecular sieve trap in the vacuum line; h. a source of dry inert gas connected to the evacuatable chamber and operable to increase the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said cryo-slam surface; and i. electrical leads connected at one end to the electrical heater and leading out the open end of said tubular member whereby said electrical leads are thermally insulated from fluid coolant within said cooling jacket.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 234 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block comprising a detachable cryo-slam surface and a cryofinger, said cryo-slam surface comprising a highly polished and mirror-finished face adapted to receive a tissue specimen; said cryofinger comprising a thermally conductive tubular member and a thermally conductive closure member closing one end of said tubular member, said closure member being adapted to detachably secure said cryo-slam surface to said cryofinger; b. an electrical heater adapted to be removably inserted into the other open end of said tubular member; c. a cooling jacket jacketing at least part of said tubular member but not the open end of the tubular member and capable of containing a fluid coolant; d. an evacuatable chamber housing said cryogenic block and said cooling jacket; e. a vacuum line connected to the evacuatable chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum; f. a cryogenic condenser in the vacuum line adapted to cool fluids passing through the vacuum line; g. a molecular sieve trap in the vacuum line; h. a source of dry inert gas connected to the evacuatable chamber and operable to increase the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said cryo-slam surface; and i. electrical leads connected at one end to the electrical heater and leading out the open end of said tubular member whereby said electrical leads are thermally insulated from fluid coolant within said cooling jacket.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 180 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block adapted to receive tissue specimen and to ultrarapidly cool the same, said cryogenic block being enclosed within a chamber; b. vacuum means functionally attached to said chamber and adapted to reduce the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said cryogenic block; c. cooling means functionally associated with said cryogenic block and said chamber; d. vacuum reversal means functionally associated with said chamber to increase the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said cryogenic block; e. a combination trap functionally attached to said vacuum means and said chamber comprising a cryogenic condenser and a molecular sieve and adapted to reduce hydrocarbon build up on said cryogenic block; f. a sample delivery assembly functionally associated with said cryogenic block and said chamber, said assembly including means for mounting said tissue specimen and means adapted to transfer said tissue specimen from outside said chamber to said cryogenic block inside said chamber; and g. heating means functionally associated with said cryogenic block, said heating means being effective to permit rapid regeneration of said cryogenic block.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 180 words

Apparatus for cryo-slamming a tissue specimen comprising: a. a cryogenic block adapted to receive tissue specimen and to ultrarapidly cool the same, said cryogenic block being enclosed within a chamber; b. vacuum means functionally attached to said chamber and adapted to reduce the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said cryogenic block; c. cooling means functionally associated with said cryogenic block and said chamber; d. vacuum reversal means functionally associated with said chamber to increase the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said cryogenic block; e. a combination trap functionally attached to said vacuum means and said chamber comprising a cryogenic condenser and a molecular sieve and adapted to reduce hydrocarbon build up on said cryogenic block; f. a sample delivery assembly functionally associated with said cryogenic block and said chamber, said assembly including means for mounting said tissue specimen and means adapted to transfer said tissue specimen from outside said chamber to said cryogenic block inside said chamber; and g. heating means functionally associated with said cryogenic block, said heating means being effective to permit rapid regeneration of said cryogenic block.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-09-02	1995-03-04	1995-09-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-09-02	1999-03-04	1999-09-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-09-02	2003-03-04	2003-09-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Cryo-slammer

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