Patent EP-1928600-A1 (EP)
Title: Assembly for packaging a predetermined volume of substance to be preserved by cryogenic vitrification
Inventor: CLAIRAZ PHILIPPE
IPC: A01N1/02
Filed: 2006-09-22
Abstract: The conditioning unit for preserving biological substance by cryogenic vitrification, comprises an envelope (2) with a thin tube (6), a support (3) and a push rod (4). The support comprises a receiver zone (16) and has a predetermined length, which is lower than the predetermined length of the thin tube. The support is introduced into the thin tube having a predetermined internal diameter of 0.95-2.55 mm. The rod comprises a first butted portion and the second portion extends over the predetermined length from the butted portion. The conditioning unit for preserving biological substance by cryogenic vitrification, comprises an envelope (2) with a thin tube (6), a support (3) and a push rod (4). The support comprises a receiver zone (16) and has a predetermined length, which is lower than the predetermined length of the thin tube. The support is introduced into the thin tube having a predetermined internal diameter of 0.95-2.55 mm. The rod comprises a first butted portion and the second portion extends over the predetermined length from the butted portion. Sum of the predetermined length of the second portion and the predetermined length of the support is lower than the predetermined length of the thin tube. The second portion is introduced into the thin tube to move the support up to the butted portion against the thin tube. The support is inserted into a predetermined position of the tube with a difference in each end of the support and the close end of the tube. Each difference has a value for welding the thin tube in each end. The end portion of the tube has a value, which is equal to the predetermined length of the second portion of the push-rod. Thickness of the thin tube wall is 0.125-0.300 mm, where the tube has a widening part at the end. The thin tube is made up of Surlyn 8921 (RTM: ionomer resin). The support comprises a tubular nozzle having a predetermined external diameter and an elongated tubular portion coaxially fitted to the nozzle. The tubular portion comprises a trough and a flat part. The trough and the flat part forms a reception zone. An unit maintains the support and the thin tube. The maintenance unit comprises a protruding bulge. The two portions of the rod are in a cylindrical form. The first portion has a transverse dimension, which is higher than the predetermined internal diameter of the tube. The second portion has a transverse dimension, which is lower than the predetermined internal diameter of the tube. Ballast is placed into the tube and the envelope. The ballast comprises a cord having a first part with a round section and a second part with an oval section. The sum of the predetermined length of the second portion of the rod, the support and the predetermined length of the ballast is lower than the predetermined length of the thin tube. The ballast is placed at the predetermined position with the difference of the close end of the support and the thin tube. End portion of the thin tube is placed between the ballast and the close end of the thin tube. The ballast is disposed around the thin tube. The ballast is a ring or metal. Electronic or visual identification unit is associated with the ballast to identify the biological substance.