Patent EP-2492663-A2 (EP)
Inventor: LEUTHOLD DIRK
IPC: G01N1/42
Filed: 2012-02-17
Abstract: The cryogenic storage system comprises a thermally isolated cryogenic chamber (1) having sample carriers for receiving the sample, a closable first access (1.1) in an upper cover area of the cryogenic chamber, by which the cryogenic chamber stands in connection with a thermally insulated intermediate bearing (2) arranged above the cryogenic chamber, a unit for transporting the sample carrier between the cryogenic chamber and the intermediate bearing, and a working space laterally adjacent to the intermediate bearing, in which the transport unit is removed from the sample carrier. The cryogenic storage system comprises a thermally isolated cryogenic chamber (1) having sample carriers for receiving the sample, a closable first access (1.1) in an upper cover area of the cryogenic chamber, by which the cryogenic chamber stands in connection with a thermally insulated intermediate bearing (2) arranged above the cryogenic chamber, a unit for transporting the sample carrier between the cryogenic chamber and the intermediate bearing, and a working space laterally adjacent to the intermediate bearing, in which the transport unit is removed from the sample carrier in a horizontal direction and is arranged in an insertable element of the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing into the working space. A lubricator for transporting the samples is present between a sample transport vessel and the working space. A sample carrier receiver for receiving the sample carrier is present into the cryogenic chamber. The sample carrier receiver is movably mounted, and stands in connection with a controlled drive so that the individual sample carrier is deliverable to the first access of the cryogenic chamber. The intermediate bearing and the working space stand in connection with each other via a closable second access (2.1). A bottom of the working space is accessible by an area from below and outside of the cryogenic chamber. A closable third access with a sealing element and a locking device for releasably locking a sample vessel is present in the bottom of the work space so that the sample vessel is gas-tightly locked at the third access of the working space, and the samples are transported between the sample vessel and the working space. Individual drawers: are removable into the sample carrier of the insertable elements; and have a base surface of a cylinder sector. The drawers of the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing are deliverable by positioning the sample carrier of a transfer position. The unit for transporting the drawers is deliverable between the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing and the working space of the transfer position, where the transfer position is defined so that a transport of the drawers is carried out by the second access. The second access between the intermediate bearing and the working space has a vertical expansion, by which the area of the drawers is horizontally transported between the intermediate bearing and the working space. A vertical dimension of the second access to the respective cover areas of the intermediate bearing and the working space is provided at a distance. The sample carrier receiver is arranged at a shaft passing to a coaxial rotational axis, and is connected to the shaft, which is rotatably mounted at its end located into the cryogenic chamber in a bearing around the rotational axis. The sample carrier receiver is supported with its underside of the trestle roller, which protrudes from a direction of the bottom of the cryogenic chamber towards the underside of the sample carrier receiver. The dimension of the intermediate bearing simultaneously allows the receiver of the sample carrier. A first closure (1.2) is provided at the first access, where the first closure comprises first coupling elements at its side facing the cryogenic chamber. Each sample carrier comprises second coupling elements, where a coupling for a releasable connection of the first closure and the sample carrier delivered to the first access is formed by the first coupling elements and the second coupling elements. Each sample carrier coupled to the first closure is transported between the sample carrier and the intermediate bearing. The first closure is connected via a chain with a chain drive. The unit for transporting the drawer between the sample carrier located in the intermediate bearing and the working space is a transport device, which are driven by a traction. An access position with defined position coordinates is deliverable in the working space by the drawer transported in the working space. A storage unit for storing and preparing a data is present at the respective drawer. A contact medium for contacting the storage unit of the drawer transported in the working space is present in the working space. The data between the contact medium and the storage unit is interchangeable by the contact medium. The sealing element is heatable. An engagement and a controlled working manipulation device for a manipulation of the samples by the third access are present in the working chamber.