Patent ID: 6869758

Claim:
A method for removing a cryoprotectant from an interior of a cell immersed in a cryoprotectant-containing liquid, comprising the steps of: passing the cryoprotectant-containing liquid through at least one semipermeable hollow fiber membrane contained in a hollow module in a first direction to contact said hollow fiber membrane on at least one interior surface; passing a liquid which is substantially free of cryoprotectant through said hollow module in a second direction opposite to said first direction so that said cryoprotectant-free liquid contacts said semipermeable hollow fiber membrane on at least one exterior surface; and transferring said cryoprotectant from said cryoprotectant-containing liquid to said cryoprotectant-free liquid across a diffusion gradient between said interior surface and said exterior surface of said semipermeable hollow fiber membrane.