U.S. patent application number 14/882058 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-15 for sample cryogenic storage pipe and device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shandong Shanda Hospital For Reproductive Medicine Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Zijiang Chen, Shandong Shanda Hospital For Reproductive Medicine Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Zijiang Chen, Cheng Li, Jinlong Ma, Keliang Wu.
Application Number | 20160363362 14/882058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54298359 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160363362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Zijiang ; et
al. |
December 15, 2016 |
SAMPLE CRYOGENIC STORAGE PIPE AND DEVICE
Abstract
The present application discloses a sample cryogenic storage
pipe. The sample cryogenic storage pipe includes a pipe body and a
one-piece pipe cap removably configured in the pipe body; there is
an opening portion on an upper portion of the pipe body, a sleeve
of the pipe body is provided below the opening portion, and a
sealed cavity is formed between the sleeve and a pipe wall of the
pipe body; the pipe cap includes a pipe cap mating portion and a
sample loading rod integrally formed with the pipe cap mating
portion, and the sample loading rod, on at least one side thereof,
is provided with a storage groove for storing a sample; and the
pipe cap mating portion is removably configured on the opening
portion of the pipe body, and the sample loading rod is able to be
inserted into the sleeve of the pipe body or be removed from the
sleeve of the pipe body. The present application also discloses a
sample cryogenic storage device. The sample cryogenic storage pipe
and device provided by the present application have features of
simple structure and easy operation where there is no residual
liquid nitrogen when in use.
Inventors: |
Chen; Zijiang; (Broadview
Heights, OH) ; Wu; Keliang; (Jinan, CN) ; Li;
Cheng; (Jinan, CN) ; Ma; Jinlong; (Jinan,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chen; Zijiang
Shandong Shanda Hospital For Reproductive Medicine Co.,
Ltd. |
Jinan
Jinan |
|
CN
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Shandong Shanda Hospital For
Reproductive Medicine Co., Ltd.
Jinan
CN
|
Family ID: |
54298359 |
Appl. No.: |
14/882058 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 3/107 20130101;
B01L 2300/042 20130101; B01L 2300/047 20130101; G01N 1/42 20130101;
G01N 1/00 20130101; B01L 3/50825 20130101; A01N 1/0268 20130101;
B01L 3/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 3/10 20060101
F25D003/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 10, 2015 |
CN |
201510316797.0 |
Claims
1. A sample cryogenic storage pipe, comprising: a pipe body,
comprising: an upper portion having an opening portion, a sleeve
deposited below the opening portion, a pipe wall, and a sealed
cavity formed between the sleeve and the pipe wall; and a pipe cap
removably coupled to the pipe body, comprising: a mating portion
removably coupled to the opening portion of the pipe body, and a
sample loading rod integrally formed with the mating portion,
configured to be moved into and out of the sleeve of the pipe body,
and a storage groove for storing a sample, disposed on at least one
side of the sample loading rod.
2. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 1 wherein
the mating portion comprises: a top mating portion configured to
removably couple with an operating lever, and a bottom mating
portion removably coupled to the opening portion of the pipe body,
wherein the top mating portion comprises: a side wall disposed
around the perimeter of the bottom mating portion, wherein the side
wall has at least one bayonet mount opening, and a mounting cavity
configured to receive the operating lever, wherein the mounting
cavity is formed by the side wall and the bottom mating
portion.
3. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 2 wherein
the at least one bayonet mount opening is an L-shaped opening
having an open end at a top surface of the side wall and a closed
end disposed within the side wall.
4. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 3 wherein
the closed end of the L-shaped opening comprises a recess extending
toward the top surface of the side wall.
5. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 2 wherein
the pipe body further comprises a connection portion disposed
between the opening portion and the sleeve, wherein when the pipe
cap is coupled to the pipe body, the bottom mating portion of the
pipe cap removably couples to the connection portion of the pipe
body and the top mating portion of the pipe cap covers the opening
portion of the pipe body.
6. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 1 wherein
the sealed cavity is filled with a refrigerant.
7. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 1 wherein
the mating portion of the pipe cap further comprises a vent
connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the mating
portion, wherein the vent is spaced apart from the sample loading
rod.
8. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 1 wherein
the storage groove has a cross-section of a U-shape or a
V-shape.
9. The sample cryogenic storage pipe according to claim 1, wherein
the pipe body comprises a marking region.
10. A cryogenic storage device, comprising: a storage pipe,
comprising: a pipe body, comprising: an upper portion having an
opening portion, a sleeve deposited below the opening portion, a
pipe wall, and a sealed cavity formed between the sleeve and the
pipe wall, and a pipe cap removably coupled to the pipe body,
comprising: a mating portion removably coupled to the opening
portion of the pipe body, and a sample loading rod integrally
formed with the mating portion, configured to be moved into and out
of the sleeve of the pipe body, and a storage groove for storing a
sample, disposed on at least one side of the sample loading rod,
and an operating lever configured to removably couple to the mating
portion of the pipe cap.
11. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 10
wherein the operating lever comprises: a main body, a connection
portion disposed at an end of the main body, and at least one
protrusion extending outward from the main body on a lateral side
of the connection portion, wherein the mating portion comprises: a
top mating portion configured to removably couple with the
operating lever, and a bottom mating portion removably coupled to
the opening portion of the pipe body, wherein the top mating
portion comprises: a side wall disposed around the perimeter of the
bottom mating portion, wherein the side wall has at least one
bayonet mount opening, the at least one bayonet mount opening is
configured to receive the at least one protrusion from the main
body of the operating lever, and a mounting cavity configured to
receive the operating lever, wherein the mounting cavity is formed
by the side wall and the bottom mating portion.
12. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 11
wherein the at least one bayonet mount opening is an L-shaped
opening having an open end at a top surface of the side wall and a
closed end disposed within the side wall, and wherein the at least
one protrusion is engaged within the L-shaped bayonet mount
opening.
13. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 12
wherein the closed end of the L-shaped opening comprises a recess
extending toward the top surface of the side wall, and wherein the
protrusion is engaged within the recess.
14. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 11
wherein the connection portion of the operating lever comprises an
elastic member configured to be compressed when the connection
portion of the operating lever couples within the mounting
cavity.
15. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 11,
wherein the pipe body further comprises a connection portion
disposed between the opening portion and the sleeve, wherein when
the pipe cap is coupled to the pipe body, the bottom mating portion
of the pipe cap removably couples to the connection portion of the
pipe body and the top mating portion of the pipe cap covers the
opening portion of the pipe body.
16. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 10
wherein the sealed cavity is filled with a refrigerant.
17. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 10
wherein the mating portion of the pipe cap further comprises a vent
connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the mating
portion, wherein the vent being spaced apart from the sample
loading rod.
18. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 10
wherein the storage groove has a cross-section of a U-shape or a
V-shape.
19. The sample cryogenic storage device according to claim 10
wherein the pipe body further comprises a marking region.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent
Application No. 201510316797.0, filed on Jun. 10, 2015, and
entitled "SAMPLE CRYOGENIC STORAGE PIPE AND DEVICE," which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to sample storage
technologies, and more particularly, to a sample cryogenic storage
pipe and a sample cryogenic storage device for storing all kinds of
tissues and cells of a biological, medical laboratory or the
like.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently, a loading tool, used to cryogenically store all
kinds of tissues and cells for a biological, medical laboratory or
the like, mainly includes three categories: a cryoloop, a cryostraw
and a cryogenic loading rod.
[0004] There is a higher requirement for a ring mounting technique
when the cryoloop is in use. The respective operation can only be
smoothly completed by a strictly-trained and skilled operator. And
because the cryoloop is made of a plastic material and the loading
rod is made of a metal material, a certain gap is formed there
between, so that liquid nitrogen will reside in the gap. During a
melting process, a large amount of bubbles are released or cracks
are appeared due to volatilization of the liquid nitrogen, causing
loss of one or more samples.
[0005] The operation is very complicated when cryostraws and
cryogenic loading rods are in use. A longer pipe body occupies lots
of storage space and space utilization is low. The pipe body has a
smaller diameter and sample information cannot be marked clearly
and completely on the pipe body, and thus confusion and/or
uncertainty easily occurs in use.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present application discloses a sample cryogenic storage
pipe and a sample cryogenic storage device with features of simple
structure and easy operation where there is no residual liquid
nitrogen in use.
[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, a sample cryogenic storage pipe
includes a pipe body and a one-piece pipe cap removably assembled
to the pipe body; there is an opening portion on an upper portion
of the pipe body, a sleeve of the pipe body is provided below the
opening portion, and a sealed cavity is formed between the sleeve
and a pipe wall of the pipe body; the pipe cap comprises a pipe cap
mating portion and a sample loading rod integrally formed with the
pipe cap mating portion, and the sample loading rod, on at least
one side thereof, is provided with a storage groove for storing a
sample; the pipe cap mating portion is removably configured on the
opening portion of the pipe body, and the sample loading rod is
able to be inserted into the sleeve of the pipe body or be removed
from the sleeve of the pipe body.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, a sample cryogenic storage
device includes a sample cryogenic storage pipe and an operating
lever; the sample cryogenic storage pipe includes a pipe body and a
one-piece pipe cap removably configured in the pipe body; there is
an opening portion on an upper portion of the pipe body, a sleeve
of the pipe body is provided below the opening portion, and a
sealed cavity is formed between the pipe body and a pipe wall; the
pipe cap includes a pipe cap mating portion and a sample loading
rod integrally formed with the pipe cap mating portion, wherein the
sample loading rod, on at least one side thereof, is provided with
a storage groove for storing a sample; the pipe cap mating portion
is removably configured on the opening portion of the pipe body,
and the sample loading rod is able to be inserted into the sleeve
of the pipe body or be removed from the sleeve of the pipe body;
and the operating lever is removably connected with the pipe cap
mating portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a structure diagram of the sample cryogenic
storage pipe provided by the present application;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe body;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the pipe body provided with
a marking region;
[0012] FIG. 4 is top view of the pipe body;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the pipe cap;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the pipe cap;
[0015] FIG. 7 is top view of the pipe cap;
[0016] FIG. 8 is sectional view along A-A of the pipe cap shown in
FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a top mating
portion;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of the sample cryogenic
storage device provided by the present application;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a main view of an operating lever; and
[0020] FIG. 12 is a top view of the operating lever.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Detailed embodiments of the present application are
hereinafter given with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein identical reference numerals being used to represent
identical elements. It should be noted that the words "front",
"back", "left", "right", "up", "top" and "bottom", used
hereinafter, mean orientations in the drawings, and the words
"inside" and "outside" respectively mean the orientations toward
and away from geometric center of a certain portion.
[0022] The sample cryogenic storage pipe and the sample cryogenic
storage device of the present application are mainly used to
cryogenically store all kinds of tissues and cells in a biological
or medical laboratory. A tissue or cell to be cryogenically stored
is called as a sample, and the pipe and device for cryogenically
storing the tissue or cell are correspondingly called as the sample
cryogenic storage pipe and the sample cryogenic storage device,
respectively.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, a sample cryogenic storage pipe 100
provided by an embodiment of the present application includes a
pipe body 1 and a one-piece pipe cap 2 removably provided within
the pipe body 1.
[0024] The pipe body 1, on the upper portion thereof, is provided
with a pipe body opening portion 11, a sleeve 12 of the pipe body
is provided below the opening portion 11, and a sealed cavity 14 is
formed between the sleeve 12 and a pipe wall 10 of the pipe body
1.
[0025] The pipe cap 2 includes a pipe cap mating portion 21 and a
sample loading rod 22 integrally formed with the pipe cap mating
portion 21, and the sample loading rod 22, on at least one side
thereof, is provided with a storage groove 221 for storing
samples.
[0026] The pipe cap mating portion 21 is removably configured on
the opening portion 11 of the pipe body, and the sample loading rod
22 may be inserted into the sleeve 12 or removed from the sleeve
12.
[0027] That is, the sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 mainly
consists of the pipe body 1 and the pipe cap 2. The pipe cap 2 is a
one-piece pipe cap, which is integrally formed as a whole, so that
there is no gap between all of connections of the pipe cap 2,
preventing residual liquid nitrogen from being trapped in the pipe
cap 2.
[0028] The pipe body 1, on the upper end thereof, is provided with
a pipe body opening portion 11, and is sealed on the bottom end
thereof. The pipe body 1 is provided with a pipe body sleeve 12
therein, which is located below the opening portion 11. The sealed
cavity 14, used for storing a refrigerant 3, is formed between the
sleeve 12 and the pipe wall 10 of the pipe body 1. In an exemplary
embodiment, the sleeve 12 is located in the center of the pipe body
1 so that the sealed cavity 14 evenly surrounds the sleeve 12, and
thus the refrigerant 3 is evenly arranged around the sleeve 12, to
make the ambient temperature around the sleeve 12 consistent.
[0029] The pipe cap 2 includes the pipe cap mating portion 21 and
the sample loading rod 22. The sample loading rod 22 is integrated
with the pipe cap mating portion 21, so as to form the one-piece
pip cap 2 mentioned above. There is no gap between the sample
loading rod 22 and the pipe cap mating portion 21. Therefore, there
is no residual liquid nitrogen when the pipe cap is removed from
the liquid nitrogen. Without residual liquid nitrogen in use, the
respective defect is avoided, that is, the samples will not be lost
or cracked due to a large amount of bubbles released by the
volatilization of the liquid nitrogen during cryogenic storage.
[0030] The sample loading rod 22 is provided with a storage groove
221 thereon for storing samples. Certainly, two or more storage
grooves 221 can be symmetrically provided as required. The one or
more samples are placed in the storage groove 221 in use. The one
or more samples are not lost from the storage groove 221 during the
movement of the device.
[0031] During the connecting operation, the pipe cap mating portion
21 is configured on the opening portion 11 and removably connected
with the opening portion 11. That is, the pipe cap mating portion
21 can be mounted on the opening portion 11 or removed from the
opening portion 11. A connection way, such as a thread connection,
a key connection, a pin connection or the like, may be adopted.
[0032] After the connecting operation, the sample loading rod 22 is
inserted into the sleeve 12, wherein the bottom end of the sleeve
12 is sealed and the storage groove 221 is also located in the
sleeve 12, so as to prevent the sample from being polluted by
contacting with the environment. When the pipe cap mating portion
21 is removed, the movement of the sample loading rod 22 with the
pipe cap mating portion 21 enables the sample loading rod 22 to be
pulled out of the sleeve 12.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the pipe body 1, which is of a
cylindrical shape or a cuboid shape, is made of a plastic material.
The pipe cap 2 is made of a metal material or plastic material, all
parts (such as the pipe cap mating portion 21 and the sample
loading rod 22) of which is made of the same material, to ensure
that all parts can be integrally formed.
[0034] One of various metals (such as copper, iron, stainless
steel, aluminum magnesium alloy, aluminum, tin, etc.) can be used
as the metal material; and one of various plastics (such as
polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polystyrene (PS), ABS, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and
polyamide (PA), etc.) can be used as the plastic material.
[0035] In conclusion, by providing the pipe cap in a one-piece
manner, the pipe cap mating portion thereof is integrally formed
with the sample loading rod, and there is no gap there between, so
that there is no residual liquid nitrogen in the gap when the pip
cap is removed from the liquid nitrogen. The sample cryogenic
storage pipe provided by the present application avoids the
respective defect, that is, the samples will not be lost or cracked
due to a large amount of bubbles released by the volatilization of
the liquid nitrogen during cryogenic storage during storage.
Therefore, the loss of sample is avoided during the movement of the
device.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 and 10, the pipe cap mating
portion 21 includes a top mating portion 23 for matching and
connecting an external operating lever 4 and a bottom mating
portion 24 for matching and connecting the pipe body 1.
[0037] The top mating portion 23 includes a side wall 231 provided
around the perimeter of the bottom mating portion 24 and at least
one bayonet portion 25 provided on the side wall 231. A mounting
cavity 26, used for inserting one end of the operating lever 4 into
therein, is formed between the side wall 231 and the bottom mating
portion 24.
[0038] The top mating portion 23 and the bottom mating portion 24
are integrally formed to form the pipe cap mating portion 21. The
side wall 231 of the top mating portion 23 is provided around the
perimeter of the bottom mating portion 24. Thus, the mounting
cavity 26 is formed between the side wall 231 arranged in the
surrounding manner and the bottom mating portion 24. In order to
match the external operating lever 4 easily, the side wall 231 is
provided with at least one bayonet portion 25. In an exemplary
embodiment, two bayonet portions 25 are symmetrically provided.
[0039] In use, one end of the operating lever 4 is inserted into
the mounting cavity 26 and is tightly locked in the mounting cavity
26 by the bayonet portion 25, so that it is convenient for the
operating lever 4 to move the pipe cap 2, so as to insert the pipe
cap 2 into the liquid nitrogen or to remove the pipe cap 2 from the
liquid nitrogen.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 9, the bayonet portion 25 is an
L-shaped bayonet 251, wherein an opening 252 of the L-shaped
bayonet 251 is formed on a top face 232 of the side wall 231. Two
portions are integrally formed into the bayonet 251 that is in a
shape of L. These two portions are a first portion 254 vertically
provided on the side wall 231 and a second portion 255 horizontally
provided on the side wall 231. The first portion 254 is
communicated to the top face 232 of the side wall 231, so that the
opening 252 of the L-shaped bayonet 251 is formed on the top face
232 of the side wall 231. The second portion 255, that is
transversally arranged, is located on the side wall 231.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 10, when one end of the operating lever 4
is inserted into the mounting cavity 26, a protrusion 43 of the end
of the operating lever 4 enters into the bayonet portion 25 from
the opening 252. The protrusion 43 first enters into the first
portion 254 and then enters into the second portion 255 by rotating
the operating lever 4, so as to connect the operating lever 4 with
the pipe cap 2 together. The operating lever 4 can be removed by
being rotated reversely.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 9, a tail end of the L-shaped bayonet
251, which is a tail end of the second portion 255, also forms an
additional bayonet 253 extending towards the top face 232 of the
side wall 231. The additional bayonet 253 is integrally formed on
the tail end of the second portion 255 and extends toward the top
face 232, and the extending orientation is the same as that in the
first portion 254. After the protrusion 43 enters into the second
portion 255, the operating lever 4 can continue to be rotated, so
that the protrusion 43 is located in the tail end of the second
portion 255. At this time, the protrusion 43 is tightened in the
additional bayonet 253 by pulling up the operating lever 4 and/or
by an elastic component provided on the end of the operating lever
4, so as to tightly connect the operating lever 4 with the pipe cap
2 together.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a connection portion 13 of the
pipe body is provided between the opening portion 11 and the sleeve
12, and the bottom mating portion 24 is removably connected within
the connection portion 13 of the pipe body, and the top mating
portion 23 covers the opening portion 11 of the pipe body. The
bottom mating portion 24 can be connected with the connection
portion 13 of the pipe body by a connection way such as a thread
connection, a key connection or a pin connection, so that the
bottom mating portion 24 can be mounted in the connection portion
13 of the pipe body, and also can be removed from the connection
portion 13 of the pipe body.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, both the pipe body 1 and the
pipe cap 2 have circular cross sections. The pipe body 1 has a
diameter of 5-20 mm and a height of 10-110 mm. The top mating
portion 23 of the pipe cap 2 has a diameter of 5-20 mm and a height
of 2-10 mm; the bottom mating portion 24 has a diameter of 3-18 mm
and a height of 2-10 mm; and the sample loading rod 22 has a
diameter of 0.5-16 mm and a height of 5-90 mm. With reasonable
height and width of pipe body 1 and the pipe cap 2, the utilization
of the cryogenic storage space can be maximized.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 13, the sealed cavity 14 is filled
with the refrigerant 3. By placing the refrigerant 3 in the sealed
cavity 14, the sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 outside the liquid
nitrogen can be kept at a low temperature for a period of time. The
refrigerant 3 in the present application is an ultralow temperature
coolant. The ultralow temperature coolant, being a high molecular
polymer which has a plurality of different traits: liquid state,
semi liquid state, all solid state, soft gel state and hard gel
state, can maintain an ultralow temperature from -30.quadrature. to
-80.quadrature. for a certain time-period. LD10-B1 granular type,
LD10-B2 gel type, LD10-B3 liquid type, LD10-B4 jelly type, LD10-B5
colloid type or LD10-B6 gel type can be the choice for the
refrigerant 3.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 7, the pipe cap mating portion 21 is
provided with a vent 27 spaced apart from the sample loading rod
22, wherein the vent 27 runs through upper and lower surfaces of
the pipe cap mating portion 21. The vent 27 is specifically
provided at the bottom mating portion 24, and runs through upper
and lower surfaces of the bottom mating portion 24. The vent 27,
spaced apart from the sample loading rod 22, is not in line with
the sample loading rod 22. The vent 27 can be provided on a main
body of the bottom mating portion 24, or also can be provided at an
edge of the bottom mating portion 24. The vent 27 maintains a
balance between a gas-pressure in the sleeve of the pipe body and
the pressure outside, which avoids the situation that the pipe cap
2 is pushed out or the pipe body bursts due to high pressure in the
sleeve 12 of the pipe body when the liquid nitrogen is volatilized,
and avoids the loss of the samples.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the storage
groove 221 is in a shape of U or in a shape of V. The storage
groove 221 has a length of 0.5-82 mm and a depth of 0.2-8 mm, and
also can be arranged in other form. In use, the one or more samples
are maintained to be placed within the V-shaped or U-shaped storage
groove 221. When the sample loading rod is moved, the one or more
samples remain within the V-shaped or U-shaped storage groove 221
so as to be avoided to be lost.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 3, the pipe body 1 is provided with a
marking region 15 where information of the sample to be processed
can be recoded first so that confusion is avoided. The marking
region 15 may be rectangular or square; and the marking region 15
may be a transparent coating or a coating with respective color. In
an exemplary embodiment, the coating with white color has an area
of 20 mm2-6000 mm2.
[0049] In conclusion, the sample cryogenic storage pipe provided by
the present application, where there is no residual liquid
nitrogen, has features of simple structure and easy operation; and
the height and width of the pipe body and the pipe cap thereof are
reasonable, so that utilization of the cryogenic storage space can
be maximized, and sample information can be marked in detail in the
marking region, so as to avoid confusion and uncertainty.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 10, a sample cryogenic storage device 200
provided by an embodiment of the present application includes a
sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 and an operating lever 4.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the sample cryogenic storage pipe 100
includes the pipe body 1 and the one-piece pipe cap 2 removably
configured in the pipe body 1.
[0052] The pipe body 1, on the upper portion thereof, is provided
with the opening portion 11, the sleeve 12 of the pipe body is
provided below the opening portion 11, and the sealed cavity 14 is
formed between the sleeve 12 and the pipe wall 10 of the pipe body
1.
[0053] The pipe cap 2 includes the pipe cap mating portion 21 and
the sample loading rod 22 integrated with the pipe cap mating
portion 21, and the sample loading rod 22, on at least one side
thereof, is provided with the storage groove 221 for storing the
samples.
[0054] The pipe cap mating portion 21 is removably configured on
the opening portion 11 of the pipe body, and the sample loading rod
22 can be inserted into the sleeve 12 or removed from the sleeve
12. The operating lever 4 is removably connected with the pipe cap
mating portion 21.
[0055] That is, the sample cryogenic storage device 200 mainly
consists of the sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 and the operating
lever 4.
[0056] The structure, construction and working principle of the
sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 have been introduced in detail
hereinbefore, which will not be described redundantly herein.
[0057] The operating lever 4 is removably connected to the pipe cap
mating portion 21, so that the operating lever 4 can match the pipe
cap mating portion 21 in use, and thus moving the pipe cap 2. The
pipe cap 2 is placed in the pipe body 1. After the operation is
completed, the operating lever 4 is removed from the pipe cap 2 and
the cryogenic storage pipe is put into a corresponding storage
position, so as to cryogenically store the samples.
[0058] In order to meet requirements of low temperature and
refrigeration, the sealed cavity 14 is filled with the refrigerant
3, so that the sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 outside the liquid
nitrogen can be kept at a low temperature for a period of time,
which benefits the cryogenic storage.
[0059] The operating lever 4 may be made of metal material or
plastic material. One of various metals (such as copper, iron,
stainless steel, aluminum magnesium alloy, aluminum, tin, etc.) can
be used as the metal material; one of various plastics (such as
polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polystyrene (PS), ABS, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide
(PA), etc.) can be used as the plastic material.
[0060] In conclusion, in the sample cryogenic storage device
provided by the present application, by making the pipe cap in a
one-piece form, the pipe cap mating portion thereof integrally
formed with the sample loading rod, and there is no gap there
between, and there is no residual liquid nitrogen in the gap when
the pip cap is removed from the liquid nitrogen, so as to avoid the
respective defect that samples are lost due to a large amount of
bubbles released by the volatilization of the liquid nitrogen or
cracks occurred in the volatilization of the liquid nitrogen during
storage. By providing the storage groove on the sample loading rod,
it is avoided that samples are lost during the movement. The pipe
cap is moved by the operating lever so that the respective
operation is convenient to cryogenically store the samples.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, the operating lever 4 includes
a main body 41 and a connection portion 42 provided on one end of
the main body 41, and at least one outwardly extended protrusion 43
is arranged on a lateral side 421 of the connection portion 42.
[0062] As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the pipe cap mating portion 21
includes a top mating portion 23 for matching and connecting the
operating lever 4 and a bottom mating portion 24 for matching and
connecting the pipe body 1.
[0063] The top mating portion 23 includes a side wall 231 provided
around the perimeter of the bottom mating portion 24 and at least
one bayonet portion 25 provided on the side wall 231, wherein the
mounting cavity 26 is formed between the side wall 231 and the
bottom mating portion 24.
[0064] The connection portion 42 of the operating lever is
removably matched within the mounting cavity 26, and the protrusion
43 is removably engaged within the bayonet portion 25.
[0065] The main body 41 of the operating lever and the connection
portion 42 of the operating lever may be integrally formed with
each other, the lateral side 421 of the connection portion 42 of
the operating lever is provided with at least one protrusion 43.
The protrusion 43 extends outwardly, wherein "extend outwardly"
means that the protrusion 43 protrudes by extending toward the
direction away from the connection portion 42 of the operating
lever, in the orientation that the protrusion 43 is perpendicular
to the main body 41 of the operating lever. Two or more protrusions
43 can be symmetrically provided as required, the number of which
corresponds to the number of the bayonet portions 25.
[0066] The connection portion 42 of the operating lever can be
circular or square that matches the shape of the mounting cavity
26. A circular connection portion may have a diameter of 2-18 mm
and a height of 2-10 mm. The main body 41 of the operating lever is
a cylindrical or cuboid rod body. A cylindrical main body may have
a diameter of 1-18 mm and a height of 10-400 mm.
[0067] The structure and construction of the top mating portion 23
have been introduced in detail hereinbefore, which will not be
described redundantly herein.
[0068] The connection portion 42 of the operating lever is
removably matched within the mounting cavity 26, which means that
the connection portion 42 of the operating lever can be mounted and
matched within the mounting cavity 26 and also can be removed from
the mounting cavity 26. The protrusion 43 is removably engaged
within the bayonet portion 25, which means that the protrusion 43
can be engaged within the bayonet portion 25 and also can be
removed from the bayonet portion 25.
[0069] When the operating lever 4 is connected with the top mating
portion 23, the connection portion 42 of the operating lever is
matched within the mounting cavity 26, and the protrusion 43 is
engaged with the bayonet portion 25, so that a tight connection
there between is achieved, in order to conveniently move the pipe
cap 2 into the liquid nitrogen or remove the pipe cap 2 from the
liquid nitrogen. When the operating lever 4 is removed from the top
mating portion 23, the protrusion 43 is disengaged from the bayonet
portion 25, and the connection portion 42 of the operating lever is
pulled out from the mounting cavity 26, to separate the operating
lever from the top mating portion, in order to conveniently place
the pipe cap 2 in the pipe body 1 and cryogenically store the
samples.
[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, the bayonet portion 25 is the
L-shaped bayonet 251, the opening 252 of the L-shaped bayonet 251
is formed on the top face 232 of the side wall 231. The protrusion
43 is engaged within the L-shaped bayonet 25.
[0071] As mentioned previously, for the L-shaped bayonet 251, two
portions are integrally formed into the L-shape. These two portions
are the first portion 254 vertically provided on the side wall 231
and the second portion 255 horizontally provided on the side wall
231. The first portion 254 is communicated to the top face 232 of
the side wall 231, so that the opening 252 of the L-shaped bayonet
251 is formed on the top face 232 of the side wall 231. The second
portion 255, that is transversally arranged, is located on the side
wall 231.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 10, when the connection portion 42 of the
operating lever is inserted into the mounting cavity 26, the
protrusion 43 enters into the bayonet portion 25 from the opening
252. The protrusion 43 first enters into the first portion 254 and
then enters into the second portion 255 by rotating the operating
lever 4, so as to connect the operating lever 4 with the pipe cap 2
together. The protrusion 43 can be removed from the L-shaped
bayonet 251 by rotating the operating lever 4 reversely.
[0073] Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, the tail end of the L-shaped
bayonet 251 also forms the additional bayonet 253 extending towards
the top face 232 of the side wall 231, and the protrusion 43 is
engaged within the additional bayonet 253.
[0074] The tail end of the L-shaped bayonet 251 is a tail end of
the second portion 255. The additional bayonet 253 is integrally
formed on the tail end of the second portion 255, and extends
toward the top face 232. The extending direction is the same as
that in the first portion 254. After the protrusion 43 enters into
the second portion 255, the operating lever 4 can continue to be
rotated, so that the protrusion 43 is on the tail end of the second
portion 255. At this time, the protrusion 43 is tightened in the
additional bayonet 253 by pulling up the operating lever 4 or by an
elastic component provided on the end of the operating lever 4, so
as to tightly connect the operating lever 4 with the pipe cap 2
together.
[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, the connection portion 42 of
the operating lever is also provided with an elastic component 44
which is in a compression state when the connection portion 42 of
the operating lever is matched within the mounting cavity 26, in
order to push the protrusion 43 into the additional bayonet 253, so
that the protrusion 43 is tightened in the bayonet portion 25, so
as to tightly connect the operating lever 4 with the pipe cap 2
together. In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic component 44 is a
spring.
[0076] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the connection portion 13 of the
pipe body is provided between the opening portion 11 and the sleeve
12, and the bottom mating portion 24 is removably connected within
the connection portion 13 of the pipe body, and the top mating
portion 23 covers the opening portion 11 of the pipe body. The
bottom mating portion 24 can be connected with the connection
portion 13 of the pipe body by a connection way such as the thread
connection, the key connection or the pin connection, so that the
bottom mating portion 24 can be mounted in the connection portion
13 of the pipe body, and also can be removed from the connection
portion 13 of the pipe body.
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the sealed cavity 14 is filled
with the refrigerant 3. By placing the refrigerant 3 in the sealed
cavity 14, the sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 outside the liquid
nitrogen can be kept at a low temperature for a period of time. The
refrigerant 3 in the present application is an ultralow temperature
coolant. The ultralow temperature coolant, being a high molecular
polymer which has a plurality of different traits: liquid state,
semi liquid state, all solid state, soft gel state and hard gel
state, can maintain an ultralow temperature from -30.degree. to
-80.degree. for a certain time period. LD10-B1 granular type,
LD10-B2 gel type, LD10-B3 liquid type, LD10-B4 jelly type, LD10-B5
colloid type or LD10-B6 gel type can be the choice for the
refrigerant 3.
[0078] Referring now to FIG. 7, the pipe cap mating portion 21 is
provided with a vent 27 spaced apart from the sample loading rod
22, which runs through upper and lower surfaces of the pipe cap
mating portion 21. The vent 27 is specifically provided on the
bottom mating portion 24, and runs through upper and lower surfaces
of the bottom mating portion 24. The vent 27, spaced apart from the
sample loading rod 22, is not in line with the sample loading rod
22. The vent 27 can be provided on the main body of the bottom
mating portion 24, or also can be provided at the edge of the
bottom mating portion 24. The vent 27 maintains a balance between
the gas-pressure in the sleeve 12 of the pipe body and the pressure
outside, so as to avoid the situation that the pipe cap 2 is pushed
out or the pipe body bursts due to the high pressure in the sleeve
12 of the pipe body when the liquid nitrogen volatilizes, and avoid
the loss of the one or more samples.
[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the storage
groove 221 is in a shape of U or in a shape of V. In use, the
sample is placed within the V-shaped or U-shaped storage groove
221. When the sample loading rod is moved, the one or more samples
are kept within the V-shaped or U-shaped storage groove 221, to
avoid the loss of the one or more samples.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 3, the pipe body 1 is provided with a
marking region 15 where information of the sample to be processed
can be recoded firstly so as to avoid confusion. The marking region
15 may be rectangular or square; and the marking region 15 may be a
transparent coating or a coating with respective color. In an
exemplary embodiment, the coating with white color has an area of
20 mm2-6000 mm2.
[0081] A usage of the sample cryogenic storage device 200 provided
by the present application is as follows:
[0082] 1. filling or pasting the sample information on the marking
region 15 of the pipe body 1;
[0083] 2. tightly connecting the operating lever 4 with the pipe
cap 2 by means of the bayonet portion 25, and removing the pipe cap
2 from the pipe body 1 by the operating lever 4, then the pipe cap
2 being set aside along with the pipe body 1, for waiting to be
used;
[0084] 3. after the sample is processed by a cryoprotective agent,
holding a transferring tool by one hand and holding the operating
lever 4 by the other hand, orienting the storage groove 221 on the
sample loading rod 22 to face towards the operator himself/herself,
and placing the sample and a little amount of the cryoprotective
agent within the storage groove 221 by using the transferring
tool;
[0085] 4. then, holding the operating lever 4 by one hand to
immediately place the whole pipe cap 2 within clean liquid nitrogen
and making sure it remains below the liquid level of the liquid
nitrogen, and then picking up the pipe body 1 with a pair of
tweezers or forceps and placing it below the liquid level of the
liquid nitrogen, standing for some time;
[0086] 5. then, tightly connecting the pipe cap 2 with the pipe
body 1 below the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen;
[0087] 6. and then, taking off the operating lever 4 from the pipe
cap 2, and placing the sample cryogenic storage pipe 100 in a
corresponding storage position with the pair of tweezers or
forceps, and making the respective record.
[0088] By adopting the technical solution mentioned above, the
beneficial effects are as follows:
[0089] In the sample cryogenic storage pipe and sample cryogenic
storage device disclosed above, by arranging the pipe cap in a
one-piece manner, the pipe cap mating portion thereof is integrally
formed with the sample loading rod and there is no gap there
between, and when the pipe cap is taken out of the liquid nitrogen,
residual liquid nitrogen is not trapped in the pipe cap. The sample
cryogenic storage pipe and the sample cryogenic storage device
provided by the present application avoids the defect of the loss
of samples caused by a large amount of bubbles released by the
volatilization of the liquid nitrogen or cracks occurred in the
volatilization of the liquid nitrogen during storage.
[0090] In the sample cryogenic storage pipe and sample cryogenic
storage device disclosed above, by providing a top mating portion
of the pipe cap mating portion with a bayonet portion, the sample
cryogenic storage pipe and the sample cryogenic storage device are
easy to connect with the operating lever. In use, one end of the
operating lever is connected with the bayonet portion, so that it
is convenient for a user to move and operate it.
[0091] By providing a vent, the sample cryogenic storage pipe and
the sample cryogenic storage device maintains a balance between the
gas-pressure in the sleeve of the pipe body and the pressure
outside, so as to avoid the situation that the pipe cap is pushed
out or the pipe body bursts due to high pressure in the sleeve of
the pipe body when the liquid nitrogen volatilizes, and avoids the
loss of the samples.
[0092] By providing the pipe body with a marking region, the sample
cryogenic storage pipe and the sample cryogenic storage device can
avoid the confusion in use.
[0093] To sum up, the sample cryogenic storage pipe and the sample
cryogenic storage device disclosed above where there is no residual
liquid nitrogen have features of simple structure and easy
operation; and height and width of the pipe body and the pipe cap
thereof are reasonable, so that utilization of the cryogenic
storage space can be maximized, and detailed sample information can
be marked in the marking region, which does not cause confusion and
uncertainty.
[0094] The technical solutions mentioned above can be combined as
required to reach best technical effect.
[0095] The foregoing is merely embodiments of the present
application. It should be pointed out that sever other variants
also can be made on the basis of the principle of the present
application, which shall be included in the protection scope of the
present application.
* * * * *