Apparatus and Method for Freezing Biological Samples

Abstract

A biological sample freezing apparatus for freezing biological samples contained in tube-like sample containers ( 10 ). The freezing apparatus comprises a heat transmission block ( 20 ) that is cooled to a predetermined temperature and/or at predetermined cooling rate, the heat transmission block having a plurality of separate openings ( 21 ) that extend through the block ( 20 ) from one end to the other end. One of the sample containers is inserted into and passed through each of the openings ( 21 ).

1 . A biological sample freezing apparatus for freezing biological samples contained in tube-like sample containers, characterized by comprising: 
 a heat transmission block that is cooled to a predetermined temperature and/or at predetermined cooling rate, the heat transmission block having a plurality of separate openings that extend through the block from one end to the other end, each of the openings being formed such that one of the sample containers is inserted into and passed through the opening; and    a movement driving means that causes the sample containers to pass through the openings respectively.    
   
   
       2 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plurality of openings are each formed to have such an inner diameter that a space formed between the inner surface of the opening and the sample container is at least smaller in thickness than the outer diameter of the sample container.  
   
   
       3 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the plurality of openings are each formed such that a space formed between the inner surface of the opening and the sample container is at 5% or less of the outer diameter of the sample container, or at 0.1 mm or less.  
   
   
       4 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the plurality of openings are arranged in parallel with each other and spaced a predetermined interval apart in the heat transmission block.  
   
   
       5 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that provided on one end side of the heat transmission block is a guide table which positions the sample containers respectively along extension axes of the plurality of openings and which guides them into the openings respectively.  
   
   
       6 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the movement driving means comprises a plurality of push rods which push respectively the sample containers in a direction of axes of the openings to move, and a push driving means which causes the plurality of push rods to move in the direction of the axes of the openings at predetermined speed.  
   
   
       7 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the push driving means comprises a stepping motor or a servo motor as its driving source, and in that the freezing apparatus comprises a control means which manages the period and number of drive pulses for the stepping motor or the servo motor, thereby controlling movement speed and amount of the push rods.  
   
   
       8 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that a Peltier device is used as a means for cooling the heat transmission block.  
   
   
       9 . The biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that a plurality of the heat transmission blocks are arranged serially along a direction of movement of the sample containers, and in that the freezing apparatus comprises a plurality of cooling means which each cool a respective one of the heat transmission blocks to a predetermined temperature or at predetermined cooling rate.  
   
   
       10 . A biological sample freezing method for freezing biological samples contained in tube-like sample containers, characterized in that the sample containers are cooled by use of the biological sample freezing apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 .  
   
   
       11 . The biological sample freezing method according to  claim 10 , characterized by comprising the step of causing the sample containers respectively to pass at predetermined speed through openings of a heat transmission block cooled to a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       12 . The biological sample freezing method according to  claim 10 , characterized by comprising the step of causing the sample containers to stay for a predetermined time in openings of a heat transmission block cooled to a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       13 . The biological sample freezing method according to  claim 10 , characterized by comprising the step of causing the sample containers to stay for a predetermined time in openings of a heat transmission block that is being cooled at predetermined cooling rate.  
   
   
       14 . The biological sample freezing method according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the sample containers are cooled by sequentially using two or more heat transmission blocks different in a set condition of temperature.