Cryogenic vial assemblies

Abstract

Vial assemblies comprise a tubular body and a cap, the cap including a first portion configured to abut a lip of an open end of the tubular body, a threaded portion configured to couple to threading on an internal surface of the tubular body, and a second portion protruding from the threaded portion and extending into a cavity of the tubular body. Methods for storing and removing frozen samples from such vial assemblies are also described.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for preparing a frozen sample, comprising:
 introducing a liquid sample into a cavity of a tubular body;   engaging an open end of the tubular body with a cap to form a sealed vial assembly, wherein the cap comprises:
 a first portion configured to abut a lip of the open end of the tubular body; 
 a threaded portion configured to couple to at least a portion of threading on an internal surface of the tubular body; and 
 a second portion protruding from the threaded portion and extending into the cavity of the tubular body; 
   wherein when the cap is engaged with the open end of the tubular body the second portion of the cap is at least partially immersed in the liquid sample; and   freezing the sealed vial assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein engaging the open end of the tubular body with the cap comprises rotating the cap to engage the threaded portion of the cap to the threading on the internal surface of the tubular body. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the liquid sample comprises a biological sample. 
     
     
         18 . A method for removing a frozen sample from a vial assembly comprising a tubular body and a cap, the method comprising:
 rotating the cap of the vial assembly to disengage a threaded portion of the cap from threading on an internal surface of the tubular body;   wherein rotating the cap causes a second portion of the cap in physical contact with the frozen sample to rotate the frozen sample and at least partially disengage the frozen sample from the internal surface of the tubular body;   removing the cap; and   removing the frozen sample from the vial assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising applying pressure to at least a portion of a closed end of the tubular body, wherein the closed end is configured to compress at least partially upon the application of pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying pressure to at least a portion of the closed end of the tubular body comprises depressing two or more flanges proximate the closed end. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the frozen sample is at least partially attached to the second portion of the cap and removing the frozen sample comprises pulling the cap from the tubular body for a distance sufficient to fully disengage the frozen sample from the tubular body. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the threading on the internal surface of the tubular body extends from the open end to the closed end of the tubular body and wherein removing the frozen sample comprises rotating the cap for a number of revolutions sufficient to disengage the frozen sample from the threading of the tubular body.