BUNG FOR INSULATING A CONTAINER AND COOLING METHODS
Disclosed herein is a device in the form of a bung for insulating a container interior from the ambient environment, the bung comprising: a plurality of insulating segments; and one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation. Disclosed is: a method of preparing a shipping system for retaining a cryopreserved sample, the method comprising: loading a cryopreserved sample into a container such as a vacuum flask; and fitting the bung to the container to insulate the container interior from the ambient environment, and a method of cooling a container, such as a vacuum flask, for retaining cryopreserved samples to a desired temperature, the method comprising: cooling the container interior by pouring a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen into the container; and emptying the cryogenic fluid from the container, once the cooling has at least partially taken place.
1 . Apparatus for sterilising a container, the apparatus comprising:
a container for retaining cryopreserved samples;
at least one ultra-violet light source arranged to irradiate at least a portion of the interior of the container with ultra-violet light; and
a device for closing an open end of the container, wherein the ultra-violet light source is located in the device.
2 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises:
a first portion arranged to fit within an open end of the container when the device is attached to the container, wherein the at least one ultra-violet light source is located in the first portion; and
a second portion arranged to contact the ends of the walls of the container at the open end of the container when the device is fitted to the container.
3 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one insulating segment.
4 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises:
a plurality of insulating segments; and
one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation.
5 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat engine attached to the device.
6 . Apparatus according claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism arranged to lock the device to the container.
7 . Apparatus for sterilising a container, the apparatus comprising:
a container for retaining cryopreserved samples, the container comprising walls and a base; and
at least one ultra-violet light source arranged to irradiate at least a portion of the interior of the container with ultra-violet light;
wherein the ultra-violet light source is provided on or within the walls or the base of the container.
8 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the interior of the container is reflective to the ultra-violet light from the at least one ultra-violet light source.
9 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a receptacle for receiving a cryopreserved sample, wherein the receptacle is opaque to ultra-violet light.
10 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller arranged to control the operation of the at least one ultra-violet light source.
11 . Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is arranged to adjust at least one of: the electrical power supplied to the at least one ultra-violet light source; the irradiation time of the at least one ultra-violet light source; and the wavelength of ultra-violet light emitted by the at least one ultra-violet light source.
12 . Apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising a transceiver arranged to receive instructions for the controller.
13 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a detector arranged to detect ultra-violet light from the at least one ultra-violet light source.
14 . Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultra-violet light source comprises a plurality of ultra-violet light sources, wherein the plurality of ultra-violet light sources are located in a circumferential pattern.
15 . A method of sterilising a container for retaining cryopreserved samples, the method comprising:
irradiating the interior of the container with ultra-violet light, wherein: the interior of the container is irradiated using at least one ultra-violet light source provided on or within a wall or a base of the container; and/or the interior of the container is irradiated using at least one ultra-violet light source located in a device for closing an open end of the container; and
ceasing the irradiation of the interior of the container after expiry of an irradiation time period.
16 . A method according to claim 15 , wherein the device comprises a heat engine and the method further comprises removing heat from the interior of the container.
17 . A method according to claim 16 , wherein the container is irradiated while heat is being removed from the interior of the container.
18 . A method according to claim 15 , further comprising loading a cryopreserved sample into the container, wherein the interior of the container is irradiated while the cryopreserved sample is in the container.
19 . A method according to claim 15 , further comprising cooling the interior of the container to a desired temperature.
20 . A method according to claim 15 , further comprising taking a sample from the interior of the container after ceasing the irradiation of the interior of the container.