Ultra-rapid tissue cryopreservation method and apparatus

1. An apparatus for cryogenically cooling and warming a sample of tissue or cellular material, the apparatus comprising:

a) a first thermal block having a means associated therewith for pre-cooling at least a portion of the first thermal block, and having a male sealing member extending therefrom;

b) a second thermal block having a means associated therewith for pre-cooling at least a portion of the second thermal block, and having a female sealing member formed therein matable with the male sealing member;

c) a support for suspending the sample between the first thermal block and second thermal block;

d) a first force applying means for applying a force to the first thermal block so as to move the first thermal block and the second thermal block into proximity; and

e) a chamber for holding the sample, the chamber defined by the first and second thermal blocks and the male sealing member and the female sealing member when the male sealing member is either proximate to or received by the female sealing member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second force applying means for applying a force to the second thermal block.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first and second force applying means are adapted to move the first and second thermal blocks toward each other simultaneously.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first thermal block has a first platen portion wherein the male sealing member substantially surrounds a portion of the first platen portion, and the second thermal block has a second platen portion wherein the female sealing member substantially surrounds a portion of the second platen portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first and second platen portions each have at least a portion having a radius of curvature.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first and second platens are adapted to move toward each other so as to contact a top surface and a bottom surface of the sample container simultaneously, and wherein the first platen portion and second platen portion are pre-cooled prior to movement of the first and second platens towards each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the male sealing member comprises a rim.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the female sealing member comprises a groove adapted to receive the male sealing member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sample container adapted to form a fluid-tight sealed container when placed between the first and second thermal blocks and the male and female sealing members engage each other.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sample container comprises at least two sheets each composed of a thermally conductive material.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the thermally conductive material is adapted to crimp.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising temperature regulating means for cooling or warming at least a portion of the first and second thermal blocks.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the temperature regulating means comprises either at least one liquid, at least one gas or the combination of at least one gas and at least one liquid.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first force applying means comprises a piston having a first end associated with the first thermal block.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first force applying means includes a hydraulic pumping system.

16. A method of cryopreserving a sample of tissue or cellular material, comprising:

a) placing the sample between and in contact with at least two sheets of thermally conductive material;

b) providing a first thermal block, at least a portion of which being pre-cooled, and having a male sealing member and providing a second thermal block, at least a portion of which being pre-cooled, and having a female sealing member;

c) urging the first and second blocks toward each other such that that the sample and at least a portion of the at least two sheets are contacted between the first and second sealing members so that the first and second sealing members crimp a portion of each sheet to form a fluid-tight sealed container including a chamber having the sample disposed therein;

d) cooling at least a portion of the first and second thermal blocks to a desired temperature at a desired rate of cooling;

e) separating the first and second blocks; and,

f) removing the sample in the container.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first and second blocks contact the sheets simultaneously.

18. A method of warming a cryopreserved sample of tissue or cellular material in a container formed according to the method of claim 16 , the method comprising:

a) placing the sample in the container between the first and second thermal blocks;

b) urging the first and second thermal blocks toward each other such that the first and second thermal blocks contact top and bottom surfaces of the container at generally the same time; and,

c) warming at least a portion of the first and second thermal blocks so as to warm the sample in the container to a desired temperature at a desired rate of warming.

19. A method of warming a cryopreserved sample of tissue or cellular material in a container formed according to the method of claim 16 , the method comprising:

a) placing the sample in the container between the first and second thermal blocks;

b) contacting the sample with a heat-conducting fluid prior to being sealed in the container;

c) urging the first and second thermal blocks toward each other such that the first and second thermal blocks contact top and bottom surfaces of the container at generally the same time; and,

d) warming at least a portion of the first and second thermal blocks so as to warm the sample in the container to a desired temperature at a desired rate of warming.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the heat conducting fluid is at least one material selected from the group consisting of thermal pastes, greases, mineral oils, and inert mineral oils containing diamond nanoparticles.