Microsample cryostorage systems and methods

Abstract

A multi-vial assembly for containing a plurality of samples in a cryostorage system includes a plurality of vials each defining a vial chamber to hold a respective sample and coupled together to form an integral vial assembly. The vials are independently removable from the integral vial assembly to permit selective access to the respective samples.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-vial assembly for containing a plurality of samples in a cryostorage system, the multi-vial assembly comprising:
 a plurality of vials each defining a vial chamber to hold a respective sample and coupled together to form an integral vial assembly;   wherein the vials are independently removable from the integral vial assembly to permit selective access to the respective samples.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  wherein the multi-vial assembly is sized to removably and replaceably fit within a microfuge tube slot of a freezer box. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the vial chambers of the vials has a capacity in the range of from about 100 to 200 μl. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  wherein the multi-vial assembly has a height in the range of from about 25 to 48 mm, and a width in the range of from about 8 to 12 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  including a sleeve removably surrounding the integral vial assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 5  including identification indicia on the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 5  further including identification indicia on each of the vials. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  including a support assembly supporting and coupling the vials, the support assembly including at least one support member to receive and hold the vials. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 8  wherein the support assembly holds the vials in fixed relation to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 the support member includes a plurality of first mounting features; 
 the vials each include a second mounting feature configured to engage a respective one of the first mounting features to positively position the vial on the support member; and 
 the first mounting features are one of plugs and sockets, and the second mounting features are the other of plugs and sockets. 
 
     
     
         11 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 the support assembly includes a top support member and a bottom support member engaging upper and lower ends of the vials, respectively; and 
 the top member serves as a closure for the vial chambers of the vials. 
 
     
     
         12 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 9  wherein the support assembly includes a locking member selectively operable to secure the support assembly to the vials and release the support assembly from the vials. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 8  including a sleeve removably surrounding the integral vial assembly and the support assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  wherein the vials are stacked on one another to form the integral vial assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 14  wherein the stacked vials are directly coupled to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 15  wherein:
 the vials each include an integral inner screw thread and an integral outer screw thread; and 
 the stacked vials are directly coupled to one another by threaded engagement between their respective inner and outer screw threads. 
 
     
     
         17 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the stacked vials serves as a closure for the vial chamber of another, immediately adjacent one of the stacked vials. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the vial chambers includes an upper main subchamber and a tapered lower subchamber. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-vial assembly of  claim 1  wherein the vials are formed of polypropylene. 
     
     
         20 . A method for storing and handling a plurality of samples in a cryostorage freezer, the method comprising:
 providing a multi-vial assembly including:
 a plurality of vials each defining a vial chamber to hold a respective sample and coupled together to form an integral vial assembly; 
 wherein the vials are independently removable from the integral vial assembly to permit selective access to the respective samples; 
   placing the samples in respective ones of the vial chambers;   placing the multi-vial assembly in a freezer chamber of a cryostorage freezer; and   selectively removing one or more of the vials from the multi-vial assembly to selectively access the samples placed in the vial chambers of the removed vials.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  including:
 providing a freezer box defining a plurality of microfuge tube slots; 
 seating the multi-vial assembly in one of the microfuge tube slots; 
 removing the multi-vial assembly from the microfuge tube slot; and thereafter 
 removing the one or more of the vials from the multi-vial assembly to selectively access the samples placed in the vial chambers of the removed vials. 
 
     
     
         22 . A microsample cryostorage system for containing a plurality of samples, the microsample cryostorage system comprising:
 a cryostorage freezer having a freezer chamber; and   a multi-vial assembly disposed in the freezer chamber and including:
 a plurality of vials each defining a vial chamber to hold a respective sample and coupled together to form an integral vial assembly; 
 wherein the vials are independently removable from the integral vial assembly to permit selective access to the respective samples. 
   
     
     
         23 . The microsample cryostorage system of  claim 22  including a freezer box disposed in the freezer chamber and defining a plurality of microfuge tube slots, wherein the multi-vial assembly is removably seated within one of the microfuge tube slots.