Development of Special Hardware for Cold Treatment of Biological Material

摘要

The ILK Dresden is currently developing a controlled-rate and cryogen-free freezing unit for preservation of biological specimen at temperatures around -100°C. Normally, liquid nitrogen as a direct coolant [eurocryo Saar] or LN_2-driven freezing units [Sylab] are used for these purposes and temperature levels. Our new unit is designed as a three-stage refrigerant cascade because of the necessity to provide diverse performance parameters at three different temperature levels (pre-cooling, freezing, sub-cooling). This design has the advantage that very efficient and reliable components can be used. Based on a long-time tradition in the development of cryosurgical equipment ILK designs new equipment for pain and cancer treatment. Generally, the tools for cryosurgical applications consist of a wide range of cryoprobes and a uniform and bulky supply unit for LN_2 or N_2O. In contrary to that, the presented LN_2-based system is providing a very modular and portable design. This enables the veterinarian to transport the cryosurgery equipment even at pasture. In operating state, the unit can be used independent from mains supply, powered by a battery. For both developments performance tests are in progress and will be presented. The work has partially been supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology based on a decision of the German Bundestag (KF 2067125KJ1).