Inducing nucleation in sample, preferably biological sample, using external element, comprises providing sample in freezing chamber, providing external element, and cooling and determining temperature of sample in freezing chamber

摘要

Inducing nucleation in a sample, preferably a biological sample, using an external element, comprises providing the sample in a freezing chamber having device for controlled cooling of the freezing chamber and a sensor for measuring the temperature of the sample in the chamber, providing the external element, which is moved automatically and cooled by a refrigeration system to less than 4[deg] C, preferably less than 0[deg] C, and cooling the sample in the freezing chamber and determining the temperature of the sample. The external element is automatically contacted with the sample. Inducing nucleation in a sample, preferably a biological sample, using an external element, comprises (a) providing the sample in a freezing chamber having device for controlled cooling of the freezing chamber and a sensor for measuring the temperature of the sample in the chamber, (b) providing the external element, which is moved automatically and cooled by a refrigeration system to less than 4[deg] C, preferably less than 0[deg] C, and (c) cooling the sample in the freezing chamber and determining the temperature of the sample in the freezing chamber. The external element is automatically contacted with the sample at a predetermined temperature of the sample for inducing the nucleation. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a system for inducing the nucleation in the sample, preferably biological sample, comprising the freezing chamber for receiving the sample having a sensor for measuring the temperature of the sample, a device for contacting the external element cooled to less than 4[deg] C, preferably less than 0[deg] C, having sample in the freezing chamber, and the control unit for controlling the movement of the external element; and (2) a computer program comprising program code means, preferably stored on a machine-readable carrier, for performing the above method, when the computer program is executed on computer.