What vials can be used in the CellSeal Thawer?
Both 2ml and 5ml CellSeal Closed-System Cryogenic Vials can be used in the CellSeal Thawer. Vials from other manufacturers are unlikely to be thawed correctly, even if they appear to be a similar size.
What volume can I fill the vials to?
2ml vials can be filled from 0.5ml to 2.0ml. 5ml vials can be filled from 0.5ml to 4.7ml.
How does the CellSeal Thawer work?
The Thawer works by warming vials in precision-machined aluminum ‘chucks’. The chucks achieve good heat transfer by conduction as a result of the accurate fit with the vial and the pressure exerted by the clamping mechanism. Sophisticated control systems monitor six different temperature sensors hundreds of times a second to control the thaw.
How does the CellSeal Thawer detect when thawing is complete?
The system measures the surface temperature of the vial in several places, as well as calculating the amount of energy transferred into the vial from the chucks. The onboard software processes these measurements to determine when thawing is complete.
What is the difference between Gentle mode and Rapid mode?
Gentle mode limits the temperature of all internal parts to a maximum of 37°C making the system inherently safe from risks of heating cells above this temperature.
Rapid mode allows some internal parts to reach 50°C to more closely match water bath thawing allowing for the different heat transfer characteristics of the metal chucks. Control circuits ensure that the core temperature of the vial contents should never exceed 37°C.
How can I be sure my sample has correctly thawed?
The CellSeal Thawer has been designed to warm CellSeal vials from liquid nitrogen or dry-ice storage to the instant that the ice has fully thawed. By ensuring the thawed liquid temperature is a low as a possible, the damaging effects of DMSO-based cryoprotectants at elevated temperatures can be minimised. In the majority of cases the system will eject the vial with a small ice-crystal still briefly visible. This should disappear within 20 seconds of gentle agitation. If no ice crystal is observed, this should be acceptable as the long as the thaw time is within the normal range for this vial and fill combination, and the system has not reported any warnings. If the crystal takes more than 20 seconds to disappear, continue to agitate gently until it has completely melted.
Can the environment affect thawing?
The CellSeal Thawer is designed to work in ambient temperatures from +5°C to +30°C and is not affected by normal air flow e.g. from working in a hood.
Will labels on the vials affect thawing?
The CellSeal Thawer will automatically compensate for the small insulating affect of a typical cryogenic label. Labels which include a tail could jam inside the system and should not be used.
Can the CellSeal Thawer be used in a GMP environment?
The CellSeal Automated Cell Thawing System has been designed to be ready for a GMP environment, but it is the responsibility of the user to appropriately qualify the system within their particular process and to obtain any necessary certifications as required by their local and national regulations.
What are thawing profiles?
Please see our guide to understanding thawing profiles
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