DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention discloses a method and system for determining a level of cryogenic fluids in a cryogenic container for cooling. More specifically, the present invention discloses a method to determine the level of cryogenic fluids such as liquid N2 etc. in a cryogenic container for transport of temperature sensitive material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Cryogenic containers are typically used to transport biological material (semen, blood, plasma etc.) and non-biological material alike. Typically, cryogenic containers are to be maintained at a specific temperature to ensure the effective storage and transport of the material transported. Often, nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, argon, carbon dioxide and oxygen in liquid form may be used as a medium to effectively cool the cryogenic containers.
[003] For transport of biological material-like semen, blood, and/or plasma, it is often the cryogenic containers that must be maintained at a specific temperature range. Use of liquid nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide are added as a coolant to the cryogenic containers that transport the biological material. However, due to the constant use of the cryogenic containers often the level of the liquid nitrogen and the liquid carbon dioxide decreases over a specific period and often requires a refill of these liquid nitrogen and the liquid carbon dioxide at periodic intervals.
[004] Cryogenic storage is essential in various industries, including dairy, medical, biological research, and industrial applications. Liquid cryogenic solutions are widely used for preserving biological samples and maintaining ultra-low temperatures for sensitive materials. Ensuring a consistent and sufficient level of cryogenic solutions in storage containers is critical to prevent sample degradation, loss, or compromised experimental results.
[005] Determination of the specific intervals to fill the liquid nitrogen and the carbon dioxide levels by using a dipstick may not be an accurate measure and often addition of the liquid coolants may decrease the temperature of storing the biological material and often render the biological material ineffective for its use. For example, storage of bovine animal semen at 15 degrees centigrade or lower increases the effectiveness of stored semen during the artificial insemination process. It is often required to maintain the temperature of the stored bovine animal semen in the range of 5C- 15C. Any minor fluctuation during the storage and transport of the bovine animal semen may render the bovine animal semen ineffective as to the insemination process.
[006] Use of dipsticks may contaminate the coolant and often increase the effective rate of cooling that may be required to be maintained in the cryogenic container.
[007] Accordingly, there is a requirement for determining the level of cryogenic coolants in a cryogenic container in a non-invasive manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In an embodiment, a system to determine a level of cryogenic coolant in a cryogenic container is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of temperature sensors placed in an in-tube and a control unit communicatively coupled to the temperature sensors. The control unit is configured to: determine temperatures at the plurality of sensors at a pre-determined interval; calculate one or more parameters based on the value of the temperatures; check whether one or more determined parameters is greater than a threshold value; and provide an alert for intimating a user.
[009] In one embodiment, the parameters comprises: temperature difference between the plurality of sensors, vapour level of the cryogenic coolant, and an estimated level of cryogenic coolant based on temperature difference and vapour level of the coolant.
[010] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to: determine the temperature at a first sensor and the second sensor of the plurality of sensors at regular intervals of time; track the difference in temperature sensed at the first sensor over a specific period; track the difference in temperature sensed at the second sensor over a specific period; and calculate a current level of the cryogenic coolant based on the difference in temperature between the first sensor and the second sensor. The alert provided is a a visual alert or an audio-based alert or a combination of both.
[011] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to store the values of the temperature difference between the plurality of sensors and the vapour level of the cryogenic coolant at specific periods; train a machine language model based on the values of the temperature difference between the plurality of sensors and the vapour level of the cryogenic coolant; and determine a revised threshold based on the machine language model.
[012] In another embodiment, a method of determining a level of cryogenic coolant in a cryogenic container is disclosed. The method comprises: calculating, by the control unit, one or more parameters based on the value of the temperatures; checking, by the control unit, whether one or more determined parameters is greater than a threshold value; and alerting, by the control unit, a user as to the level of the coolant present in the container.
[013] In another embodiment, a cap device for a cryogenic container is disclosed. The cap device comprises: a top portion configured to hold a circuitry; a sealant cap configured to seal the cryogenic container, wherein the sealant cap comprises a plurality of locking mechanisms configured to clasp onto a protrusion or a clip on the cryogenic container; a stem attached to the sealant cap and configured to absorb excess vapour from the cryogenic coolant and seal the cryogenic container; an in-tube configured to house a plurality of temperature sensors configured to come in contact with the cryogenic coolant and a control unit configured to calculating, by the control unit, one or more parameters based on the value of the temperatures; checking, by the control unit, whether one or more determined parameters is greater than a threshold value; and alerting, by the control unit, a user as to the level of the coolant present in the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[014] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference features and modules.
Figure 1A illustrates a cryogenic cap for a cryogenic container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1B illustrates a cryogenic cap for a cryogenic container in a perspective view according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1C illustrates an expanded view of the cryogenic cap device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the internal components of the cryogenic cap device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart for cryogenic cap device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[015] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[016] The example embodiments will be described in detail here, and examples thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following descriptions refer to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The implementations described in the following example embodiments do not represent all the implementations consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of the apparatus and method consistent with some aspects of the present invention as detailed in the appended claims.
[017] The terms used in the embodiments of the disclosure are only for the purpose of describing embodiments but should not be construed to limit the embodiments of the disclosure. As used in the description of the present disclosure and the appended claims, “a” and “the” in singular forms mean including plural forms, unless clearly indicated in the context otherwise. It should also be understood that, as used herein, the term “and/or” represents and contains any one and all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.
[018] It should be further understood that, although terms such as “first,” “second” and “third” are used herein for describing various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used for distinguishing one element from another element. For example, first information may also be called second information, and similarly, the second information may also be called the first information, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.
[019] It should be noted that in this application articles “a,” “an” and “the” are used to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. The terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included. It is not intended to be construed as “consists of only.” Throughout this specification defined above, unless the context requires otherwise the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. The term “including” is used to mean “including but not limited to.” “Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably. In the structural formulae given herein and throughout the present disclosure, the following terms have been indicated meaning, unless specifically stated otherwise.
[020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the disclosure, including technical and scientific terms, have meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included for better understanding of the present disclosure. The term ‘about’ as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±10% or less, preferably ±5% or less, more preferably ±1% or less and still more preferably ±0.1% or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations are appropriate to perform the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the value to which the modifier ‘about’ refers is itself also specifically, and preferably disclosed.
[021] It should be noted that in this application, the term such as "example" or "for example" or “exemplary” is used to represent giving an example, an illustration, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" or "for example" in this application should not be explained as being preferable or having more advantages than another embodiment or design scheme. Exactly, use of the word such as "example" or "for example" is intended to present a related concept in only a specific manner.
[022] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present subject matter that "B corresponding to A" indicates that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should be further understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined based on only A. B may alternatively be determined based on A and/or other information.
[023] In the embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more than two. Descriptions such as "first", "second" in the embodiments of this application are merely used for indicating and distinguishing between described objects, do not show a sequence, do not indicate a specific limitation on a quantity of devices in the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute any limitation on the embodiments of this application.
[024] The disclosure is about a method and a device to determine the level of cryogenic coolant liquid in a cryogenic container. A cryogenic container is a container that holds a cryogenic coolant liquid, to cool the container to store biological and non-biological samples. Typically, the cryogenic container maintains the temperature inside the container using cryogenic coolant liquid. Cryogenic coolant liquids like liquid Nitrogen, liquid carbon dioxide, liquid hydrogen, liquid helium, liquid neon, liquid fluorine, liquid argon, liquid methane etc. Often, the level of liquid in the cryogenic coolant liquids must be maintained at a constant level to ensure preservation of the sample stored inside the cryogenic container. These samples may be required to be maintained in a specific temperature range to ensure effectiveness of the sample and to preserve the sample from any material decay and/or losses.
[025] In one embodiment, a device to determine the level of the cryogenic coolant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device is enclosed in a cap or covering embodiment of the cryogenic container. In another embodiment, the device is enclosed and implemented as a part of the storage portion of the cryogenic container.
[026] Figure 1 illustrates device 100 to determine the level of the cryogenic coolant implemented in a cap of a cryogenic coolant container (not shown). The device 100 has a top portion 110 shaped as a dome, a sealant cap 120, a stem 130 and an in-tube 140.The dome 110 is an enclosed space that holds the circuitry that enables the device 100 to work/function/operate. In one embodiment, dome 110 may be metal based with an internal plastic coating. In one embodiment, the dome 110 may be lined or the circuitry may be enclosed in a specialized material to ensure no damage to the circuit. The dome 110 is structurally connected to a sealant cap 120. The sealant cap 120 is made of a suitable material that clasps onto the cryogenic container. In one embodiment, the sealant cap 120 has clasping mechanisms built in place that enables sealing the cryogenic container once the cap is closed. A stem 130 is attached to the sealant cap 120 that enables absorption of excess vapour and perform effective sealing. An in-tube 140 is attached to the sealant cap 120. In one embodiment, the in-tube 140 comes in contact with the cryogenic liquid present in the cryogenic container. In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors is placed inside the in-tube 140 and the placement of the sensors and the distance between the sensors enables accurate measurement of the level of the cryogenic liquid inside the cryogenic containers.
[027] Figure 1B illustrates a perspective view of device 100 to determine the level of the cryogenic coolant implemented in a cap of a cryogenic coolant container (not shown). The device shows top portion 110 placed on a sealant cap 120. The sealant cap 120 shows locking mechanisms 122A and 122B. In one embodiment, the locking mechanisms 122A and 122B clasps onto a clip or a protrusion on the cryogenic container (not shown). A stem 130 is attached to the sealant cap 120 that enables absorption of excess vapour and perform effective sealing. An in-tube 140 is attached to the sealant cap 120. In one embodiment, the in-tube 140 comes in contact with the cryogenic liquid present in the cryogenic container. In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors is placed inside the in-tube 140 and the placement of the sensors and the distance between the sensors enables accurate measurement of the level of the cryogenic liquid inside the cryogenic containers.
[028] Figure 1C shows an exploded view of dome 110. The dome 110 shows two slots 112A and 112B that correspond to the locking mechanisms 122A, 122B and enables connection of certain sensors. An enclosure 115 is present as a notch inside the dome 110 enables storage of circuitry (not shown), battery source (not shown) and essential wiring (not shown). In one embodiment, a safety plate or a safety layer is added to the dome 110 to isolate the circuitry (not shown), battery source (not shown) and essential wiring (not shown). The manner in which device 100 determines level of cryogenic coolant in a cryogenic container is explained with Figure 2 below.
[029] Figure 2 illustrates the internal system architecture of the system used to implement the invention as disclosed above. The system200 has an I/O unit 210, sensor 220, storage unit 230, control unit 250, an AI/ML unit 240 and power source 260. The device 200 is powered by a power source (260) comprising a battery pack or a battery (not shown). In one embodiment, the battery pack or the battery is a rechargeable battery that may be charged using a charging device such as a charging adapter connected to a power source of AC/DC current. Typically, sensors 220 contains different types of sensors based on the requirement. In one embodiment, the sensors 220 may be a combination of temperature sensors and/or vapour sensors. The Input/Output (I/O) unit 210 enables transfer of data between one or more devices. In one embodiment, the I/O unit 210 has a Bluetooth connectivity means to transmit sensed data. In one embodiment, the I/O unit 210 has an internet gateway to connect to the internet and transmit data. In one embodiment, the I/O unit has a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port to receive a USB device to transfer data or input relevant data. The control unit 250 processes the data received via sensors 220 and stores the data in storage 230. In one embodiment, the sensed data via control unit 250 is processed in an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) unit 240 and then stored in the storage unit 230. In one embodiment, the AI/ML unit 240 is optimized for performing modelling of the sensed data and store it in the storage unit 230. In one embodiment, the AI/ML unit 240 determines an optimal threshold level for each of the cryogenic coolant that may be used. In one embodiment, a user may indicate a specific type of cryogenic coolant and the temperature of the sample to be maintained at. The AI/ML unit 240 based on the sensed data may determine an optimal threshold for the alert and the refill of the coolant for the specific cryogenic coolant.
[030] In an example, the cryogenic container is filled with cryogenic coolant for transportation of animal semen for an artificial insemination exercise. The animal semen (sample) is placed inside the cryogenic container and then the cryogenic container is filled with the cryogenic coolant. A cryogenic coolant like liquid N2 may be used. On filling the container with cryogenic coolant, the sample may be placed inside the container and then the container is ready for transportation on sealing the said container with the cap device.
[031] The user may typically provide the optimal temperature to maintain the semen sample and the amount of N2 present in the container. Based on the opening and closing of the container, there is a reduction in the level of N2 and there is a degradation of the level of N2 even if the container is not opened. Based on the temperature difference between the sensors for a specified period of time and a vapour rate of the liquid N2 is calculated. Based on the vapour rate and temperature difference, the level of liquid N2 is calculated and compared as to the threshold level of the liquid N2 present. On reaching a specific level of N2, an alert is provided to the user.
[032] In one embodiment, the I/O unit 210 enables connection to a specialized application designed to connect to device 200. The specialized application is configured to work in a computing device, including handheld computing devices. In one embodiment, the connection between the computing device and device 200 is via Bluetooth or the gateway. In another embodiment, the device 200 enables transmission of data via the I/O unit 210 to a computing data collection platform that enables analytics, reporting, and integration with other software portals such as laboratory information management systems (LIMS). In one embodiment, device 200 has an in-built display unit (not shown) with the I/O unit 210 that provides alerts and a current level of the cryogenic coolant available in the cryogenic container. In one embodiment, device 200 provides a visual representation of when a refill of the cryogenic coolant is required to be provided based on the current level of the cryogenic coolant. In one embodiment, the alerts are provided via the mobile applications as well as the visual display unit in the device 200. In one embodiment, the AI/ML unit 240 is based on the sensed data models and builds specific alert mechanisms and techniques for different types of the material that is stored in the cryogenic containers. In one embodiment, the AI/ML unit 240 determines different levels of alerts to be provided and the mode of alerts as to the alert devices as well as the software platform providing the alerts. In one embodiment, a level of cryogenic coolant present, the level of cryogenic coolant to be filled up to maintain optimal temperature is provided to the user while an alert is provided to the user.
[033] The manner in which the alerts/alarm trigger is performed is explained below. The device 200 is placed on the cryogenic container containing a sample that needs to be stored in a specific temperature range. For example, a sample of semen, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, amniotic fluid, stem cells, embryo, bone marrow fluid, tissue cultures etc. are stored in cryogenic containers. The device 200 clasps onto a cryogenic container and monitors the temperature inside the cryogenic container via sensors 220. Based on the measurements of the temperature inside the cryogenic container, device 200 checks the temperature inside the cryogenic container and calculates certain essential parameters. For example, the temperature difference between the sensed temperatures from the sensors 220 for a specific period, vapour rate of the cryogenic liquid etc. are calculated. Then control unit 250 checks whether the calculated parameters are above or equal to a threshold. If the calculated parameters and/or the temperature is higher than the threshold, an alarm or an alert is triggered. If the threshold is not reached, the device 200 calculates the essential parameters based on the current temperature. In one embodiment, the control unit 250 stores the measured values as well as the calculated parameters to the storage unit 230 and the AI/ML unit 240 for modelling the data. Based on the data models, the AI/ML unit 240 may determine new alert/ alarm triggers.
[034] Figure 3 illustrates a method for determining the level of cryogenic coolant in a cryogenic container. At step 310, the sensors check the temperature present in the cryogenic container. At step 320, one or more essential parameters are calculated. In one embodiment, the temperature difference between the sensed temperatures from the sensors 220 for a specific period, vapour rate of the cryogenic liquid etc. are calculated. At step 330, the calculated parameters and temperature levels are checked with the threshold parameter levels and the temperature levels. If the calculated parameters and temperature levels are higher than or equal to the threshold parameter levels, an alert is triggered. Based on the value of the parameters and the temperature, an alarm is triggered. If the temperature and/or the parameters are less than the threshold, the control passes to step 320 for the next set of values. In one embodiment, the calculated parameters and the measured temperature data are stored and modelled. Based on the stored parameters and the temperature data, a model for alert trigger and alarm trigger may be developed.
[035] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the substance of the invention may occur to person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1.A system to determine a level of cryogenic coolant in a cryogenic container, the system comprising:
a plurality of temperature sensors (220) placed inside an in-tube (140), wherein the in-tube is configured to come in contact with a cryogenic coolant;
a control unit (250) communicatively coupled to the temperature sensors, wherein the control unit is configured to:
determine temperatures at the plurality of sensors at a pre-determined interval;
calculate one or more parameters based on the value of the temperatures;
check whether one or more determined parameters is greater than a threshold value; and
provide an alert for intimating a user.

2.The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprises temperature difference between the plurality of sensors, vapour level of the cryogenic coolant, and an estimated level of cryogenic coolant based on temperature difference and vapour level of the coolant.

3.The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to:
determine the temperature at a first sensor and the second sensor of the plurality of sensors at regular intervals of time;
track the difference in temperature sensed at the first sensor over a specific period;
track the difference in temperature sensed at the second sensor over a specific period; and
calculate a current level of the cryogenic coolant based on the difference in temperature between the first sensor and the second sensor.

4.The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert is a visual alert or an audio-based alert or a combination of both.

5.The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert is provided on a mobile device of a user or on a display of the cryogenic container.

6.The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (250) is configured to:
store the values of the temperature difference between the plurality of sensors and the vapour level of the cryogenic coolant at specific periods;
train a machine language model based on the values of the temperature difference between the plurality of sensors and the vapour level of the cryogenic coolant; and
determine a revised threshold based on the machine language model.

7.The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert provided to the user indicates a level of cryogenic coolant present, the level of cryogenic coolant to be filled up to maintain optimal temperature.

8.A method of determining a level of cryogenic coolant in a cryogenic container, the method comprising:
determining, by a control unit, temperatures at the plurality of sensors at a pre-determined interval;
calculating, by the control unit, one or more parameters based on the value of the temperatures;
checking, by the control unit, whether one or more determined parameters is greater than a threshold value; and
alerting, by the control unit, a user as to the level of the coolant present in the container.

9.The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein calculating, by the control unit, one or more parameters based on the value of the temperatures, comprises:
determining the temperature at a first sensor and the second sensor of the plurality of sensors at regular intervals of time;
tracking the difference in temperature sensed at the first sensor over a specific period;
tracking the difference in temperature sensed at the second sensor over a specific period; and
calculating a current level of the cryogenic coolant based on the difference in temperature between the first sensor and the second sensor.

10.The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein checking, by the control unit, whether one or more determined parameters is greater than a threshold value
storing the values of the temperature difference between the plurality of sensors and the vapour level of the cryogenic coolant at specific periods;
training a machine language model based on the values of the temperature difference between the plurality of sensors and the vapour level of the cryogenic coolant; and
determining a revised threshold based on the machine language model.

11.The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein alerting, by the control unit, a user as to the level of the coolant present in the container, comprises:
providing an audio alert or a visual alert or a combination of both, wherein the alert is provided on a user device or on a display of the cryogenic container, wherein the alert

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the alert comprises details of the amount of cryogenic coolant to be added to the cryogenic container to maintain an optimal temperature inside the cryogenic container.

13.A cap device for a cryogenic container, comprising:
a top portion (110) configured to hold a circuitry;
a sealant cap (120) configured to seal the cryogenic container, wherein the sealant cap (120) comprises a plurality of locking mechanisms (122A, 122B) configured to clasp onto a protrusion or a clip on the cryogenic container;
a stem (130) attached to the sealant cap (120) and configured to absorb excess vapour from the cryogenic coolant and seal the cryogenic container;
an in-tube (140) configured to house a plurality of temperature sensors configured to come in contact with the cryogenic coolant; and
the circuitry comprising a control unit (250) configured to perform the method steps of any of the method claims 8-11.

14.The cap device for a cryogenic container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stem (140) covers a portion of the in-tube (130), wherein the in-tube (130) houses a plurality of sensors and comes in contact with the cryogenic coolant.

Dated this 25th day of July 2024

Atsuya Technologies Pvt. Ltd
By their Agent & Attorney

(Adheesh Nargolkar)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1086