Plastic Capillaries Research Articles

Early age and long‐term properties of mortars containing metakaolin and limestone powder as SCMs

AbstractIn this study we focus on the development of plastic shrinkage and capillary pore pressure on mortars containing metakaolin and limestone powder as cement replacement. Isothermal calorimetry was also used to compliment the early age properties of the investigated mortars. Strength development and phase assemblage using thermal analysis were also investigated. Five different replacement levels of metakaolin and LSP and two different amounts of SP were used. Our data show that the shrinkage strain values increased as the amount of SCMs increased, while capillary pressure showed a mixed trend. The hydration kinetics did not appear to be influenced much from the SCMs used. Strength development improved in general when metakaolin was used while decreasing when LSP was added, as already expected. The TGA data show an increase in the consumption of portlandite as the amount of SCMs was increased.

Biomechanical determinants of endothelial permeability assessed in standard and modified hollow-fibre bioreactors.

Effects of mechanical stress on the permeability of vascular endothelium are important to normal physiology and in the development of atherosclerosis. Here we elucidate novel effects using commercially available and modified hollow-fibre bioreactors, in which endothelial cells form confluent monolayers lining plastic capillaries with porous walls, contained in a cartridge. The capillaries were perfused with a near-aortic waveform, and permeability was assessed by the movement of rhodamine-labelled albumin from the intracapillary to the extracapillary space. Permeability was increased by acute application of shear stress and decreased by chronic shear stress compared with a static control: this has previously been shown only for multidirectional flows. Increasing viscosity reduced permeability under both acute and chronic shear; since shear rate remained unchanged, these effects resulted from altered shear stress. Reducing pulsatility increased permeability, contrary to the widely held assumption that flow which is highly oscillatory causes endothelial dysfunction. Chronic convection across the monolayer increased effective permeability more than could be explained by the addition of advective transport, contrary to results from previous acute experiments. The off-the-shelf and modified bioreactors provide an excellent tool for investigating the biomechanics of endothelial permeability and have revealed novel effects of flow duration, viscosity, pulsatility and transmural flow.

X-ray 3D Imaging of Low-Density Laser-Target Materials

Achieving optimal design and precise control of the internal structure of laser-target materials are the primary objectives in various laser physics experiments, particularly in generating high flux photon and neutron beams. The study of low-density materials poses considerable challenges for X-ray analysis due to their high transparency and minimal contrast. In this study, to obtain clear visualization of foams with sparse structures, we used phase-contrast X-ray tomography, utilizing a high-quality monochromatic X-ray beam from the synchrotron radiation source PETRA-III at DESY. Employing phase-contrast algorithms, the 3D structure of a foam-suspended glass microsphere inside the plastic cylinder was reconstructed with a level of image quality sufficient to visualize uniformity, displacement, and surface roughness on both sides of the microsphere. The primary focus of this investigation was a CH plastic capillary including 10 mg/cc CHO foam with a glass microsphere positioned at the center. The results of this study demonstrate that phase-contrast X-ray tomography with coherent synchrotron radiation is an effective and valuable technique for the development of new laser targets containing structured low-density materials.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenators with light-diffusing fibers for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning: Experiments, mathematical modeling, and performance assessment with unit cells.

Two small unit-cell p-ECMO devices consisted of a plastic capillary with a length and inside diameter of 10 cm and 1.15 mm, respectively. Either five (4-1 device) or seven (6-1 device) gas exchange tubes were placed in the plastic capillary and a light-diffusing fiber was inserted into one of the gas exchange tubes. Light from lasers emitting either 635 nm or 465 nm wavelengths was coupled into the light-diffusing fiber as oxygen flowed through the gas exchange membranes. To assess the ability of the device to remove CO from blood in vitro, the percent COHb reduction in a single pass through the device was assessed with and without light. The Navier Stokes equations, Carreau-Yesuda model, Boltzman equation for light distribution, and hemoglobin kinetic rate equations, including photo-dissociation, were combined in a mathematical model to predict COHb elimination in the experiments. For the unit-cell devices, the COHb removal rate increases with increased 635 nm laser power, increased blood time in the device, and greater gas exchange membrane surface-to-blood volume ratio. The 6-1 device COHb half-life versus that of the 4-1 device with 4 W at 635 nm light was 1.5 min versus 4.25 min, respectively. At 1 W laser power, 635 nm and 465 nm exhibited similar CO removal rates. The COHb half-life times of the 6-1 device were 1.25, 2.67, and 8.5 min at 635 nm (4 W), 465 nm (1 W), and 100% oxygen only, respectively. The mathematical model predicted the experimental results. An analysis of the in vivo COHb half-life of oxygen respiration therapy versus an adjunct therapy with a p-ECMO device and oxygen respiration shows a reduction from 90 min to as low as 10 min, depending on the device design. In this study, we experimentally studied and developed a mathematical model of a small unit-cell ECMO device integrated with a light-diffusing fiber illuminated with laser light. The unit-cell device forms the basis for a larger device and, in an adjunct therapy with oxygen respiration, has the potential to remove COHb at much higher rates than oxygen therapy alone. The mathematical model can be used to optimize the design in practical implementations to quickly and efficiently remove CO from CO-poisoned blood.

Microcapillary Reactors via Coaxial Electrospinning: Fabrication of Small Poly(Acrylic Acid) Gel Beads and Thin Threads of Biological Cell Dimensions.

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) bulk gels and threads, typically derived via free-radical polymerization, are of interest as anionic polyelectrolyte mimics of cellular cytosol and as models for early protocells. The thread dimensions have been limited by the diameters of readily-available glass or plastic capillaries, and threads with diameters of less than 50 µm have been difficult to achieve. Here, we report a useful approach for achieving crosslinked, partially neutralized PAA, namely poly(acrylate), gel threads with diameters of a few microns when dry. This technique utilizes coaxial electrospinning to effectively produce capillaries (shells) of polystyrene loaded with a gel-forming precursor mixture composed of 3 M acrylic acid, methylene-bisacrylamide, potassium persulfate and 2.2 M NaOH in the core, followed by thermally-induced polymerization and then the removal of the polystyrene shell. Relatively long (up to 5 mm), continuous PAA threads with thicknesses of 5–15 µm are readily obtained, along with a multitude of PAA gel particles, which result from the occasional break-up of the fluid core prior to gel formation during the electrospinning process. The threads and beads are of the sizes of interest to model ancient protocells, certain functional aspects of excitable cells, such as myocytes and neurons, and various membraneless organelles.

Capillary Effect Enhancement in a Plastic Capillary Tube by Nanostructured Surface.

We investigated the enhancement of the capillary effect in a plastic capillary tube using only a nanostructured surface. Since plastic is a hydrophobic material, the capillary effect does not emerge without an additional coating or plasma treatment process. Therefore, capillary effect enhancement by the nanostructure fabrication method is expected to reduce the cost and minimise the contamination produced in the human body. By combining a hydrophilic nylon resin and a nanostructure at the tip of the plastic pipette, we could confirm that the capillary effect was produced solely by the tube fabrication process. The produced capillary effect increased linearly with increasing nanostructure height when a standard solution with a surface tension of 70 mN·m−1 was used. Thus, we can conclude that including the plastic part with nanostructure can be useful for biomedical applications. In addition, we suggest that the proposed method is highly effective in controlling the wetting properties of plastic surfaces, compared to the typical coating or plasma treatment processes.

Absorbed dose distributions from beta-decaying radionuclides: Experimental validation of Monte Carlo tools for radiopharmaceutical dosimetry.

This study aims to experimentally validate the Monte Carlo generated absorbed doses from the beta particles emitted by 90 Y and 177 Lu using radiochromic EBT3 film-based dosimetry. Line sources of 90 Y and 177 Lu were inserted longitudinally through blocks of low-density polyethylene and tissue-equivalent slabs of cortical bone and lung equivalent plastics. Radiochromic film (Gafchromic EBT3) was laser cut to accommodate orthogonal line sources of radioactivity, and the film was sandwiched intimately between the rectangular blocks to achieve charged particle equilibrium. Line sources consisted of plastic capillary tube of length (13±0.1)cm, with 0.42-mm inner diameter and a wall thickness of 0.21mm. 90 Y line sources were prepared from a solution of dissolved 90 Y resin microspheres. 177 Lu line sources were prepared from an aliquot of 177 Lu-DOTATATE. Film exposures were conducted for durations ranging from 10min to 38h. Radiochromic film calibration was performed by irradiation with 6-MV-bremsstrahlung x rays from a calibrated linear accelerator, in accordance with literature recommendations. Experimental geometries were precisely simulated within the GATE Monte Carlo toolkit, which has previously been used for the generation of dose point kernels. The mean percentage difference between measured and simulated absorbed doses were 5.04% and 7.21% for 90 Y and 177 Lu beta absorbed dose in the range of (0.1-10)Gy. Additionally, 1D gamma analysis using a local 10%/1mm gamma criterion was performed to compare the absorbed dose distributions. The percentage of measurement points passing the gamma criterion, averaged over all tests, was 93.5%. We report the experimental validation of Monte Carlo derived beta absorbed dose distributions for 90 Y and 177 Lu, solidifying the validity of using Monte Carlo-based methods for estimating absorbed dose from beta emitters. Overall, excellent agreement was observed between the experimental beta absorbed doses in the linear region of the radiochromic film and the GATE Monte Carlo simulations demonstrating that radiochromic film dosimetry has sufficient sensitivity and spatial resolution to be used as a tool for measuring beta decay absorbed dose distributions.

Evaluation of blood collection methods and anticoagulants for platelet function analyses on C57BL/6J laboratory mice

The exploration of thrombotic mechanisms relies on the application of blood collection methods from laboratory mice with a minimal pre-activation of platelets and the clotting system. So far, very little is known on how the blood collection method and the anticoagulant used influence pre-activation of mouse platelets and coagulation. To determine the most suitable blood collection method, we systematically compared blood collection by heart puncture, Vena cava puncture, and puncture of the retro-orbital vein plexus and the use of citrate, heparin, and EDTA as frequently used anticoagulants with regard to platelet activation and whole blood clotting parameters. The activation of platelet-rich plasma diluted in Tyrode’s buffer was analyzed by flow cytometry, analyzing the exposure of P-selectin and activated integrin αIIbβ3. Clotting of whole blood was profiled by thrombelastometry. Puncture of the retro-orbital vein plexus by plastic capillaries is not superior in terms of blood volume and platelet pre-activation, whereas heart puncture and Vena cava puncture resulted in similarly high blood volumes. Cardiac puncture and Vena cava puncture did not result in pre-activated platelets with citrate as an anticoagulant, but the use of EDTA resulted in increased levels of integrin αIIbβ3 activation. Puncture of the retro-orbital vein plexus by plastic capillaries resulted in increased platelet integrin αIIbβ3 activation, which could be prevented by soaking with citrate or coating with heparin. Further, activation of coagulation in citrated whole blood by puncture of the retro-orbital vein plexus using a blunt plastic capillary was observed by thromboelastometry. The use of citrate is the optimal anticoagulant in mouse platelet assays. Blood collections from the heart or Vena cava represent reliable alternatives to retro-orbital puncture of the vein plexus to avoid pre-activation of platelets and coagulation.

Visual aptamer-based capillary assay for ethanolamine using magnetic particles and strand displacement.

This work describes an aptamer-based capillary assay for ethanolamine (EA). It is making use of strand displacement format and magnetic particles. The capillary tubes are coated with three layers, viz. (a) first with short oligonucleotides complementary to the aptamer (EA-comp.); (b) then with magnetic particles (Dynabeads) coated with EA-binding aptamer (EA-aptamer), and (c) with short oligonucleotide-coated magnetic particles (EA-comp.). On exposure to a sample containing ethanolamine, the DNA-coated magnetic particles are released and subsequently collected and spatially separated using a permanent magnet. This results in the formation of a characteristic black/brown spots. The assay has a visual limit of detection of 5nM and only requires 5min of incubation. Quantification is possible through capture and analysis of digital (RGB) photos in the 5 to 75nM EA concentration range. Furthermore, results from tap water and serum spiked with EA samples showed that the platform performs well in complex samples and can be applied to real sample analysis. The combined use of plastic capillaries, visual detection and passive flow make the method suited for implementation into a point-of-care device. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the capillary assay steps.

Investigation of Oligoclonal IgG Bands in Tear Fluid of Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background: Oligoclonal IgG bands (OCB) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represent a typical marker for inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and have a predictive and diagnostic value in patients with a first suspected demyelinating event. The detection in tears remains controversial but some reports suggested a replacement of CSF analysis by OCB detection in tears. We aimed to investigate the value of OCB detection in tears systematically in patients with MS.Methods: Tears of 59 patients with suspected or diagnosed MS were collected with Schirmer filter paper strips. Tear IgG was purified by affinity chromatography with protein G. After isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels OCB detection was performed with direct silver staining. Paired triplets of CSF, serum, and tears were analyzed. For comparison purposes we additionally used other tear collection methods (flush procedure and plastic capillary tubes) or detection techniques (Immunoblotting). Clinical and paraclinical parameters are provided.Results: IgG collection in tears was most reliable by using Schirmer strips. Thirteen patients had to be excluded due to insufficient sample material. Tear specific proteins that interfered with OCB detection were successfully eliminated by IgG purification. The concordance of OCB in tears and CSF of all investigated MS patients was 39% with a high rate of only marginal pattern in tears. Five patients demonstrated restricted bands in tears, neither detectable in CSF nor serum. Occurrence of OCB in tears was significantly associated with pathological visual evoked potentials (P = 0.0094) and a history of optic neuritis (P = 0.0258).Conclusion: Due to the limited concordance, high rate of samples with insufficient material, and the unknown origin of tear IgG we cannot recommend that tear OCB detection may replace CSF OCB detection in MS patients. The detection of unique OCB in tears might offer new insights in ophthalmological diseases.

Multiworking Electrode Flexible Fiber-Type Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells

Flexible fiber-type CdS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (CdS FF-QDSSCs), in which all the components are assembled into a flexible plastic capillary tube, are designed and fabricated. In each FF-QDSSC, a Pt wire along the capillary tube axis acts as the counter electrode. A number of surrounding Ti wires coated with CdS-sensitized ZnO nanorods act as the working electrodes. This design provides the cells with good flexibility and all-direction light harvesting capability. The photovoltaic performances of the FF-QDSSCs can be effectively improved by increasing the number of the working electrodes up to six. The conversion efficiency of the cell with six working electrodes (FF-QDSSC-6) is more than five times that of the cell with only one working electrode. Furthermore, for simultaneously illuminating the cell from all the directions perpendicular to the capillary tube, an Al reflector is placed behind the cell. This measure raised the maximum power output of an FF-QDSSC-6 by 55%.

Rise of the main meniscus in rectangular capillaries: Experiments and modeling

The rise of the main meniscus in rectangular capillaries is important in interpreting the phenomenon of fluid flow in porous media. Despite many experimental studies reported in the literature, there is no universal model for the rise of the main meniscus in either rectangular or square capillaries. In this work, we present an extensive experimental study and modeling of the rise of the main meniscus in both square and rectangular capillaries. Experimental work was carried out using three different liquids (water, ethanol, and hexadecane) in borosilicate glass and plastic (polystyrene) capillaries to investigate the effect of the contact angle and capillary size on the equilibrium main meniscus height. A universal model (an extended two-wall model) based on the Laplace equation was developed to predict the equilibrium height of the main meniscus in rectangular capillaries. Results have shown that, in a wide range of capillary sizes and contact angles, the predicted equilibrium heights of the main meniscus are in good agreement with the experimentally measured values.

Dynamic behavior of radiant cooling system based on capillary tubes in walls made of high performance concrete

Rooms with a high density of occupants inevitably have high internal heat gains. It is possible to remove large sensible internal heat gains solely by radiant cooling systems if large areas of internal surface can be activated for radiant cooling. The ventilation system then only has to supply the small amount of fresh air required by standards to provide a healthy indoor environment.This paper reports on experimental analyses evaluating the dynamic behavior of a test room equipped with a radiant cooling system composed of plastic capillary tubes integrated into the inner layer of sandwich wall elements made of high performance concrete. The influence of the radiant cooling system on the indoor climate of the test room in terms of the air, surface and operative temperatures and velocities was investigated.The results show that the temperature of the room air can be kept in a comfortable range using cooling water for the radiant cooling system with a temperature only about 4K lower than the temperature of the room air. The relatively high speed reaction of the designed system is a result of the slim construction of the sandwich wall elements made of high performance concrete.

Generation of a direct-current, atmospheric-pressure microplasma at the surface of a liquid water microjet for continuous plasma-liquid processing

Plasmas at the surface of or inside liquids are of importance for emerging applications, and are often formed with stagnant liquids. Here, the authors present the generation of a direct-current, atmospheric-pressure microplasma at the surface of a liquid water microjet that enables solution species to be transported by forced convection. The water jet is formed by pumping conductive ionic solutions through a plastic capillary tube in a vertically falling geometry, and overcomes Plateau–Rayleigh instabilities by controlling the flow rate, resulting in a constant diameter jet of ∼0.45 mm over lengths of more than 30 mm. Analysis of the electrical characteristics of the complete microplasma-water jet system shows that the current–voltage (I-V) relationship is linear with a large positive slope when the solution conductivity is relatively low. The authors show that the primary contribution to this large resistance is the confined solution geometry. As proof-of-concept, the authors demonstrate that plasmonic Ag nanoparticles can be continuously produced at steady state from solutions of silver nitrate, opening up the possibility of scaled-up production of materials by plasma-liquid processes.

High efficiency flexible fiber-type dye-sensitized solar cells with multi-working electrodes

Novel flexible fiber-type dye-sensitized solar cells (FF-DSSCs) with multi-working electrodes (MWFF-DSSCs) have been developed. In each MWFF-DSSC, all the components are assembled into a flexible plastic capillary tube. A Pt microwire along the axis of the tube is used as the sole counter electrode and a number of Ti microwires surrounding it, which are all covered with highly ordered titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays, are jointly used as the working electrodes. This new configuration brings about good flexibility, capability of harvesting light from all directions and a conversion efficiency competitive with those of the conventional DSSCs. The photovoltaic performances of the MWFF-DSSC with six working electrodes (MWFF-DSSC(6)) are better than those of the MWFF-DSSCs with two to five working electrodes (MWFF-DSSC(x), x=2, 3, 4, or 5) and the FF-DSSC with a single working electrode (SWFF-DSSC). When the as-prepared TiO2 nanotube arrays are used as the working electrodes, a 6.6% conversion efficiency is obtained from an MWFF-DSSC(6). When the TiO2 nanotube arrays are treated in the niobium isopropoxide solution, the conversion efficiency is further raised to 9.1% and only suffers a 6.6% relative decrease even under a 180° bending.

Structural Basis for Allosteric Coupling at the Membrane-Protein Interface in Gloeobacter violaceus Ligand-gated Ion Channel (GLIC)

Ligand binding at the extracellular domain of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels initiates a relay of conformational changes that culminates at the gate within the transmembrane domain. The interface between the two domains is a key structural entity that governs gating. Molecular events in signal transduction at the interface are poorly defined because of its intrinsically dynamic nature combined with functional modulation by membrane lipid and water vestibules. Here we used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to delineate protein motions underlying Gloeobacter violaceus ligand-gated ion channel gating in a membrane environment and report the interface conformation in the closed and the desensitized states. Extensive intrasubunit interactions were observed in the closed state that are weakened upon desensitization and replaced by newer intersubunit contacts. Gating involves major rearrangements of the interfacial loops, accompanied by reorganization of the protein-lipid-water interface. These structural changes may serve as targets for modulation of gating by lipids, alcohols, and amphipathic drug molecules.

Development of sheath‐flow probe electrospray ionization (SF‐PESI)

Probe electrospray ionization (PESI) uses a sharp solid needle as electrospray emitter. This method was found to be applicable to the analysis of real-world samples with high concentrations of salts and detergents without sample pretreatment. Since PESI is only applicable to wet samples but not to dry samples, sheath-flow PESI (SF-PESI) has been developed. The metal needle was inserted into the fine plastic capillary with a protrusion of 0.1-0.2 mm from the capillary terminus. The solvent was supplied continuously through the capillary. At the lowest position of the probe, solvent flowing out from the capillary makes the sample wet and extracts the analytes from the surface. The extracted analytes were electrosprayed at the highest position of the needle. SF-PESI was successfully applied to samples such as narcotics, tablets, bill, fruits, potatoes, etc.

Slug Flow of Ionic Liquids in Capillary Microcontactors: Fluid Dynamic Intensification for Solvent Extraction

AbstractFor merging two facets of process intensification, namely, slug flow in microcapillaries and ionic liquid extraction, the fluid mechanic stability of organic‐ionic liquid slug flow is mapped for [EMIM] [Alkyl‐SO4] and [Alkyl‐MIM] [Ntf2] in 0.5–1.0 mm ID plastic capillaries. The choice of the ionic liquid solvent is restricted by physical properties. The internal circulation within ionic liquid slugs is found to be slower by a factor of 2–10 compared to aqueous slugs, but is accelerated by optimizing velocity, temperature, and wall material. Extraction of acetic acid from n‐heptane with EMIM ethyl sulfate is proposed as a system to verify the contribution of internal circulation to mass transfer. In the long run, this research affirms the fluid dynamic feasibility of microcapillary slug‐flow extraction with ionic liquids.

TU‐G‐217A‐03: Validation of Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI)‐Derived Crossing Fiber Angles Using a Novel Phantom and Post‐Processing

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to build diffusion phantoms and employ post‐processing techniques for validating the diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI)‐derived fiber orientation distribution function (ODF) in the crossing regions. Methods: To establish a ground truth, we constructed a phantom with a fixed crossing fiber configuration of 45° and another with 3 crossing fibers at 60°. Phantom construction involved hollow plastic capillaries which were filled with water and wrapped around a plastic plate to form a number of interleaved parallel layers resulting in fibers crossing at the desired angle. We also implemented a technique to de‐convolve the response function of an individual peak from the overall ODF. The technique involves representing a DSI derived ODF with its spherical harmonic coefficients and performing the de‐convolution using the Funk‐ Hecke theorem. Unlike the methodology in which deconvolution is applied to the spherical q‐ball signal by Descoteaux et. al, (2009), our method applies it directly on the ODF derived from DSI.DSI data was acquired on the phantom on a Philips 3.0 T Intera scanner (with SENSE Flex M coil) using spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging (EPI) sequence with b‐value of 6000 and 515 sampling points. Results: Our deconvolution methodology greatly improves the angular resolution of the otherwise un‐resolvable peaks in the ODF. Quantification of a crossing region with 10±10 pixels in the 45° and 60° phantoms resulted in a successful detection with mean ± sd of 44.6°±1.6° and 59.4°±6.8° respectively, while simultaneously sharpening the ODFs in regions containing single fibers. Conclusions: We developed a diffusion phantom with 3 crossing fibers for the first time. Our proposed methodologies significantly improved the angular accuracy of the crossing fibers and are applicable to ODFs obtained from other high angular resolution diffusion imaging such as Q ball imaging.

Vitrification of Human ICSI/IVF Spermatozoa Without Cryoprotectants: New Capillary Technology

The aim of this study was to develop and to test the standardized aseptic technology of permeable cryoprotectant-free vitrification of human spermatozoa in capillaries (for intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] or in vitro fertilization [IVF]). To test the effect of vitrification on basic sperm parameters, each of 68 swim-up-prepared ejaculates from oligo-astheno-terato-zoospermic patients were aliquoted and distributed into 3 groups: 1) nontreated control, 2) 10 μL of spermatozoa cryopreserved by slow conventional freezing with glycerol-contented medium, and 3) 10 μL of spermatozoa vitrified in 50-μL plastic capillaries in culture medium with 0.25 M sucrose. Spermatozoa motility (1, 24, and 48 hours after warming), plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and spontaneous capacitation-like changes were determined after warming. Aseptic cryoprotectant-free vitrification showed a significantly stronger cryoprotective effect compared with conventional freezing. One hour after warming, motility, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosomal integrity were significantly higher than is observed for conventionally frozen spermatozoa (28% vs 18%, 56% vs 22%, and 55% vs 21%, respectively; P < .05), although lower than in fresh spermatozoa (35%, 96%, and 84%, respectively; P < .05). Capacitation-like changes did not differ significantly between vitrified and conventionally frozen samples (8% vs 9%, respectively; P > .1) (2% in fresh spermatozoa). The newly developed technology of aseptic vitrification of human spermatozoa in capillaries can effectively preserve these cells from cryo-injures. Spermatozoa, vitrified by this technology, are free from seminal plasma owing to swim-up preceding vitrification and are free from permeable cryoprotectants. They are ready for further use immediately after warming without any additional treatment. Therefore, the reported technology has a great potential for use in ICSI/IVF.