PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a preliminary freezing apparatus that is capable of preliminarily freezing a biological sample for freezing preservation, which has been formed in a sheet shape, while maintaining the sheet shape.SOLUTION: A preliminary freezing apparatus includes: a sample placing member 12 including a sample placing part 11, on which a biological sample for freezing preservation formed in a sheet shape is placed； a holding member 14 for holding the sample placing member in a gas phase in a low-temperature liquefied gas container 13； and a heat conduction member 15 downwardly protruding from the sample placing member and inserted into low-temperature liquefied gas in the low-temperature liquefied gas container. With this construction, the biological sample for freezing preservation formed in the sheet shape is refrigerated by the gas at a low temperature and is preliminarily frozen under a state in which it is placed on the sample placing member 12, without being directly in contact with the low-temperature liquefied gas.【課題】シート状に形成された凍結保存用生体試料を、シート状の形状を保ったまま予備凍結させることができる予備凍結装置を提供する。【解決手段】シート状に形成された凍結保存用生体試料を載置する試料載置部１１を備えた試料載置部材１２と、該試料載置部材を低温液化ガス容器１３内の気相中に保持する保持部材１４と、試料載置部材の下方に突出して低温液化ガス容器内の低温液化ガス中に挿入される熱伝導部材１５とを備えている。シート状に形成された凍結保存用生体試料は、試料載置部材１２に載置された状態で、低温液化ガスに直接接触することなく、低温のガスにより冷却されて予備凍結される。【選択図】図１
