System for hypothermic transport of samples
Inventors
Anderson, Lisa Maria • Judson, Jared Alden
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12245586-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for the hypothermic transport of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids. The system includes a self-purging preservation apparatus to suspend a sample in preservation fluid and perfuse a tissue with preservation fluid. The self-purging preservation apparatus is placed in an insulated transport container having a cooling medium. When assembled, the system allows for transport of biological samples for extended periods of time at a stable temperature.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for hypothermic transport of an organ in an insulated transport container. The system includes eutectic cooling blocks arranged within recesses positioned along inside surfaces of the transport container interior. A basket supports the organ within the container while limiting lateral movement, and the basket is secured to the inside surfaces of the walls by vertically extending ribs that abut the inside surfaces.
A lid couples with the walls to form an insulated environment within the transport container. The eutectic cooling blocks maintain a temperature within the interior of the transport container within a target range during transport, and the target range is specified as 2–8°C or 2–10°C. The cooling blocks are configured to maintain the interior temperature within the target range for more than 4 hours.
The disclosed system further supports monitoring of the interior temperature using a temperature sensor and providing an external display that shows the temperature within the interior without opening the lid. The document also describes sterile canister embodiments and sterile connectors/manifold/vent aspects for preserving sterility during transfer in the context of hypothermic transport of biological samples.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a hypothermic transport container that uses eutectic cooling blocks arranged in interior recesses and a basket that limits lateral movement, with a lid forming an insulated environment, where the cooling blocks maintain a target interior temperature during transport. The claim families further add temperature sensing/display and time and temperature constraints.
Insulated transport container with recessed eutectic cooling blocks
A transport container comprising a floor and a plurality of walls, with eutectic cooling blocks arranged within recesses positioned along inside surfaces of the interior, the eutectic cooling blocks configured to maintain a temperature within the interior of the transport container within a target range during transport.
Organ-support basket constrained by perimeter and vertically extending ribs
A basket configured to support the organ, disposed within the interior of the transport container such that lateral movement of the basket is limited by the basket corresponding in size and shape to a perimeter of the interior, the basket comprising vertically extending ribs configured to secure the basket to inside surfaces of the plurality of walls of the transport container, the ribs configured to abut the inside surfaces of the plurality of walls.
Lid forming an insulated environment
A lid configured to couple with the plurality of walls to form an insulated environment within the transport container.
Temperature sensor and external display without opening the lid
A temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the transport container and an external display configured to show the temperature within the interior of the transport container without opening the lid.
Extended target-temperature duration with eutectic cooling blocks
Eutectic cooling blocks configured to maintain the temperature within the interior of the transport container within a target range for more than 4 hours.
Specified target temperature range for hypothermic transport
A target range defined as a temperature of 2–8°C or 2–10°C for the interior of the transport container.
Recesses positioned as slots along inside surfaces for eutectic blocks
A transport container with recesses positioned as slots along inside surfaces configured to receive eutectic cooling blocks.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is the combination of recessed eutectic cooling blocks in an insulated transport container with an organ basket constrained to limit lateral movement and secured by vertically extending ribs, plus a lid forming the insulated environment. The claim families further add monitoring via a temperature sensor and external display without opening the lid, and define target temperature and extended duration constraints for maintaining hypothermic conditions.
Stated Advantages
Maintains a temperature within the interior of the transport container within a target range during transport.
Supports monitoring of the interior temperature using a temperature sensor and external display without opening the lid.
Maintains the interior temperature within the target range for more than 4 hours.
Enables hypothermic target temperature ranges specified as 2–8°C or 2–10°C.
Provides an insulated environment within the transport container by coupling the lid with the walls.
Documented Applications
Hypothermic transport of an organ, including discussion of organs such as canine kidneys, using the disclosed preservation and transport architecture and cold conditions, with reported evaluation outcomes for viability and perfusion parameters.
Use of sterile canister embodiments and sterile connectors/manifold/vent aspects in the context of transferring biological samples while preserving sterility during hypothermic transport.
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