System for hypothermic transport of samples
Inventors
Anderson, Lisa Maria • Judson, Jared Alden
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12369576-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-29
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 biological sample transport apparatus combines a self-purging preservation lid with an insulated, cooled container for transporting a biological sample. A lid configured to seal to a sample storage chamber directs fluid into a lid chamber and out through a vent via an opening as the chamber is filled through a fill port. The system further includes eutectic cooling media, temperature monitoring, sample retention mechanisms, and pulsatile embodiments that oxygenate perfusate through a semipermeable membrane.
The disclosure evaluates canine-kidney testing reporting differences in blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, oxygen consumption, and renal vascular resistance across fresh, perfused, and cold-stored kidneys, wherein 24-hour pulsatile cold storage maintains glomerular filtration rate and renal vascular resistance nearer fresh-kidney values than static storage. Because background and summary sections are omitted from the supplied content, the specific technical problem addressed is not explicitly described in the patent.
Claims Coverage
The claims include two independent claims directed to five inventive features concerning a biological sample transport apparatus and a method for transporting biological material.
Self-purging transport-apparatus lid
Claim 1 recites a lid configured to seal to a sample storage chamber, with a lid chamber, a fill port, a vent, and an opening arranged to direct fluid from the sample storage chamber into the lid chamber and out through the vent as the chamber is filled through the fill port.
Fluid-directing method for transporting biological material
Claim 11 recites a method for transporting biological material using a lid with a fill port, lid chamber, vent, and opening, directing fluids through the fill port such that fluids in the sample storage chamber pass through the opening into the lid chamber and out through the vent as the chamber is filled.
Cooled transport container
Described dependent claims recite an insulated transport container configured to receive the sample storage chamber and eutectic cooling blocks, including arrangements at 2–8°C positioned around a cylindrical sample storage chamber.
Temperature sensing and external display
Described dependent claims recite a sensor within the sample storage chamber that measures the temperature of the biological sample and communicates it to a display readable from outside without opening the lid.
Sample adapter and retention
Described dependent claims recite an adapter configured for fluidic coupling to a vessel of the biological sample, which may comprise tissues or organs, and a retention mechanism configured to surround at least part of the sample and retain it with respect to the adapter.
The claims cover a biological sample transport apparatus and transport method centered on a self-purging lid arrangement, with described dependent claims adding insulated cooling, temperature monitoring, and adapter-based sample retention.
Stated Advantages
The canine-kidney testing reports that 24-hour pulsatile cold storage maintains glomerular filtration rate and renal vascular resistance nearer fresh-kidney values than static storage.
The described results support extended transport and preservation.
Documented Applications
Transport and preservation of biological samples, including tissues or organs, using a sample storage chamber and an insulated, cooled transport container.
Preservation and evaluation of canine kidneys during cold storage.
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