System for hypothermic transport of samples
Inventors
Anderson, Lisa Maria • Judson, Jared Alden
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12557806-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-24
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 disclosed invention is a system for hypothermic transport of an organ comprising an insulated transport container and an insert configured with a horizontal support surface. Protruding surfaces position the support surface away from vertically extending inside surfaces of the container to limit lateral movement. One or more lids couple with the transport container to enclose the organ and form an insulated environment.
Depending on the configuration, the system incorporates cooling materials positioned vertically along the container inside surfaces, a wireless temperature sensor, and an organ preservation solution. The system is configured to maintain internal container temperatures between 2C and 10C during hypothermic transport. The disclosures also describe temperature monitoring and a self-purging preservation apparatus configured to support tissue in preservation fluid with oxygenation and pulsatile perfusion.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify three independent claims covering hypothermic organ-transport systems featuring three inventive features relating to structural inserts, cooling elements, and temperature regulation.
Insert with protruding surfaces, cooling materials, and wireless temperature sensing
A transport container receives an insert shaped to limit lateral movement, having a horizontal organ-support surface and two opposing pluralities of vertically extending protruding surfaces positioning the support away from inside container surfaces. First and second cooling materials are positioned in a vertical orientation between the insert and the container inside surfaces, parallel to one another. The system further includes a first lid above the insert, a second lid coupling with the container to form an insulated environment, and a temperature sensor configured to communicate wirelessly.
Insert-supported organ in an insulated transport container
A transport container receives an insert shaped to limit lateral movement within the container, featuring a horizontal support surface configured to support an organ and vertically extending protruding surfaces configured to position the support surface away from vertically extending inside surfaces of the container. A lid couples with the transport container to form an insulated environment.
Organ preservation solution and specified temperature maintenance
A transport container receives an insert having a horizontal support surface configured to support a donor organ and vertically extending protruding surfaces positioning the support surface away from inside container surfaces. The system includes an organ preservation solution, a temperature sensor configured to measure internal temperature and communicate wirelessly, and a lid forming an insulated environment configured to maintain container temperatures between 2C and 10C.
The independent claims cover insulated hypothermic organ-transport systems featuring an insert configured to limit lateral movement and space an organ from container walls, selectively incorporating vertically oriented cooling materials, wireless temperature sensors, preservation solution, and specified temperature control ranges.
Stated Advantages
The system is configured to maintain the temperature inside the transport container between 2C and 10C for extended transport.
In reported canine kidney testing, pulsatile cold storage preserved renal function better than static storage, producing a glomerular filtration rate not statistically different from fresh kidneys, whereas static storage produced lower glomerular filtration rate, lower oxygen consumption, and higher renal vascular resistance.
Documented Applications
Hypothermic transport and preservation of an organ, including a donor organ such as a heart or lung, within an insulated transport container.
Preservation of a sterile field during transport using a sterile canister embodiment.
Preservation and transport of biological samples and tissue, including kidney preservation under cold-storage, fresh, or perfused conditions.
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