Transporter systems, assemblies and associated methods for transporting tissue samples
Inventors
Crum, Nathan • Keller, Timothy • Laing, Alastair • Otter, Michael • Petre, Vinnie • Pigman, Elizabeth • Shingler, Taylor • Stanislaw, Stacey • Stevens, Benjamin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12594551-B2
Publication Date
2026-04-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A tissue sample that has been removed from a subject can be properly fixed for evaluation using the disclosed transporter assembly for carrying a tissue sample and method for fixing an unfixed tissue sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed assembly includes a transport container, a fixative in the transport container, and a cooling device that reduces and/or maintains the temperature of the fixative to perform a pre-soaking process at a temperature of less than about 7° C. The pre-soaking process can, for example, be performed during sample transport or during extended periods of storage, such as over a weekend.
Core Innovation
A thermally insulated sample transport device is described for transporting histology-related specimens. The device includes one or more specimen containers with a cavity, each container having a removably engageable lid, one or more cassette clips removably coupled to the lids, and one or more histology cassettes removably coupled to the cassette clips.
The device further includes one or more data loggers with temperature sensors, and carrier assemblies having adjacent first and second openings. The first opening is configured to removably hold a specimen container, and the second opening is configured to removably hold a data logger, with the first and second openings in thermal communication. A tray insertable within the thermally insulated main body includes multiple receptacles, each configured to removably hold one carrier assembly.
Cooling elements are positioned in thermal communication with the tray receptacles and are configured to maintain the receptacles at a temperature ranging from 0° C. to 10° C. for at least 2 hours. The device also includes a cover removably engageable with the thermally insulated main body, supporting protected and thermally controlled transport of the specimen containers and histology cassettes.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim coverage describes three main inventive features, with dependent features adding identification, cooling material, and sensing elements.
Thermally insulated sample transport device with removable containers and cassette coupling
A sample transport device comprising a thermally insulated main body, one or more specimen containers with cavities, lids removably engageable with the containers, cassette clips removably coupled to the lids, and one or more histology cassettes removably coupled to the cassette clips.
Temperature-sensing data logging in thermal communication with the specimen containers
One or more data loggers including a temperature sensor, and carrier assemblies with adjacent first and second openings configured to removably hold a specimen container and one of the data loggers, wherein the first and second openings are in thermal communication.
Temperature-controlled tray with cooling elements maintaining 0° C. to 10° C. for at least 2 hours
A tray insertable within the thermally insulated main body with a plurality of receptacles holding carrier assemblies, and one or more cooling elements in thermal communication with the receptacles, configured to maintain the receptacles at a temperature ranging from 0° C. to 10° C. for at least 2 hours.
Radio frequency identification for specimen containers
Each specimen container further includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
Phase change material cooling elements
The one or more cooling elements include a phase change material.
Ambient light sensor for the transport system
The sample transport system further includes an ambient light sensor.
The main inventive features are the thermally insulated device with removable specimen container lids and cassette clips, temperature-sensing data loggers thermally coupled to the specimen container, and cooling elements that maintain 0° C. to 10° C. for at least 2 hours; dependent features include RFID tagging, phase change material cooling, and an ambient light sensor.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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