Hypothermic tissue storage
Inventors
Bornhoft, Steve • Gellman, Barry • Churchill, William Lucas
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12653180-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods for the hypothermic storage of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids between arrival at a transplantation site and transplantation. In some examples, various cooling media may be positioned in and around a container used to for the hypothermic storage.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes an apparatus for hypothermic storage of a biological sample using a container and cooling media arranged in a pouch. A central packet is positioned at the bottom inside the container, while foldable peripheral petal-shaped packets extend along the inside wall. A clip secures an edge of the pouch to the container rim, and drawings depict bowl structures and sample-receiving spaces.
The described storage arrangement maintains the biological sample at approximately 2–8°C while avoiding direct exposure to frozen slush. The disclosure also describes temperature monitoring, insulated or contoured supports, and optional circulation of preservation fluid. Because the background section is omitted, the problem being solved in the background is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims include two independent claims representing two inventive features for hypothermic storage of a biological sample.
Petal-shaped foldable cooling packets
Claim 1 recites a central packet with a substantially circular cross-section comprising cooling media configured for placement at the bottom inside the container, and petal-shaped packets disposed around its circumference. The peripheral packets are foldable with respect to the central packet and extend along the inside wall of the container, with a pouch containing the packets and a clip securing the pouch to the container rim.
Foldable peripheral cooling packets
Claim 15 recites a central packet comprising cooling media configured for placement at the bottom inside the container, and a plurality of cooling-media packets disposed around its periphery. The additional packets are foldable with respect to the central packet and extend along the inside wall of the container, with a pouch containing the packets and a clip securing the pouch to the container rim.
Together, the independent claims cover biological-sample storage apparatuses with cooling packets arranged at the container bottom and inside wall, held in a pouch clipped to the rim, with claim 1 specifying a substantially circular central packet and petal-shaped peripheral packets.
Stated Advantages
The arrangement maintains hypothermic storage at approximately 2–8°C while avoiding direct exposure of the biological sample to frozen slush.
Documented Applications
Hypothermic storage of a biological sample in a container with central and peripheral cooling-media packets.
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