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Publication Number
US-12757892-B2
Publication Date
2026-10-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for the hypothermic transport of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids. The system includes support systems to permit arrangement of cooling media around a biological sample without potentially damaging direct contact between the cooling media and the biological sample. Systems and methods disclosed herein also include specific configurations, types, and performance characteristics of cooling media such as phase change materials to allow for extended hypothermic storage and transport.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a container for transporting a biological sample, comprising a sample storage chamber and a layered sample support surface. The sample support surface forms a cooling media pocket between itself and the chamber floor, and includes an insulating layer, a rigid core layer, and a cushion layer. A temperature sensor with a thermistor is supported on an insulator plug to monitor sample temperature, with its lead routed through an aperture in the core layer.
The arrangement separates and cushions the biological sample from cooling media while enabling temperature monitoring and limiting thermal interference and tissue damage. The container facilitates extended, temperature-controlled transport of organs and other biological samples. Comparative evaluations show container configurations maintaining sample temperatures at roughly 4–8 °C over approximately 47 hours compared to open-air control configurations.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage includes two inventive features directed to a biological-sample transport container with a specialized sample support surface and temperature sensor.
Layered sample support surface defining a cooling media pocket
A sample support surface positioned in the sample storage chamber defines a cooling media pocket between the surface and the chamber floor. The surface comprises an insulating layer that insulates the cooling media, a core layer that provides rigidity and includes a recess and aperture, and a cushion layer positioned above the core layer with an opening.
Temperature sensor supported on an insulator plug
The temperature sensor comprises a thermistor positioned in the cushion-layer opening in contact with the upper surface of an insulator plug in the core-layer recess. The sensor lead passes through the core-layer aperture, which is aligned with the recess and positioned outside the recess boundary.
The claim combines a layered sample support that separates the biological sample from cooling media and forms a cooling media pocket with a thermistor-and-plug arrangement for monitoring sample temperature.
Stated Advantages
The support separates and cushions the sample from cooling media while limiting thermal interference and tissue damage.
The container provides extended, temperature-controlled transport of organs and other biological samples.
Documented Applications
Transport of organs and other biological samples in a temperature-controlled container.
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