Method for hypothermic transport of biological samples
A method for transporting a biological sample at hypothermic temperatures. The container can be cooled using phase change material and pump fluid through the sample. The fluid can pump through the system at a rate independent of the parameters of the biological sample. A valve can control the rate of flow of the fluid into the biological sample.
1 . A system for preservation of a biological sample comprising:
a transport container configured to contain a biological sample;
a pump configured to pump preservation fluid from the transport container to an inlet of a fluid circuit;
a flow regulator valve in fluid communication with the inlet, the flow regulator valve configured to regulate a flow rate into the biological sample based on a biological sample parameter, wherein the flow regulator valve is configured to release fluid into the transport container at a rate based on the biological sample parameter; and
a biological sample adapter in fluid communication with the inlet of the fluid circuit and configured to couple with the biological sample,
wherein the biological sample parameter comprises at least one of vessel resistance, biological sample temperature, or flow rate through the biological sample,
wherein the fluid circuit comprises fluid in the transport container and fluid flowing from the inlet to the biological sample adapter when the biological sample is contained in the transport container and coupled with the biological sample adapter, and
wherein the fluid circuit is configured to form a closed fluid system when the biological sample is contained in the transport container and coupled with the biological sample adapter.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a biological sample rest configured to support the biological sample.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the biological sample rest further comprises a cannula receiver, the cannula receiver configured to receive the biological sample adapter.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the biological sample rest further comprises a groove, wherein the cannula receiver is adjustable along the groove.
5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the biological sample adapter in place along the groove such that a vessel of the biological sample is under tension.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a biological sample retainer configured to attach to a plurality of posts in the transport container such that the biological sample retainer secures the biological sample.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the transport container further comprises a vent port configured to vent fluid from the transport container.
8 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising an accumulation chamber configured to be attached to at least one of a fill port or the vent port, the accumulation chamber comprising a flexible membrane configured to expand when the preservation fluid expands and contract when the preservation fluid contracts.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator valve is configured to maintain the flow rate into the biological sample to preserve the biological sample for greater than 5 hours without adjusting parameters of the pump.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a phase change material positioned on an outer lid sealed to the transport container.
11 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure dampener configured to reduce pulsation in the fluid circuit.
12 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the fluid circuit.
13 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a display configured to display the pressure in the fluid circuit.
14 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the fluid circuit.
15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a display configured to display the temperature in the fluid circuit on a display of the transport container.
16 . A system for preservation of a biological sample comprising:
a transport container configured to contain a biological sample;
a pump configured to pump preservation fluid through a fluid circuit to a flow regulator valve, the flow regulator valve configured to regulate a flow rate into the biological sample based on a biological sample parameter, wherein the flow regulator valve is configured to release fluid into the transport container at a rate based on the biological sample parameter; and
a biological sample adapter in fluid communication with the flow regulator valve and configured to couple with the biological sample,
wherein the biological sample parameter comprises at least one of vessel resistance, biological sample temperature, flow rate through the biological sample, or organ pressure,
wherein the fluid circuit comprises fluid in the transport container and fluid flowing from the transport container to the biological sample adapter when the biological sample is contained in the transport container and coupled with the biological sample adapter, and
wherein the transport container and the fluid circuit are configured to form a closed fluid system when the biological sample is contained in the transport container and coupled with the biological sample adapter.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the transport container further comprises a vent port configured to vent fluid from the transport container.
18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising an accumulation chamber configured to be attached to at least one of a fill port or the vent port, the accumulation chamber comprising a flexible membrane configured to expand when the preservation fluid expands and contract when the preservation fluid contracts.
19 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a phase change material positioned on an outer lid sealed to the transport container.
20 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a pressure dampener configured to reduce pulsation in the fluid circuit.