SYSTEM FOR HYPOTHERMIC TRANSPORT OF SAMPLES
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.
1 - 16 . (canceled)
17 . A biological sample transport apparatus comprising:
an insulated vessel comprising a lid and a vessel housing, the vessel housing defining a first cavity and the lid configured to be movable with respect to the vessel housing;
a cylindrical sample storage chamber configured to be positioned within the first cavity and receive a biological sample, the sample storage chamber configured to be removed from the vessel when the lid is moved to an open configuration; and
a plurality of cooling media pouches configured to maintain a stable temperature within the sample storage chamber, the plurality of cooling media pouches configured to couple to form a band of cooling media pouches, wherein the band of cooling media pouches is configured to wrap around the cylindrical sample storage chamber.
18 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the cooling media pouches comprise eutectic cooling blocks.
19 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the biological sample comprises tissues or organs.
20 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the stable temperature is between 2-8° C.
21 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the stable temperature is between 2-10° C.
22 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a basket configured to support and limit movement of the biological sample.
23 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature in the sample storage chamber.
24 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising a digital display configured to display the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.
25 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the band of cooling media pouches comprise cooling media pouches joined side to side.
26 . The biological sample transport apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the band of cooling media pouches comprise eight cooling media pouches joined together.
27 . A method for transporting biological material, comprising:
providing an insulated vessel comprising a lid and a vessel housing, the vessel housing defining a first cavity and the lid movable with respect to the vessel housing;
placing a biological sample in a cylindrical sample storage chamber;
placing the sample storage chamber in the first cavity;
coupling a plurality of cooling media pouches to form a band of cooling media pouches, the plurality of cooling media pouches configured to maintain a stable temperature within the sample storage chamber;
wrapping the cylindrical sample storage chamber with the band of cooling media pouches; and
moving the lid relative to the vessel housing to a closed configuration.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the cooling media pouches comprise eutectic cooling blocks.
29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the biological sample comprises tissues or organs.
30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the stable temperature is between 2-8° C.
31 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the stable temperature is between 2-10° C.
32 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising placing the biological sample in a basket configured to support and limit movement of the biological sample.
33 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising measuring temperature in the sample storage chamber using a temperature sensor.
34 . The method of claim 33 , further comprising displaying the temperature measured by the temperature sensor using a digital display.
35 . The method of claim 27 , wherein forming the band of cooling media pouches comprises joining cooling media pouches side to side.
36 . The method of claim 27 , wherein forming the band of cooling media pouches comprises joining eight cooling media pouches together.