Device and method for ambient storage of fresh/frozen tissue sections via desiccation
View Patent ↗The present invention discloses a method for storing and preserving previously sectioned, snap-frozen, and desiccated biological tissue samples at ambient conditions. Also disclosed are devices and systems for ambient storage of biological tissue sections, and methods for forming said devices.
1. A storage device for storing and preserving biological samples, comprising:
a housing comprising at least two housing portions which jointly define an interior space adapted to accommodate and secure therein a plurality of biological samples, the two housing portions being openable with respect to each other to permit access to the interior space, the two housing portions being closeable with respect to each other in a sealed fashion, the two housing portions being each formed of a material which is not permeable to air or moisture, one of the two housing portions in the closed state defining a cartridge opening; and
a desiccating cartridge formed of a material which is not permeable to air or moisture, the desiccating cartridge being sized and shaped to fit and be removably received in the cartridge opening forming an air-tight fit with the housing so that, when the housing portions are in the closed state, the desiccating cartridge and the housing jointly seal the interior space of the housing off from the exterior environment, the desiccating cartridge having a compartment containing desiccant therein, the desiccating cartridge having one side facing the interior space through the cartridge opening, which one side is permeable to air and moisture but not permeable to the desiccant; and
a one way hydrophobic membrane disposed between the interior space and the desiccant when the cartridge is received in the cartridge opening and the housing portions are in the closed state.
2. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of sample mounting elements for mounting and securing the plurality of desiccated biological tissue samples.
3. The storage device of claim 2 , wherein said sample mounting elements are wells for holding a plurality of microscope glass slides, graticule slides, plastic slides or metal slides.
4. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein said one-way hydrophobic membrane is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone, nylon, and polytetrafluoroethylene.
5. The storage device of claim 1 , further comprising an environmental sensing element for monitoring the environmental conditions within the interior of the storage device.
6. The storage device of claim 5 , wherein said environmental sensing element is one selected from a hygrometer, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a UV sensor, an accelerometer, or a combination thereof.
7. The storage device of claim 1 , further comprising a sample identification element for identifying the samples stored therein.
8. The storage device of claim 7 , wherein said sample identification element is selected from a surface area suitable for labeling with a marker, a sticker label, a barcode label, an RFID chip, or a combination thereof.
9. The storage device of claim 1 , further comprising a time indicator for indicating a temporal information relating to the biological sample.
10. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein said two housing portions comprise a top-half component and a bottom-half component, with the top-half component and the bottom-half component connected by a hinge.
11. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the desiccating cartridge attaches into the cartridge opening of the housing with a snap-fit.
12. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the desiccating cartridge is removable from the housing without opening the two housing portions with respect to each other.
13. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the desiccating cartridge comprises a one-way hydrophobic membrane.
14. The storage device of claim 13 , wherein the one-way hydrophobic membrane is welded onto the cartridge after the cartridge is filled with desiccant.
15. A storage device for storing and preserving biological samples, comprising:
a housing comprising a bottom housing portion and a top housing portion which jointly define an interior space, the bottom housing portion having wells for holding a plurality of microscope glass slides, graticule slides, plastic slides or metal slides and thereby accommodate and secure therein a plurality of desiccated biological samples, the two housing portions being openable with respect to each other to permit access to the interior space, the two housing portions being closeable with respect to each other in a sealed fashion, the two housing portions being each formed of a material which is not permeable to air or moisture, one of the two housing portions in the closed state defining a cartridge opening;
a desiccating cartridge formed of a material which is not permeable to air or moisture, the desiccating cartridge being sized and shaped to fit and be removably received in the cartridge opening forming an air-tight fit with the housing so that, when the housing portions are in the closed state, the desiccating cartridge and the housing jointly seal the interior space of the housing off from the exterior environment, the desiccating cartridge having a compartment containing desiccant therein, the desiccating cartridge having one side facing the interior space through the cartridge opening which is permeable to air and moisture but not permeable to the desiccant; and
a one way hydrophobic membrane disposed between the interior space and the desiccant when the cartridge is received in the cartridge opening and the housing portions are in the closed state.
16. The storage device of claim 15 , wherein the top housing portion is hinged to the bottom housing portion.
17. The storage device of claim 16 , wherein the desiccating cartridge attaches into the cartridge opening of the housing with a snap-fit.
18. The storage device of claim 17 , wherein the cartridge opening is defined in the top housing portion.
19. The storage device of claim 18 , wherein the desiccating cartridge is removable from the housing without opening the two housing portions with respect to each other.
20. The storage device of claim 19 , wherein the one-way hydrophobic membrane is welded onto the cartridge after the cartridge is filled with desiccant.
21. The storage device of claim 20 , wherein the one-way hydrophobic membrane is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethersulfone, nylon, and polytetrafluoroethylene.
22. The storage device of claim 21 , further comprising an o-ring to seal the top housing portion to the bottom housing portion.
23. The storage device of claim 22 , wherein the top housing portion is locked to the bottom housing portion with clasps opposite the hinge.