Biopsy sample container

• US 10,285,669 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2017
• Issued: 05/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Devicor Medical Products Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Keller, Bryan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nagpaul, Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US15/638,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20180000463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0041 Detection of breast cancer mammography by transillumination A61B5/0091, by X-rays A61B6/502, by ultrasonic means A61B8/0825
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0225 for taking multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/022 Stereoscopic imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/42 Arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/488 involving pre-scan acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/043 Hinged closures
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/048 enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/523 for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/002 : Devices for supplying or distributing samples to an analysing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/315 : Basket-type carriers for tissues

Abstract

An apparatus for individually storing multiple tissue samples separately from each other includes a base, a lid, a lock, and one or more vents. The base defines a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of identification areas. A portion of the base defines an opening corresponding to each reservoir. The lid is configured to secure the multiple tissue samples within a corresponding reservoir by enclosing each corresponding opening in the closed configuration. The lock is configured to selectively lock the lid against the base in the closed configuration. The one or more vents are configured to enable entry of fluid into the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration. The one or more vents are further configured to prevent exit of tissue samples from the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration.

Claims

1. An apparatus for individually storing multiple tissue samples separately from each other, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a base defining a plurality of reservoirs, wherein a portion of the base defines a plurality of openings with each opening associated with a corresponding reservoir;

(b) a lid configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the lid is configured to secure each tissue sample of the multiple tissue samples within a corresponding reservoir by enclosing each corresponding opening in the closed configuration;

(c) a plurality of identification areas, wherein each identification area of the plurality of identification areas is associated with the base or the lid;

(d) a lock, wherein the lock is configured to selectively lock the lid against the base in the closed configuration; and

(e) one or more vents, wherein the one or more vents are configured to enable entry of fluid into the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration, wherein the one or more vents are sized sufficiently small to prevent exit of tissue samples from the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the base.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid includes a pair of pivot studs, wherein the base includes a corresponding pair of pivot holes.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the base via a living hinge.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a resilient tab associated with the base.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each reservoir of the plurality of reservoirs includes an enclosed perimeter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each identification area of the plurality of identification areas is directly adjacent to a corresponding reservoir in the plurality of reservoirs of the base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each identification area of the plurality of identification areas coincides with a corresponding reservoir in the plurality of reservoirs.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more vents include at least one vent formed in the lid.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more vents include at least one vent formed in the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adaptor defining at least one guide slot, and a stop;

wherein the base further includes at least one guide rail configured to be inserted into the at least one guide slot, wherein the stop and the guide rail are configured to selectively lock the adaptor with the base.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the adaptor includes a resilient arm associated with the stop, wherein the resilient arm is configured to deform from a first position to a second position in response to the at least one guide rail being inserted into the at least one guide slot, wherein the stop is configured to lock the base with the adaptor when the at least one guide rail is inserted into the at least one guide slot and the resilient arm is in the first position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the resilient arm is configured to deform from the first position to the second position while the base is inserted within the adaptor to unlock the base from the adaptor.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a radiograph drawer defining an adaptor recess and a locator recess, wherein the adaptor further includes a locating feature, wherein the adaptor recess is configured to house the adaptor, wherein the locator recess is configured to house the locating feature in order to align the adaptor relative to the radiograph drawer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a pair of side rails dimensioned to be positioned adjacent with an outer perimeter of a corresponding reservoir when the lid is in the closed configuration.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sidewalls extending from a portion of the base, wherein the plurality of sidewalls define each reservoir of the plurality of reservoirs.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each identification area includes a visual identifier, wherein each visual identifier is associated with a reservoir such that each visual identifier is configured to identify an associated reservoir.

18. An apparatus for individually storing multiple tissue samples separately from each other, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a container including;

(i) a base defining a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of identification areas, wherein each reservoir in the plurality of reservoirs is at least partially defined by a perimeter, wherein each perimeter defines an opening corresponding to each reservoir,

(ii) a lid configured to pivot between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the lid is configured to cover each corresponding opening defined by each perimeter in the closed configuration, and

(iii) a lock, wherein the lock is configured to selectively lock the lid against the base in the closed configuration; and

(b) an adaptor configured to house the container in order to selectively couple the container with a radiograph drawer.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the lid is configured to extend past the base when the lid is in the closed configuration.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a portion of the lid extending past the base in the closed configuration defines a label area.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the container defines an exterior, wherein the container defines a vent configured to provide fluid communication from the exterior to at least one reservoir in the plurality of reservoirs.

22. An apparatus for individually storing multiple tissue samples separately from each other, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a base defining a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of identification areas, wherein each identification area corresponds to a reservoir in the plurality of reservoirs, wherein each reservoir in the plurality of reservoirs including a wall, wherein a portion of each wall defines an opening corresponding to each reservoir; and

(b) a lid formed of transparent material, wherein the lid is configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the lid is configured to lay adjacent to each corresponding opening in the closed configuration, wherein the lid is configured to secure the multiple tissue samples within a corresponding reservoir in the closed configuration, wherein each corresponding reservoir is configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior of the apparatus when the lid is in the closed configuration.

23. A system for storing and transporting multiple tissue sample, the system comprising:

(a) a tissue container, the tissue container including;

(i) a base defining a plurality of reservoirs, wherein a portion of the base defines a plurality of openings with each opening associated with a corresponding reservoir,

(ii) a lid configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the lid is configured to secure one or more tissue samples within one or more reservoirs by enclosing each reservoir in the closed configuration,

(iii) a plurality of identification areas, wherein each identification area of the plurality of identification areas is associated with the base or lid,

(iii) a lock, wherein the lock is configured to selectively lock the lid against the base in the closed configuration, and

(iv) one or more vents configured to enable entry of fluid into the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration, wherein the one or more vents are sized sufficiently small to prevent exit of tissue samples from the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration; and

(b) a transport jar filled with formalin, wherein the transport jar is configured to enclose the tissue container therein for transport of the tissue container.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the lock includes one or more tabs configured to secure the lid in the closed configuration to the base.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more vents includes a plurality of vents arranged on a first side of the base and a plurality of vents arranged on a second side of the base, wherein the first side is opposite of the second side.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the transport jar includes a cap configured to seal the tissue container within a cavity of the transport jar.