Sample container for stabilizing and aligning excised biological tissue samples for ex vivo analysis
First Claim
1. An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:
- a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample;
a sealing member coupled to the sample bag;
an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag, the imaging window configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample and to enable electromagnetic energy from an imaging device to be communicated through the imaging window to the biological tissue sample; and
a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.
365 Citations
48 Claims
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1. An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:
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a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample; a sealing member coupled to the sample bag; an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag, the imaging window configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample and to enable electromagnetic energy from an imaging device to be communicated through the imaging window to the biological tissue sample; and a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:
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a sample bag having an opening and defining an inner volume, the sample bag configured to receive the biological tissue sample and having a first inner volume in a first configuration and a second inner volume less than the first inner volume in a second configuration; a sealing member coupled to a circumference of the opening of the sample bag; an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag, the imaging window configured to be placed in contact with a portion of the biological tissue sample and to allow electromagnetic energy from an imaging device to pass through the imaging window; and a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag, wherein withdrawing air from the inner volume of the sample bag moves the sample bag from the first configuration to the second configuration. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:
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a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample; a sealing member coupled to the sample bag; an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag, the imaging window configured to be placed in contact with a portion of the biological tissue sample to enable images of the biological tissue sample to be taken through the imaging window; a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag; and a locking mechanism including a channel, the channel having a first end that is substantially open and a second end that is substantially closed. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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45. An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:
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a sample bag defining an opening and having an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample; a sealing member coupled to the opening of the sample bag; an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag, the imaging window configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample such that the biological tissue sample can be imaged through the imaging window; a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag; a receiving member having a channel to which a portion of the positioning member is configured to be disposed; and a plurality of registration points disposed about the receiving member and configured to arrest movement of the positioning member once a portion of the positioning member is disposed within the channel. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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47. A system configured to hold a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the system comprising:
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a sample container comprising; a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample; a sealing member coupled to the sample bag; an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag, the imaging window configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample and to allow electromagnetic energy from an imaging device to pass through the imaging window; and a positioning member including a first vacuum port, the positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member; a receiving member configured to lockably receive the sample container such that a proper position of the biological tissue sample relative to an electromagnetic energy emission point is maintained; and a vacuum system including a second vacuum port and configured to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag when the first vacuum port is aligned with the second vacuum port. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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Specification