Biological specimen handling apparatus and method

• US 20040161855A1
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitzco, Inc. (General Electric Co. (Italy))
• Original Assignee: Fitzco, Inc. (General Electric Co. (Italy))
• Inventors: Kvasnik, Michael Jeffrey, Fitz, Todd Richardson
• Granted Patent: US 7,435,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/174
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/185 Long distance transport, e.g. mailing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/043 Hinged closures
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/045 whereby the whole cover is slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/005 Packages for mailing or similar transport of samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/007 Devices specially adapted for forensic samples, e.g. tamper-proofing, sample tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00138 Slides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00029 provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides G01N35/028 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting, transporting and storing biological specimens. The apparatus includes a base having a tray portion for receiving the biological specimen and a lid operably connected to the base and moveable with respect to the base between a first closed position in which the tray portion is covered by the lid and a second open position wherein the tray portion is exposed for receipt or removal of the biological specimen.

Claims

1. An apparatus for handling a biological specimen, the apparatus comprising:

a base having a body portion and tray portion, the tray portion adapted for receiving a biological specimen; and

a lid operably connected to the base and moveable between a first closed position in which the biological specimen is covered by the lid and a second open position wherein the biological specimen is exposed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tray portion includes a substrate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the substrate is removable from the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base includes an identification label.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the identification label includes a label identifying the collected specimen.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the label includes a computer readable code.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid includes a raised surface projecting upwardly from an underside of the lid matingly corresponding to the substrate when the lid is in the first closed position.

8. A method of handling a biological specimen, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus for handling a biological specimen, the apparatus having a base, the base having a body portion and a tray portion adapted for receiving a biological specimen, and a lid operably connected to the base and moveable between a first closed position and a second open position;

collecting a biological specimen at a first location;

moving the lid of the apparatus from the first closed position to the second open position;

placing the collected biological specimen in an exposed tray portion of the apparatus;

moving the lid from the second open position to the first closed position;

providing an identification to the apparatus containing the biological specimen; and

transporting the apparatus to a second location, wherein the chain of custody of the biological specimen is traceable.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the tray portion includes a substrate.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the substrate is removable from the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the base includes an identification label.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the identification label includes a label identifying the collected specimen.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the label includes a computer readable code.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the second location is a testing facility.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the second location is a storage facility.