BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND STORAGE DEVICES

• US 20100279397A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Wu, Yuguang, Lopez, Myriam, Parmar, Girish, Stevens, Timothy A., Green, Sol F., Fletcher, Gary D., Golabek, Robert S. JR., Crawford, Jamieson W., Soskey, Paul R., Newby, C. Mark, Manoussakis, Dimitrios
• Application Number:
  US12/278,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20100279397A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/307.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00861 printing and sticking of identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/229 for investigating time/temperature history
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/0211 Transfer or thermo-sensitive
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/0272 Labels for containers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps

Abstract

A biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for storing the biological sample and an indicator affixed to the container for displaying at least one measured characteristics of the container or sample, wherein measurement of the characteristic is commenced by activation of the indicator. In another embodiment of the invention, a biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for storing the biological sample and a colored scale affixed to the container, wherein the colored scale facilitates identification of at least one characteristic of the biological sample. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for collecting a biological sample and a label affixed to the container, wherein information relating to the biological sample or container is situated on the label.

Claims

1. A biological sample containment system comprising:

a container for storing the biological sample; and

an indicator affixed to the container for displaying at least one measurable characteristic of the container or sample,

wherein measurement of the characteristic is capable of measurement after activation of the indicator.

2. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover associated with the indicator,

wherein measurement of the characteristic is capable of measurement upon removal of at least a portion of the cover.

3. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, wherein activation occurs when the indicator is exposed to air or light.

4. The biological sample containment system of claim 2, wherein the removal occurs by peeling at least a portion of the cover from the indicator.

5. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, further comprising a cover associated with the indicator,

wherein measurement of the characteristic is capable of measurement upon a user induced event chosen from the group consisting of piercing the cover, tearing the cover, agitating the cover, and compressing the cover into the closure.

6. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic that is measured relates to the temperature to which the container is exposed or has been exposed.

7. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic that is measured relates to the age of the container.

8. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic that is measured relates to the amount of mixing to which the biological sample is subjected.

9. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic that is measured relates to the time that has transpired since the biological sample has been introduced into the container.

10. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a storage portion and a closure portion.

16. The biological sample containment system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic that is measured relates to a shelf life expiration status chosen from the group consisting of expired and not expired.

11. A method for displaying at least one characteristics of a biological containment system, comprising:

collecting a biological sample in a container; and

activating an indicator that is affixed to the container,

wherein the activating results in a visual display of the at least one characteristic.

12. A biological sample containment system, comprising:

a container for storing the biological sample; and

a colored scale affixed to the container,

wherein the colored scale facilitates identification of at least one characteristic of the biological sample.

13. The biological sample containment system of claim 12, wherein the characteristic is the level of hemolysis associated with the biological sample.

14. A biological sample containment system, comprising:

a container for collecting a biological sample; and

a label having a first side and an opposing second side, said label affixed to the container by said first side,

wherein information relating to the biological sample or container is situated on the label and at least a portion of said information is situated on said first side.

15. The biological sample containment system of claim 14, wherein the information relates to whether the container is filled with the biological sample at a desired level.