Insulated specimen container

• US 6,337,052 B1
• Filed: 11/15/1999
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Inventors: Rosenwasser, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gordon, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US09/441,183
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 422/102, 222/183, 222/188, 222/206, 435/307.1, 206/438, 206/524.1, 206/524.6, 206/585, 220/8, 220/23.86, 220/23.87, 220/23.91
• US Class Current: 422/547
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0263 Non-refrigerated containers specially adapted for transporting or storing living parts whilst preserving, e.g. cool boxes, blood bags or "straws" for cryopreservation
• 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: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/142 Cornea, e.g. artificial corneae, keratoprostheses or corneal implants for repair of defective corneal tissue
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3823 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3834 the external tray being formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls

Abstract

A container for storing and transporting a specimen under thermally stable conditions includes an outer insulating container body having a top and sidewall to form a receptacle shape and an inner insulating container body having a bottom and sidewall to form a receptacle shape to fit in interlocking nested engagement with the outer insulating container body to form a double walled hermetic chamber. A specimen receiving structure is supported within the hermetic chamber for receiving a biological specimen such as a corneal tissue. Another comprises an outer insulating container body and an inner insulating container body shaped to fit in interlocking nested engagement with the outer insulating container body to form a hermetic chamber. At least one of the insulating bodies comprises a hard shell filled with an insulating material.

Claims

1. A container for transporting temperature sensitive materials, comprising:

an outer insulating container body having a top and sidewall to form a receptacle shape;

an inner insulating container body having a bottom and sidewall to form a receptacle shape to fit in interlocking nested engagement with said outer insulating container body to form a double walled hermetic chamber

wherein said sidewalls extend to form a double wall along the entire hermetic chamber; and

a specimen collector supported within said hermetic chamber.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said specimen collector is a sealable liquid tight structure for receiving a corneal tissue specimen.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein said specimen collector is supported by a specimen container that is held in press fit between a pair of compressible disks within said hermetic chamber.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein said inner insulating container body is shaped for press fit nested engagement with said outer insulating container body to form said hermetic container.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein said inner insulating container body is held in nested engagement within said outer insulating container body by a rubber gasket, tape, shrink wrap, glue or cement to form said hermetic container.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein said inner insulating body is shaped complementary to said receptacle-shape of said outer insulating container body to fit in opposing relationship within said outer insulating container body in nested engagement.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein said outer insulating body and said inner insulating body are constructed from a rigid material having a thermal conductivity at least less than 0.1 (W/m K).

8. The container of claim 1, wherein said outer insulating body and said inner insulating body are constructed from a rigid material having a thermal conductivity at least less than 0.05 (W/m K).

9. The container of claim 1, wherein said outer insulating body and said inner insulating body are constructed from a rigid material having a thermal conductivity at least less than 0.02 (W/m K).

10. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said insulating bodies comprises cellular polymeric material or mineral fiber.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said insulating bodies comprises polystyrene, polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said insulating bodies comprises a cast structure from glass fiber, cellulosic material, mineral fiber, polymer gel or silicone rubber.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said insulating bodies comprises a hard shell filled with an insulating material.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said insulating bodies comprises a hard shell filled with a coolant material.

15. The container of claim 3, wherein said specimen container defines a cavity and includes a pedestal to support said specimen collector.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein said specimen collector comprises a specimen chamber having an open top and sized and shaped to accommodate a corneal tissue.

17. The container of claim 1, wherein said specimen collector comprises a disk perforated with at least one aperture to hold a tube structure.

18. The container of claim 1, wherein said hermetic chamber is filled with a protective fluid to safeguard a transported corneal tissue.

19. The container of claim 1, wherein said hermetic chamber is filled with a protective fluid selected from the group consisting of alcohol, glycol and water to safeguard a transported corneal tissue.

20. The container of claim 1, wherein a coolant packing material is included within said hermetic chamber.

21. The container of claim 1, wherein said specimen collector is shaped to accommodate a corneal tissue.

22. A container for transporting temperature sensitive materials, comprising:

an outer insulating container body having a top and sidewall to form a receptacle shape;

an inner insulating container body having a bottom and sidewall to form a receptacle shape to fit in interlocking nested engagement with said outer insulating container body to form a double walled hermetic chamber; and

a specimen container supported within said hermetic chamber and held in press fit between a pair of compressible disks within said hermetic chamber.