Biological specimen handling method

• US 7,435,601 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fitzco, Inc. (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitzco, Inc. (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kvasnik, Michael Jeffrey, Fitz, Todd Richardson
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, LYLE
• Application Number:
  US10/778,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20040161855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 422/61, 422/102, 435/288.3, 435/305.1, 435/305.3, 435/305.4, 435/307.1, 436/165
• US Class Current: 436/165
• 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. A method of handling a biological specimen, the method consisting of:

providing an apparatus for handling a biological specimen via a 96-well plate, the apparatus adaptable to accommodate a 96-well plate and having a grooved base, the grooved base having a body portion and a tray portion adapted for receiving a biological specimen, and a slidably movable lid operably connected to the grooved base and moveable between a first closed position and a second open position, wherein the slidably movable lid is hingedly connected to and slidably movable about the grooved base, further wherein the lid is slidable under the base by means of the groove;

collecting a biological specimen at a first location;

moving the slidably movable lid of the apparatus from the first closed position to the second open position, wherein the slidably movable lid is hingedly connected to and slidably movable about the base;

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

moving the hingedly connected 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.

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

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

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

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

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

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second location is a testing facility.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second location is a storage facility.