System and methods of preserving integrity and securely transporting biological specimens to a depository and devices for securely storing biological specimens

• US 9,554,646 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2015
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karen Paolella, Keith Charette, Lynn Nordyk
• Original Assignee: Karen Paolella, Keith Charette, Lynn Nordyk
• Inventors: Nordyk, Lynn, Paolella, Karen, Charette, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US14/599,610
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 232/17, 232/19, 232/20, 232/27, 232/30, 232/31, 232 34- 37, 232/43.2, 232/44, 232/45, 232/47, 232/51, 340/545.6, 340/568.1, 340/569, 340/5.73, 312/209, 422/24
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1221 comprising means to detect or prevent a terrorist attack, e.g. to detect anthrax-laced letters
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/142 the receptacle interior being adapted to receive a transportable deposit container for food or large parcels
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/30 Accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, means for leaving messages
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/50 for storing hazardous materials in the laboratory, e.g. cupboards, waste containers sample containers B01L3/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/04 Closures and closing means
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/005 Locks with means for tracking the location of locked items, e.g. freight containers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/00 Locks or fastenings for special use

Abstract

A system and methods of securely storing biological samples prior to the secure transportation of the biological and/or biohazardous specimens to a depository where the system can determine the locations and pickup times of the couriers transporting the enclosures from the storage unit to the depository.

Claims

1. A system for holding temporarily and thereafter transporting biological specimens to a depository for subsequent analysis of said biological specimens by said depository;

said system comprising;

I) enclosures securely enclosing and preserving integrity of said biological specimens until said analysis of said biological specimens by said depository;

II) at least one storage unit for temporarily holding said biological specimens comprising;

a) a lower section and an upper section, wherein said upper section comprises a pivotable deposit-only gate for receiving deposits of said enclosures such that after deposit into/onto and closure of said pivotable deposit-only gate, said enclosures drop into a portable holder until removal of said enclosures is authorized;

b) a door and lock combination allowing removal of said enclosures from said storage unit;

c) a CPU or a communications module capable of sending/receiving data with;

i) one or more hardware components of said storage unit; and

ii) a network remote from said storage unit;

d) an antenna;

e) an energy source; and

f) an ultraviolet light positioned within said storage unit and operably connected to said door, wherein, when said lower section is emptied of deposited enclosures and said door is closed, said ultraviolet light is activated, for a predetermined time, to reduce microbial growth; and

III) an operations center, remote from said storage unit in communication with said storage unit via said network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said hardware components comprises one or more of:

a) an enclosure detection sensor capable of detecting entry of said enclosures into said portable holder;

b) an internal temperature sensor;

c) an energy source status monitor;

d) an open/close sensor for said door;

e) a door opening signal receiver;

f) an electrical actuator actuating said lock;

g) a gate sensor detecting movement of said pivotable deposit-only gate; and

h) a portable holder detector.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said energy source supplies direct current.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said portable holder further comprises insulation.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said network comprises, individually or in any combination thereof, cellular, satellite, mobile infrastructure, wide area, local area or any public communications networks and/or clouds associated therewith.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said direct current energy source is supplied by a photovoltaic panel.

7. The storage unit of claim 6 further comprising:

a) a riser;

or

b) a vertical mounting apparatus;

or

b) a floor mounting apparatus.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a door opening signal transmitter operable by one or more couriers.

9. A system for preserving integrity, securely holding and transporting biological specimens to a depository;

said system utilizing a plurality of storage units remote from an operations center, wherein said plurality of storage units are capable of intercommunication with at least one computing device remote from said storage units and under control of said operations center, and wherein each said storage unit comprises;

a) a deposit-only opening for receiving temporary deposits of enclosures containing said biological specimens such that after deposit, said enclosures drop into a holder until removal of said enclosures is authorized;

b) a door and lock combination allowing authorized removal of said enclosures from said storage unit;

c) an ultraviolet light positioned within said storage unit and operably connected to said door, wherein, when said storage unit does not contain any of said enclosures and said door is closed, said ultraviolet light is activated, for a predetermined time, to reduce microbial growth;

d) a communications module capable of intercommunicating with;

i) one or more hardware components of said storage unit, wherein said hardware components comprise an enclosure detection sensor capable of detecting entry of said enclosures into said holder, an internal temperature sensor, an energy source status monitor, an open/close sensor for said door, a door opening signal receiver, an electrical actuator actuating said lock, a gate sensor for movement of said opening or a holder detector; and

ii) via a network, said at least one computing device remote from said storage unit;

f) an antenna; and

g) an energy source.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein one or more of said holders comprises insulation.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one computing device:

a) monitors one or more of said hardware components; and

b) optionally, determines routes and pickup times of couriers;

c) optionally, communicates said routes and pickup times to said couriers;

d) optionally, authorizes one or more of said couriers to transport one or more of said enclosures from one or more of said storage units to said depository.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said network comprises, individually or in any combination thereof, cellular, satellite, mobile infrastructure, wide area, local area or any public communications networks and/or clouds associated therewith.

13. A system for holding temporarily and thereafter transporting biological specimens to a depository for subsequent analysis of said biological specimens by said depository;

said system comprising;

a) enclosures securely enclosing and preserving integrity of said biological specimens until said analysis of said biological specimens by said depository; and

b) a plurality of storage units remote from an operations center intercommunicating with said operations center;

each said storage unit comprising;

i) a lower section and an upper section comprising a deposit-only gate for receiving deposits of said enclosures such that after deposit onto and closure of said deposit-only gate, said enclosures drop into an insulated holder positioned in said lower section until removal of said enclosures is authorized by said system'"'"'s operation center in communication with at least one of said storage units;

ii) a door and lock combination;

an ultraviolet light positioned within said storage unit and operably connected to said door, wherein, when said storage unit does not contain any of said enclosures and said door is closed, said ultraviolet light is activated, for a predetermined time, to reduce microbial growth; and

iv) an energy source.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said system:

a) authorizes one or more couriers to transport one or more of said enclosures from one or more of said storage units to said depository;

b) directs routes and enclosure pickup times for one or more of said couriers;

c) locks/unlocks doors of one or more of said storage units; and

/or

d) initiates irradiation of one or more of said storage unit with ultraviolet light.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein each said storage unit comprises a communications module capable of intercommunicating with:

a) one or more hardware components of said storage unit, wherein said hardware components comprise an enclosure detection sensor capable of detecting entry of said enclosures into said holder, an internal temperature sensor, an energy source status monitor, an open/close sensor for said door, a door opening signal receiver, an electrically actuated lock, a gate sensor for movement of said opening or a holder detector; and

b) a computing device remote from said storage unit.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein at least some of said storage units comprise a photovoltaic panel.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein one more of said insulated holders holding said enclosures is replaced with one or more empty insulated holders.