Disclosed is a device and a method for storing and transporting at least one human or animal tissue with a view to transplantation or ex vivo experimentation. The device can store such tissue in a specific storage medium until the transplantation or the ex vivo experimentation, and in particular to storing a sample of human or animal cornea, such as a corneal graft. This device for storing at least one human or animal tissue comprises at least one chamber which is suitable for receiving and storing the tissue in a liquid storage medium and which comprises means for continuous renewal of the medium in said at least one chamber. The device additionally comprises means for adjusting at least one physicochemical parameter of said medium, including its pH, by continuous circulation of a buffer gas in said at least one chamber outside of and in contact with said medium.

Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially lung tissue, through the use of an expandable accumulator to maintain a constant pressure within the lumen of the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due to, for example, flight. Systems and methods may include prolonging donor organ viability in storage through the use of an organ container that mimics the geometry and orientation of the organ in vivo.

A remote system for monitoring and controlling one or more devices for use in the cryogenic processing of a sample is provided. A remote server capable of transmitting freezing profile data to one or more freezers, transmitting transportation profile data to one or more transportation devices, and transmitting thawing profile data to one or more thawing devices. The remote server is also capable of receiving detected data from the one or more freezers relating to the freezing of a sample in accordance with the freezing profile data, receiving detected data from the one or more transportation devices relating to the transportation of a sample in accordance with the transportation profile data, and receiving detected data from the one or more thawing machines relating to the thawing of a sample in accordance with the thawing profile data.

Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially an organ such as a lung, by adjusting pressure as needed to maintain a constant pressure within the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due, for example, to transportation of the organ in an airplane. Gas passing into and out of the organ may be conditioned to prolong tissue viability.

An apparatus for storing an organ or body tissue is disclosed, comprising: a container unit comprising a container body defining a storage region, wherein the container body includes an opening to enable the organ or body tissue to be admitted to, and removed from, the storage region; and a surgical drape (802) comprising: a securing portion (804) which is securable to the container unit, a peripheral outer portion (808) which surrounds the securing portion, and a frangible portion (810) separating the securing portion from the peripheral outer portion; wherein the securing portion is securable to the container body to enable the drape to extend around a portion of the periphery of the opening with the peripheral outer portion of the drape arranged outward of the opening; and wherein the frangible portion extends around the securing portion to enable the peripheral outer portion to be separated from the securing portion by tearing the frangible portion.

A protector assembly for handling, storing and transporting donor tissue in a transfer pipette includes a distal cap and a proximal plug that are respectively engageable with opposite ends of the pipette. Structurally, the pipette includes a distally tapered fluid chamber which is in fluid communication with an extension tube. The distal cap is dimensioned for friction engagement with the fluid chamber of the pipette and it is formed with a plurality of vents to establish fluid communication through the vents with the fluid chamber. On the other hand, the proximal plug is dimensioned for a friction engagement with the extension tube to prevent leakage of solution from the fluid chamber of the pipette when the proximal plug is engaged with the pipette. In combination, an engagement of the protector assembly with a pipette holding a donor tissue will protect and preserve the donor tissue during handling and transport.

The present invention relates generally to tissue container systems that find use in the transport of tissues and methods of using the tissue container systems. In particular the present invention relates to systems that support the transport, thawing and use of cryopreserved human skin equivalents, and methods of their use by a health care provider.

A temperature sensor for monitoring an organ or tissue is configured to measure a temperature inside of a container configured to contain the organ or tissue. The temperature sensor is disposed exterior to the organ container and the temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be part of an apparatus for perfusing, transporting, and/or storing an organ or tissue. A coolant container may have an aperture through which the temperature sensor measures a temperature of at least one of the organ or tissue or a perfusate fluid surrounding the organ or tissue. The temperature sensor is preferably an infrared temperature sensor. Multiple temperature sensors may be provided that measure the temperature organ or tissue or perfusate fluid surrounding the organ or tissue, for example in case one of the temperature sensors fails.

A device for stably maintaining the shape of a fragile object in a liquid includes a container for accommodating the fragile object, a lid member for sealing the container, and a protecting member. The device is configured to form a liquid-tight space by covering a liquid surface in the container which accommodates the fragile object and the liquid with the protecting member and further covering the protecting member and an open portion of the container with the lid member.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a biological tissue packaging system, as well as a transport system, and, in some embodiments, comprises a first package, a secondary package, and a tertiary package. Each of the first, second, and tertiary packages is sterilized prior to packaging of a biological tissue therein. The first package comprises a pouch, and a first tray and a first lid configured for removable snap-fit attachment to one another so as to form a clamshell container. The secondary package is configured to contain the first package and interlock therewith. The tertiary package is configured to contain the secondary package and interlock therewith.