Mini-incubator carrier box "Mini-incubator"

Abstract

The carriers that are available in the market don't maintain all the necessary parameters that I am mentioning in my invention. Many of them are: 1) Costly 2) Allow the transport of cells for short period of time 3) Are suitable for transporting certain type of cells 4) Don't include control for all the parameters that are required for the experiments 4) Need extra steps which can affect the experiment/organs and waste the time, efforts and money of the researchers. 5) Limit the researchers for using containers with certain sizes and materials.

Alternatively, the Mini-incubator carrier box in my invention is an economic transport system. It enables the researchers to fix different containers using clamps and screws and to transport the organs/samples/cells in any container for long period of time and long distance under optimized conditions without the need of extra steps/costs.

Claims

1. Mini-incubator carrier box that is chargeable, small in size, light in weight and cost effective for transporting all kinds of live cells and biological samples using different fixed containers at adjusted balanced conditions (temperature, humidity & gas levels) for long distances and long period of time without limiting the researchers to certain conditions. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box is made out of fireproof and waterproof inert material. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box has a handle to allow carrying the box. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box has proper sealing to isolate the environment inside the box from the external one. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box can be operated with a battery that can be charged using a charger or adapter to enable moving the Mini-incubator easily. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box includes knobs for adjusting the readings of the temperature, humidity and the levels of CO.sub.2/O.sub.2. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box is equipped with a control system for monitoring the temperature, humidity & CO.sub.2/O.sub.2 levels. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box contains a digital screen as a parameter display. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box has inlet nozzle(s) for injecting CO.sub.2/O.sub.2 and outlet nozzle(s) to enable the air outlet. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box is supplemented with proof rusting stainless steel trays, clamps and screws to fix the samples during the transport. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box is equipped with a water reservoir that has perforated cover, programmable controllable motor, fan, pressure sensor, temperature sensor (such as thermostat and thermometer), humidity sensor, O.sub.2 sensor, CO.sub.2 sensor, HEPA filters & control system. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box is designed to store the accessories that are necessary for transporting the samples for long distances [Carbogen gas cylinder to provide 95% O.sub.2 and 5% CO.sub.2, connection tubes & spray bottle of an EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) registered disinfectant such as quaternary ammonium disinfectant]. Wherein the Mini-incubator carrier box is arranged to include an outlet pressure gauge (to show the pressures of the gases leaving the box) and a pressure gauge that shows the gas pressure in the box.

2. Chargeable Mini-incubator carrier box that can be designed with extra features (such as rotator, stirrer, shaker and cooling system) to enable the transport of the cells/samples under different conditions that are necessary for the experiments.

3. Mini-incubator carrier box that is effective in transporting human organs at body temperature in the hospitals to avoid cooling and warming the organ before the transplantation surgeries and the consequences of this process on the function and the activity of the organ.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES AND DRAWINGS

[0095] FIG. 1 displays a diagram for the Mini-incubator carrier box and the parts of this box as the following: Number 1, 2 & 3 are the places of 3 clips; Number 4 is the handle of the Mini-incubator carrier box; Number 5 is the water reservoir, Number 6 shows the power switch and the fan switch; Number 7 is the place of the 2 arrows that are used to adjust the readings in the Mini-incubator carrier box; Number 8 is the digital screen; Number 9 is the place of 3 knobs to control the temperature, humidity and the levels of CO.sub.2/O.sub.2; Number 10 is an inlet nozzle for the injection of the CO.sub.2/O.sub.2; Number 11 is an outlet nozzle; Number 12 is the CO.sub.2/O.sub.2 container; Number 13 is a hole for the adapter plug or the charger plug.

[0096] FIG. 2 shows a diagram for the stainless steel tray with a 24 well-plate fixed on top of the tray by clamps. [0097] Number 1, 2, 3 & 4 are the places of 4 clamps; Number 5 is a 24 well-plate; Number 6 is a stainless steel tray.

[0098] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram for the stainless steel tray with an Erlenmeyer flask placed on top of it using an additional flat base that is fixed by clamps on top of the tray in order to give a strong hold and fixation to the flask and other heavy laboratory wares. [0099] Number 1, 2, 3 & 4 are the places of 4 clamps; Number 5 is a base; Number 6 is an Erlenmeyer flask.

[0100] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom of the stainless steel tray. The tray will be used to place the container of the cells/samples on top of it then fix it with clamps that will be connected with screws on the bottom of the tray.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the screws that will be used to fix the clamps in the bottom of the stainless steel tray to hold the plate or the container of the cells/samples.

[0102] FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram for the Mini-incubator carrier box with an open lid. The Figure shows the interior part of the box that is made of stainless steel. The Figure shows 2 Petri-dishes fixed on top of the stainless steel tray by clamps to prevent their movement and to prevent the waste of the growth media or the liquid from the Petri-dishes.

[0103] FIG. 7: The design and the shape of the Mini-incubator carrier box in white color (FIG. 7A) and black color (FIG. 7B).

[0104] FIG. 8 displays a diagram for the Mini-incubator carrier box with a special design in which 2 additional compartments are added to the outside of the box as safe storage for the Carbogen gas cylinder and other accessories of the Mini-incubator carrier box such as connection tube & spray bottle of an EPA-registered disinfectant (e.g. quaternary ammonium disinfectant). The design allows the researcher to transport the samples/cells/organs for long distance and when the needed time for the transport exceeds the calculated time for the shelf life of the gas in the Mini-incubator carrier box.

[0105] FIG. 9 displays another diagram for the special design for the Mini-incubator carrier box that is explained in FIG. 8.

[0106] FIG. 10: Charger for the battery of the Mini-incubator carrier box.

[0107] FIG. 11: Carbogen gas cylinder to provide 95% O.sub.2 and 5% CO.sub.2 in the Mini-incubator carrier box.

[0108] FIG. 12: Tube for connecting the gas cylinders to the Mini-incubator carrier box.

[0109] FIG. 13: Spray bottle that can be filled with an EPA-registered disinfectant (e.g. quaternary ammonium disinfectant) to prevent contamination and infections in the Mini-incubator carrier box.