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

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a lateral perspective of a preferred embodiment of storage unit and portable storage holder within the scope of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a lateral perspective of a preferred embodiment of another storage unit and holder within the scope of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2A is a plan of view of top (26) of a preferred embodiment of storage unit (20).

(4) FIG. 3 is a lateral perspective of a preferred embodiment of the FIG. 2 storage unit with many of the storage unit's hardware components shown in phantom.

(5) FIG. 4 is diagrammatic representation of a preferred embodiment of a type of network that can be used to communicate/intercommunicate between the operations center and the storage unit.

(6) FIG. 5 is an illustration of the steps of a preferred embodiment of the present system and method.

(7) FIG. 6 is a depiction of the steps of another preferred embodiment of the present system and method.

(8) FIG. 7 is an exemplification of the steps of yet another preferred embodiment of the current system and method.

(9) FIG. 8 is another illustration of the steps of a preferred embodiment of the present system and method.

(10) FIG. 9 is another exemplification of the steps of yet another preferred embodiment of the system and method.

(11) FIG. 10 is another depiction of the steps of another preferred embodiment of the system and method.

(12) FIG. 11 is yet another illustration of the steps of a preferred embodiment of the present system and method.

(13) FIG. 12 is a lateral perspective of a preferred embodiment of storage unit including an ultraviolet light within the scope of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 13 is another illustration of the steps of a preferred embodiment of the present system and method.

(15) FIG. 14 is another exemplification of the steps of yet another preferred embodiment of the system and method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(16) The disclosure hereof is detailed to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and the embodiments published herein merely exemplify the present system, methods and devices and do not limit the scope of the claims appended hereto.

(17) The present system and method is directed primarily toward the preservation of integrity, secure storage and transportation of biological samples or specimens from a secure storage unit to a depository. Within the scope of the current invention, depositories include but are not limited to testing laboratories, storage facilities, cryonic facilities, blood banks or any other facility handling, storing or managing biological specimens or samples. Unique to the current system and method is the storage unit located on the premises proximate the biological specimen handlers. Examples of biological specimen handlers include but are not limited to any person licensed by or legally allowed by a government to handle biological specimens, e.g., medical doctors, nurses, hospital technicians, military technicians, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, to identify a few of the many possible biological specimen handlers. Due to the possibility of breach of the integrity of the biological sample or the potential contamination of couriers and others within the scope of the present invention, prior to deposit into the storage unit, the biological samples are enclosed in enclosures that comply with national, state and local standards for transporting biological samples. By way of illustration, an example of a legal enclosure is a sealable plastic bag designed for enclosing tubes that carry biological samples where the plastic bags and the tubes meet the national, state and local standards for storing and transporting biological specimens or samples.

(18) Select preferred embodiments of the present invention allow an operations center remote from one or more of the storage units to authorize one or more couriers to transport the enclosures to the depository. In other select preferred embodiments of the current system and method, an operations center remote from one or more of the storage units can utilize a network to monitor conditions, status and the environment of one or more of the secure storage units. Networked communications between the storage units and the operations center allow exchange or intercommunication of data between the storage units remote from the operations center and the operations center, thereby allowing the operations center the option to control one or more of the storage units remote from the operations center. Examples of networks that can be associated with the current invention include but are not limited to cellular, satellite, mobile infrastructure, wide area, local area, public and the infrastructure and clouds associated with the identified networks.

(19) In select preferred embodiments of the current invention, directives initiated by the data exchanged between the storage units and the operations center can control movement and scheduled pickup times of the couriers that transport the enclosures containing the biological specimens to the depository.

(20) In other select preferred embodiments of the current invention, an ultraviolet light located in the storage unit is used to reduce microbial growth within the storage unit.

(21) FIG. 1 is a lateral perspective of a preferred embodiment of storage unit (20) and portable storage holder (30) within the scope of the present invention. Portable storage holder (30) can be provided with a layer (32) of insulation, e.g., thermal insulation. By way of illustration and not limitation, insulation layer (32) can be paper, foam or any other insulator acceptable in the art.

(22) For select preferred embodiments of storage unit (20), storage unit (20) has an upper section (22) and lower section (24). Upper section (22) is provided with deposit-only gate (40) and lower section (24) is provided with door (50) and lock (54). As shown in FIG. 1, deposit-only gate (40) is pivotable between an opened and closed position and is provided with handle (42). When closed, deposit-only gate (40) and door (50) and lock (54) combination prevent access to deposited enclosures.

(23) As shown in FIG. 1, storage container (20) is supported by riser (200) and base (202) combination where base (202) can be bolted to the floor with bolts (204). Although not shown, riser (200) can incorporate internal weights instead of bolts to stabilize riser (200). And although not shown in FIG. 1, in select preferred embodiments, storage container (20) can be provided with a vertical mounting bracket to mount storage container to a vertical support such as a wall, column or beam.

(24) FIG. 2 is a lateral perspective of another preferred embodiment of storage unit (20) and portable holder (30) within the scope of the present invention. Select preferred embodiments of storage unit (20) can be provided with a permanent holder instead of a portable holder. Preferred embodiments of holders can include a layer (32) of insulation. By way of illustration and not limitation, layer (32) can be paper, foam or any other insulator acceptable in the art.

(25) As shown in FIGS. 2-3, select preferred embodiments of storage unit (20) can be provided with deposit-only opening (40), door (50) and solenoid and lock (66) combination (60). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, gate or opening (40) is provided with handle (42) and magnet (44). When closed, deposit-only gate or opening (40) and door (50) and solenoid and lock (60) combination prevent access to the deposited enclosures. As shown in phantom in FIG. 2, storage unit (20) is divided into hinged upper section (22) and lower section (24). When required upper section's (22) security lock (28) can be unlocked and hinged upper section (22) pivoted about its hinges to expose storage unit's (20) hardware components and circuitry that will be described more specifically below. In FIG. 3, many of the storage unit's (20) hardware components and circuitry are shown in phantom.

(26) In select preferred embodiments of the current invention, inward side of door (50) is provided with magnet (64) and lock receptacle (62) for receiving lock (66) of solenoid and lock combination (60). In the event of a hardware/software, power or communications network malfunction, can receive a device, e.g., as a key, for manually unlocking door (50). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, antenna (80) extends above top (26) of storage container (20) and intercommunicates with CPU/transceiver or communications module (150) by any means acceptable in the art. In other select preferred embodiments, antenna (80) can be positioned within storage unit (20).

(27) As shown in FIG. 3, energy source for storage unit (20) and its components is a direct current energy source (82), such as a battery. However, in other preferred embodiments, when engineering parameters require, the energy source for storage unit (20) can be alternating current that is converted to direct current to power CPU/transceiver or a communications module (150). As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, select preferred embodiments of storage unit (20) are provided with photovoltaic panel (110) for supplying electrical energy to said direct current energy source (82).

(28) Returning to FIGS. 2-3, proximate deposit-only gate (40) is a gate movement sensor (84) for detecting movement of deposit-only gate or opening (40). Proximate door (50) is door open/close sensor (86). By way of illustration and not limitation, those skilled in the art recognize that the combination of reed switches and magnets (44 and 64) can be utilized to create gate movement sensor (84) and door open/close sensor (86). Storage unit (20) can also be provided with holder detector (90) to detect the presence of portable holder (30).

(29) Select preferred embodiments of the current invention are provided with an enclosure detection sensor (92) capable of detecting entry of enclosures into the permanent holder or portable holder (30) when the holder is locked inside the secure storage unit (20). Enclosure detection sensors (92) can include triboelectric, acoustic, electromagnetic, photoelectric, electromechanical, thermal gradient, piezoelectric, dielectric loss sensors or any other sensor acceptable in the art.

(30) Within the scope of the present invention, storage units (20) can be provided with door opening signal receiver (94). By way of illustration and not limitation, a device such as an infrared key fob remote device, acoustic transmitter or a remote radiofrequency transmitter can be used by a person in proximity with the storage unit (20) to generate a door opening signal toward storage unit's (20) door opening signal receiver (94). Preferred embodiments of storage unit (20) are provided with internal temperature sensor (96).

(31) Within the scope of the current invention, antenna (80), gate movement sensor (84), door open/close sensor (86), holder detector (90), enclosure detection sensor (92), door opening signal receiver (94), internal temperature sensor (96) and solenoid and lock combination (60) communicate/intercommunicate with CPU/transceiver or a communications module (150) by any means acceptable in the art. Select preferred embodiments of storage unit (20) include a CPU/transceiver or a communications module (150) that has an energy source status monitor. Within the scope of the current invention, communications module (150) can be any communications module acceptable in the art capable of communicating with hardware or software components of storage unit (20) and operations center (300).

(32) FIG. 4 is diagrammatic representation of a preferred embodiment of a type of network (200) that can be used to communicate/intercommunicate between operations center (300) and storage unit (20), where operations center (300) is remote from storage unit (20). As shown, remote device (98) can be used to generate a door opening signal toward storage unit's (20) door opening signal receiver (94). In select preferred embodiments, operations center (300) provides one or more couriers operating vehicles (400) and remote devices (98) for unlocking door (50) of storage unit (20). Couriers for vehicles (400) are selected by the operations center (300), an employee, agent or another under the legal authority of the operations center (300). In accordance with the present invention, remote devices (98) utilize embedded key technology that corresponds to the CPU/transmitter's (150) embedded key or serial number. By utilizing network (200), operations center (300) can change the CPU/transmitter's (150) embedded key or serial number thereby altering a courier's admission parameters for storage unit (20).

(33) As shown in FIG. 4, segments of network (200) can include WAN or public internet cloud (202), mobile network to WAN gateway (204), mobile network operator's or wireless service provider's infrastructure or cloud (206), transceiver station (208) proximate storage unit (20) and cellular base station (210) proximate vehicle (400). As previously indicated, operations center (300) is provided with at least one computing device (302), e.g., a server, for monitoring conditions, status and the environment of one or more of the secure storage units (20). Within the scope of the present invention, among other things, computing device (302) can monitor and log, time and quantity of deposits of enclosures into storage unit (20), internal temperature of storage unit (20), status of deposit-only gate (40) and door (50) and status of direct current energy source (82) and retrieval status of the deposited enclosures by the courier. In accordance with the present invention, operations center (300) can utilize the data received from the remote storage units (20) to determine movement and pickup times for the couriers operating vehicles (400) as well as lock/unlock door (50) when a courier is present at storage unit.

(34) A preferred embodiment of storage unit (20) is shown in FIG. 12. Ultraviolet light (180), ballast (190) and portable holder (30) are shown in phantom. Ballast (190) is connected with ultraviolet light (180) and can also be connected to direct current energy source (82) (not shown in this view). Within the scope of the present system, ultraviolet light (180) can be a low pressure/medium pressure mercury vapor arc or a LED. Ultraviolet light irradiation, having a wavelength of about 253 nanometers, is a germicide. For select preferred embodiments of the current system, when storage unit (20) is empty of deposited enclosures, ultraviolet light (180) is activated, for a predetermined time, to reduce microbial growth within storage unit (20). It is believed that the reduction of microbial growth decreases the possibility of cross contamination with the continued use of storage unit (20).

(35) Select steps associated with the system and methods of practicing the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 5-11, 13 and 14.

(36) Having disclosed the invention as required by Title 35 of the United States Code, Applicants now pray respectfully that Letters Patent be granted for their invention in accordance with the scope of the claims appended hereto.