EP3017869A1 - Transport- und Lagerbehälter für Trockenblutprobenkarten - Google Patents

Transport- und Lagerbehälter für Trockenblutprobenkarten Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3017869A1
EP3017869A1 EP14003715.1A EP14003715A EP3017869A1 EP 3017869 A1 EP3017869 A1 EP 3017869A1 EP 14003715 A EP14003715 A EP 14003715A EP 3017869 A1 EP3017869 A1 EP 3017869A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compartment
container
blood
port
outlet port
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14003715.1A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mario Thevis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Deutsche Sporthochschule Koln
Original Assignee
Deutsche Sporthochschule Koln
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsche Sporthochschule Koln filed Critical Deutsche Sporthochschule Koln
Priority to EP14003715.1A priority Critical patent/EP3017869A1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2015/002134 priority patent/WO2016070971A1/en
Publication of EP3017869A1 publication Critical patent/EP3017869A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L9/00—Supporting devices; Holding devices
    • B01L9/52—Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/14—Process control and prevention of errors
    • B01L2200/141—Preventing contamination, tampering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/18—Transport of container or devices
    • B01L2200/185—Long distance transport, e.g. mailing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
    • B01L2300/0822—Slides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/10—Means to control humidity and/or other gases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/06—Valves, specific forms thereof
    • B01L2400/0605—Valves, specific forms thereof check valves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/06—Valves, specific forms thereof
    • B01L2400/0694—Valves, specific forms thereof vents used to stop and induce flow, backpressure valves

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dried-blood-spot-card shipping and storage container.
  • Dried-blood-spot-cards abbreviated as DBS-cards are typically used for collecting, packaging, storing and shipping of blood samples as dried blood spots. These dried blood spots are prepared by applying a small amount of blood to cards, which are typically made of paper, particularly filter paper.
  • An example of a suitable card is Whatman protein saver 903 paper.
  • the blood becomes dry on the card and may be shipped for further processing, for example to a laboratory in order to analyse the blood, particularly regarding the existence of drugs or other analytes in the blood. Accordingly DBS-cards can also be used for analyzing blood samples of athletes.
  • DBS-cards are prepared far away from the laboratory for example directly at a competition site. Consequently there is a need to ship the DBS-cards to the laboratory what is typically done by using storage bags, made of flexible plastic. DBS-cards are inserted into such a bag, typically together with a desiccant pack, the bag is closed under environmental atmospheric conditions and shipped.
  • the DBS-cards Prior to packing the DBS-cards are labeled, generally with a barcode that is assigned to the person from which the blood sample or samples originate. Not mentioning any clear text names on the cards keeps the blood sample anonymous during processing in the laboratory.
  • this object is solved with a DBS-card shipping and storage container, the container comprising at least one compartment, the at least one compartment being adapted to receive at least one dried-blood-spot card and being openable and being air-tight closable with a closure, preferably the at least one compartment having a respective closure, preferably a closure being a cover, preferably a hinged cover.
  • the container furthermore comprises at least one outlet port, the outlet port being in fluid connection with at least one compartment, preferably the gas flow direction of the port out of the compartment being defined by a one-way check valve, preferably the one-way check valve being incorporated in the outlet port. Fluid connection through the port thus exist if the incorporated valve is open.
  • the container comprises at least one compartment that is adapted in its size, particularly length and width so that typical DBS-cards may be received in the compartment without any manipulation on the card like cutting.
  • a preferred internal length and internal width may be for example at least 8,6 cm x 5,8 cm.
  • the internal height of at least one compartment of the container may be adapted to receive at least one DBS-card, preferably more than one DBS-card in the compartment.
  • the respective compartment may comprise spacers that allow stacking of the cards without contact between the cards.
  • Such spacers may be arranged, particularly fixed on an internal surface of a wall of the compartment, preferably on opposite wall surfaces or may be separate elements like frames, particularly the frames having the size of a respective card, particularly the frames at least having spaces at the positions where blood spots are located on the cards.
  • Fixed spacers may be used to put cards into the compartment, solely the rim of the cards contacting the spacers.
  • Separate, particularly frame shaped spacers may be stacked between two respective cards to keep a distance between the cards according to thickness of the spacer.
  • an outlet port preferably at least one outlet port is connected to the compartment of the container, i.e. to the internal volume of the compartment, particularly when the container or compartment is airtight sealed.
  • Airtight sealing the container means in this context that no gas exchange is possible between the internal volume of the container and the external environment on condition of typical environmental atmospheric pressure, i.e. typ. 1013 mbar and a given pressure interval surrounding this pressure value. Gas exchange may be possible and intended through the valves furthermore described in this specification on condition of overpressure or underpressure compared to the environmental pressure or pressure interval boundaries.
  • Such a port may be a tubular or channel-like connector in the external surface of the container providing a fluid connection between the internal volume of the compartment and the external environment of the container. It is essential that the outlet port is closable, for example by means of a closable valve, preferably a self-closable valve, most preferred by means of an one-way valve that may have a typical construction of a check valve.
  • the valve itself may be adapted to define the gas flow direction of the outlet port, i.e. from the internal volume of the compartment towards the external environment.
  • the valve may be incorporated into the outlet port.
  • a container just having a single compartment may have only one outlet port associated with this compartment.
  • a container having more than one compartment, preferably two separate compartments may have at least one respective outlet port for each compartment.
  • a possible embodiment may have at least one outlet port that is associated with all compartments, meaning that a fluid connection exists between all compartments and this at least one outlet port.
  • the compartments may be connected to each other by means of a valve, for example a valve situated in a wall separating two respective compartments. Also this valve is closable, particularly self-closable and most preferred embodied as a one way valve, defining a gas flow direction towards the outlet port.
  • an outlet port may be used to change the atmosphere in the at least one compartment to which it is connected, preferably by evacuating the at least one compartment through the outlet port.
  • a vacuum pump may be connected to the outlet port. All valves situated in the gas flow will preferably close automatically if the vacuum pump is disconnected or switched off. Of course manually operating the valve or valves is possible.
  • Reducing the pressure in the respective compartment or compartments will improve storage times since reducing the content of oxygen and/or humidity in a compartment comprising at least one DBS-card will prevent deterioration of blood.
  • the container also comprises at least one inlet port, the inlet port being in fluid connection with at least one compartment.
  • an inlet port is closable, preferably by means of a valve.
  • the gas flow direction of the inlet port i.e. from the outside of the container into a compartment may be defined by a one-way valve, preferably the one-way valve being incorporated in the inlet port.
  • the one-way valve may be a check valve of common construction.
  • Outlet port an inlet port may be identical in construction.
  • the atmosphere in the at least one compartment by means of flushing a respective compartment with a gaseous fluid via the inlet and outlet port.
  • a gaseous fluid is used for that like nitrogen or noble gases.
  • Gaseous fluid is forced for example by overpressure into the inlet port.
  • a pressurized gas bottle may be simply connected to the at least one inlet port for that purpose. The pressurized gas automatically opens all one-way valves in the line of gas flow and escapes from the outlet port of the container to the environment.
  • the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port may be arranged on opposite sides of a compartment or at least the container.
  • the container comprises a first and a second compartment, each compartment being adapted to receive at least one dried-blood-spot card and each compartment being independently air-tight closable with its closure and openable without breaking the air-tightness of the other compartment, particularly each compartment having its own openable and air-tight closable cover, preferably hinged cover.
  • the respective cover may also be transparent in order to get optical / visual access to the labeled information on a DBS-card, for example for laser scanning without the need to open the container.
  • a container with two or more compartments also provides the possibility to handle A and B samples or even more samples of athletes.
  • the compartment of Sample B may remain air-tight closed during examination of Sample A and only be opened if the result of sample A needs to be rechecked.
  • each compartment may have an own respective outlet port only or an own respective set of outlet and inlet port, the respective port or set of ports being in fluid connection to this compartment only, particularly on condition of opened valves, i.e. at least during evacuation or flushing.
  • all compartments may have a common outlet port or a common set of outlet and inlet port, the common port or common set of ports being in fluid connection to all compartments simultaneously (i.e. at least during evacuation or flushing) and neighboring compartments may be separated from each other by a respective internal wall of the container, the wall comprising at least one closable passage port, preferably a one-way valve, particularly a check valve defining a gas flow in all compartments towards the common outlet port.
  • gas from a specific compartment may enter at least one other compartment in advance of escaping through the common outlet port.
  • the containers of all possible embodiments may be formed of at least two - preferably rigid - shells, particularly formed of one lower - preferably rigid - shell forming a bottom part of the container and for each compartment formed of a respective - preferably rigid - upper shell, the at least one upper shell forming an air-tight closable top part of the container, preferable all ports being arranged in the lower shell.
  • An air tight seal may be formed by a sealing, particular sealing lid, effective between bottom shell and upper shell(s).
  • a rigid shell may be formed of a plastic material, particularly thermoplast or duroplast, and preferably PVC.
  • a preferred embodiment of a container may comprise an intermediate bottom in a compartment, particularly in each of more compartments, a drying agent (desiccant) being positioned or at least positionable under the intermediate bottom.
  • the intermediate bottom may comprise through holes or is formed as a grid. Consequently any humidity remaining after evacuation or flushing may be absorbed by this agent.
  • the container may have a proof of originality assigned to each closure / cover of each compartment, the closure / cover being openable only by breaking the proof of originality, the proof of originality not being restorable if broken.
  • a proof of originality may be formed of a ratchet connection between lower shell and an upper shell.
  • a compartment may only be opened upon destroying the ratchet.
  • a broken proof of originality renders the blood sample on the DBS-card(s) in the respective compartment void, since a manipulation may have taken place in advance of further processing in the laboratory.
  • a method for solving the aforementioned object comprises at least the following steps:
  • This method may be further improved by the step that drying the blood on the inserted card or cards is enhanced prior to shipping by flushing the compartment or compartments for a certain, preferably predetermined time, particularly flushing until a measured value of humidity of the flushing gas released from the container is less than a set threshold.
  • the outlet port may be connected to a measuring device for measurement of the humidity in the escaping flushing gas.
  • the measuring device may provide a signalization, particularly by light or sound if the measured value of humidity is less than the threshold. Flushing may also stop automatically in that case with or without the mentioned signalization.
  • Figure 1 shows a container according to the invention comprising a rigid bottom shell 1 and a rigid upper shell 2, the shell 2 forming a top cover having a hinge connection to the bottom shell 1. Both shells, when closed, confine a compartment in the container for receiving a dried blood spot card 3 having several blood spots 4 and a label 5, i.e. barcode.
  • the bottom shell 1 furthermore comprises an intermediate bottom 6 having the shape of a grid or plate with holes. Underneath the intermediate bottom 6 a not shown desiccant may be placed.
  • the intermediate bottom 6 is not mandatory and may be omitted.
  • the prepared dried blood spot card 3 is placed into the lower shell and the container is closed by rotation of the cover shell 2. Both shells may also be separate parts.
  • the mentioned hinge connection is not mandatory and may be omitted.
  • Air tight means in this context that there is no chance of gas exchange between the environment and the inner volume of the compartment even though the container comprises an inlet port 7 and an outlet port 8 since these port are normally (under environmental conditions) both closed by incorporated check valves defining a possible gas flow direction according to the arrows 9.
  • the incorporated valves are closed unless they are forced to open by pressurized flushing gas directed to the inlet port 9.
  • the flushing gas will pass through the compartment end exit the compartment through the outlet port 8.
  • the flushing gas preferably an inert gas and most preferred nitrogen.
  • ratchet element 10a When closing the shells on each edge opposite to the hinge a ratchet element 10a engages a mating ratchet element 10b. If no hinge connection exist these ratchet elements may be arranged in all edges of the two shells. After engagement of the corresponding ratchet elements these elements may not be separated anymore unless they are destroyed. Accordingly the ratchet elements form a proof of originality ensuring that no manipulation has taken place after closing the container if the elements are undamaged.
  • an additional seal or pledge may be arranged on the cover 1.
  • Figure 2 shows a second preferred embodiment comprising two compartments instead of one compartment in figure 1 .
  • Like elements have the like references in comparison to figure 1 .
  • the bottom shell 1 is separated into to parts arranged side by side and being separated by the internal wall 12.
  • the wall 12 comprises at least one closable, preferably self closable passage port incorporating a one way valve 13.
  • the gas flow direction defined by this/these valve(s) 13 corresponds to the direction of inlet and outlet port.
  • Different blood samples particularly sample A und sample B of the same person may be inserted into the two respective compartments and both compartments may be closed with the upper shell or upper shells 2a and 2b.
  • These two shells may be separate or may be formed in one piece. Having two separate cover shells 2a and 2b provides the possibility to open one of the compartments independent from the other and without breaking the air tightness of the other compartment.
  • the two compartments may be flushed with gas simultaneously via the common inlet and outlet ports 7 and 8 and the passage port 13. After flushing all valves in all ports 7, 8, 13 will close automatically providing an airtight seal under ambient conditions.
  • each compartment has its own set of ratchet elements 10a / 10b.
  • the containers of figure 1 and 2 may be shipped to the laboratory or may also be stored for a longer time compared to the state of the art in which the DBS-cards are untreated. Deterioration of the blood or its contents is retarded due to the exchange of atmosphere in the container(s) particularly by the exchange of oxygen and reduction of humidity.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP14003715.1A 2014-11-05 2014-11-05 Transport- und Lagerbehälter für Trockenblutprobenkarten Withdrawn EP3017869A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14003715.1A EP3017869A1 (de) 2014-11-05 2014-11-05 Transport- und Lagerbehälter für Trockenblutprobenkarten
PCT/EP2015/002134 WO2016070971A1 (en) 2014-11-05 2015-10-28 Dried-blood-spot-card shipping and storage container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14003715.1A EP3017869A1 (de) 2014-11-05 2014-11-05 Transport- und Lagerbehälter für Trockenblutprobenkarten

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3017869A1 true EP3017869A1 (de) 2016-05-11

Family

ID=51900062

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14003715.1A Withdrawn EP3017869A1 (de) 2014-11-05 2014-11-05 Transport- und Lagerbehälter für Trockenblutprobenkarten

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3017869A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2016070971A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019150009A1 (fr) * 2018-02-05 2019-08-08 L'etat Français Représenté Par Le Ministère De L'intérieur Dispositif de stockage à température ambiante de matériels biologiques

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017147456A1 (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-08-31 Partnership For Clean Competition Multilayer device for separating blood components and uses thereof
WO2018231960A1 (en) * 2017-06-13 2018-12-20 Veterinary Diagnostics Institute, Inc. System and procedure for stabilizing, storing and recovering blood samples
EP4004543A4 (de) * 2019-07-29 2023-08-16 Siscapa Assay Technologies, Inc. Vorrichtungen und verfahren zur probenentnahme

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943987A (en) * 1974-10-17 1976-03-16 Rossi Thomas J Reclosable air-tight containers with evacuation means
US20030235520A1 (en) * 2002-06-21 2003-12-25 Shea Laurence R. Array assay devices and methods of using the same
US20120315189A1 (en) * 2011-05-11 2012-12-13 Emd Millipore Corporation Immunoassay Product And Process
US20140011294A1 (en) * 2005-11-03 2014-01-09 EMO Millipore Corporation Immunoassay Product and Process
WO2014153181A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-25 Spot On Sciences, Inc. Biological sample collection and preservation

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6648862B2 (en) * 2001-11-20 2003-11-18 Spheric Products, Ltd. Personally portable vacuum desiccator
ATE497837T1 (de) * 2004-04-09 2011-02-15 Vivebio Llc Vorrichtungen und verfahren für abnahme, lagerung und transport von biologischen proben
DE102005009065A1 (de) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-24 Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen Kryokonservierung von definierten Zellverbänden
WO2008128360A1 (de) * 2007-04-20 2008-10-30 Liconic Ag Nutzraum mit fremdkeimunterdrückung

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943987A (en) * 1974-10-17 1976-03-16 Rossi Thomas J Reclosable air-tight containers with evacuation means
US20030235520A1 (en) * 2002-06-21 2003-12-25 Shea Laurence R. Array assay devices and methods of using the same
US20140011294A1 (en) * 2005-11-03 2014-01-09 EMO Millipore Corporation Immunoassay Product and Process
US20120315189A1 (en) * 2011-05-11 2012-12-13 Emd Millipore Corporation Immunoassay Product And Process
WO2014153181A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-25 Spot On Sciences, Inc. Biological sample collection and preservation

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019150009A1 (fr) * 2018-02-05 2019-08-08 L'etat Français Représenté Par Le Ministère De L'intérieur Dispositif de stockage à température ambiante de matériels biologiques
FR3077509A1 (fr) * 2018-02-05 2019-08-09 L Etat Francais Represente Par Le Ministere De L Interieur Dispositif de stockage a temperature ambiante de materiels biologiques

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2016070971A1 (en) 2016-05-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
ES2651241T3 (es) Métodos y aparatos de empaquetado en vacío para tabaco
EP3017869A1 (de) Transport- und Lagerbehälter für Trockenblutprobenkarten
US20170182195A1 (en) Vent valve arrangement for a sterilization container held under vacuum
US20190390903A1 (en) Apparatus for maintaining a controlled environment
EP2054304B1 (de) Verpackung mit einem element zur gesteuerten änderung des gasgehalts in der verpackung
US10112764B2 (en) Pouch with incorporated loss of integrity indicator, method for making such a bag, and method for using same
EP1899704B1 (de) Vorrichtung und verfahren zur aufbewahrung empfindlicher materialien
CN101678939B (zh) 无菌包装和使用这种包装的灭菌方法
US20070095712A1 (en) Shipping container for hazardous materials
US20220187016A1 (en) Apparatus for maintaining a controlled environment
US20050023179A1 (en) Fragile-product cage for vacuum packaging appliances
US20130190652A1 (en) Sample retention device
BRPI0713624A2 (pt) embalagem para um produto sensìvel a oxigêneo, e, processo para acondicionar um produto sensìvel a oxigêneo
KR101159637B1 (ko) 가스배출이 가능한 밀폐용기
US11143571B2 (en) Film chamber having double film
CN205738661U (zh) 一种中药材保存真空袋
KR101876324B1 (ko) 진공 데시케이터
NO315195B1 (no) Fremgangsmåte og anordning for kvalitetssikret transport
CN213893379U (zh) 一种片烟烟叶样品储存盒
CN214139448U (zh) 一种微流控芯片包装组合
AU2022224757A1 (en) Sample Port for Packaging
KR100717155B1 (ko) 공기 배출수단을 구비하는 밀폐 용기
CN101007577A (zh) 一种新型食物保鲜容器
CN203767245U (zh) 一种烟叶储存装置
TWM569315U (zh) Packaging bag fresh-keeping exhaust valve structure

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20161112