GB2393242A

GB2393242A - Heated container for catheter transportation

Info

Publication number: GB2393242A
Application number: GB0317879A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giles Andrew Bishop
Original assignee: Smiths Group PLC
Current assignee: Smiths Group PLC
Priority date: 2002-08-13
Filing date: 2003-07-31
Publication date: 2004-03-24
Also published as: GB0218754D0; GB0317879D0

Abstract

A portable enclosure for an embryo transfer catheter, the enclosure featuring an opening 6 through which the catheter can be placed in the enclosure and self contained heating means for the heating of the enclosure to maintain the temperature of the catheter. The heating means may include an electrical heating element (7, figure 1) powered by a rechargeable battery (8, figure 1). The container may be a box like structure with a hinged lid 3. A temperature display (16, figure 1) may be included to show the temperature within the enclosure. A timer may be provided with a time displayed on the display (17, figure 1) to show how long the catheter has been within the enclosure. The enclosure may feature foam material 13 for support of the catheter. The enclosure may include provision for a gas supply (30,31,31, figure 1) to the interior of the container such that the embryo is bathed in the gas, which may be carbon dioxide or an air/carbon dioxide mix. The heating means may as an alternative to the electric heating means be a wax or gel in the enclosure which is heated prior to its insertion in the enclosure for dissipation of residual heat.

Description

ENCLOSURES

This invention relates to enclosures.

The invention is more particularly concerned with enclosures for embryo transfer catheters. Embryo transfer catheters are used to transport an embryo from a location where the embryo was fertilised to the woman in whom the embryo is to be transferred. One end of the catheter is inserted in the uterus and the embryo is expelled from the catheter to the uterus.

The embryo is fertilised and grown under carefully controlled conditions in a culture medium, in particular, care is taken to keep the embryo at the correct temperature to encourage its growth. Although the embryo in the catheter is transported as quickly as possible, there can often be delays in transferring the embryo to the patient. In particular, if the position of the uterus is found to be difficult, the surgeon may need to manipulate it for insertion of the catheter. This can delay insertion of the embryo and may lead to a drop in its temperature while the catheter is exposed to room temperature.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosure for an embryo transfer catheter that will help maintain the desired temperature of the catheter.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable enclosure for an embryo transfer catheter, the enclosure having an opening through which the

catheter can be placed in the enclosure, and self-contained heating means for heating the enclosure to maintain the temperature of the catheter.

The heating means may comprise an electrical heating element and a battery, which is preferably rechargeable. The enclosure may include a connector mounted on the enclosure and connected with the battery, the connector being adapted for connection to an external charger. The enclosure is preferably a box-like structure with a hinged lid by which the opening can be opened and closed. The enclosure preferably includes a temperature display arranged to show the temperature within the enclosure. The enclosure may include timer means and a time display arranged to show how long the catheter has been within the enclosure. The timer means is preferably started when the lid is closed after insertion of the catheter. The enclosure may include provision for gas supply to the interior of the enclosure.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly of an enclosure according to the above one aspect of the invention, a pouch within the enclosure and an embryo transfer catheter within the pouch.

An enclosure in the form of a box according to the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the box; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the box with its lid open; and

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the box with its lid closed.

The box is rectangular in shape having an outer shell 1 of a moulded plastics material providing a base 2 and a lid 3 hinged along one edge 4.

The base 2 contains an insert 5 of a foamed plastics material and having a rectangular recess 6 on its upper surface shaped to receive an embryo transfer catheter 20. Beneath the insert 5 the base 2 contains heating means in the form of an electrical heating element 7, such as a wire extending in boustrophedon fashion below the recess. The heating element 7 is connected to a rechargeable battery 8 via a control unit 9, which receives an input from a temperature sensor 10 located in the recess 6. The battery 8 is connected to a connector 11 on the shell 1 by which the battery can be connected to an external power source (not shown) for recharging. The control unit 9 controls power supply to the element 7 such as to maintain the temperature in the recess at the desired level, typically 37 C. The base 2 also has a contact sensor 12 on its upper surface, which is arranged to sense when the lid 3 is closed. The contact sensor 12 provides an output to the control unit 9 for a purpose that will be explained below. The lid 3 similarly contains an insert 13 of a soft foam material shaped to project into the recess 6 in the base 2 when the lid is closed. The shell of the lid 3 supports a display 14 and a light 15, which are electrically connected with the control unit 9 in the base 2. The display 14 has a first region 16 in which is represented the temperature within the recess 6, as sensed by the sensor 10, and a second region 17 in which is represented the time for which the catheter 20 has been within the box. The time is derived from the control unit 9, which

includes a timer function triggered by the contact sensor 12 so that the time display 17 shows the time since the box was closed. The light 15 is arranged to provide a confirmation that the embryo is in a satisfactory condition for transfer or an indication when the embryo may have been subject to an unfavourable environment. In particular, the light 15 shows a green colour when the temperature within the box and the time for which the catheter 20 has been in the box are within acceptable ranges. If, however, the temperature should fall for too long a period, such as caused by discharge of the battery 8, the light 15 changes to a red colour to indicate that the embryo may no longer be viable. The control unit 9 performs the processing to determine when a safe limit has been exceeded from the timer and temperature measurements. The embryo transfer catheter 20 is placed in a sterile pouch 21 before insertion in the box so as to protect the inside of the box and the catheter from contamination. The dimensions of the inside facing surfaces of the base 2 and lid 3 are such that they provide a very light gripping contact on the catheter 20 within the pouch 21 so as to prevent movement of the catheter within the box. The base 2 and lid 3 have engaging catches 18 and 19 on their free edges opposite the hinge 4 so as to keep the box closed until the catches are released.

Various modifications could be made to the invention. For example, the heating means need not be electrical but could be provided, for example, by a wax or gel in the enclosure heated by some external heater so that it retains and dissipates its heat gradually when removed from the heater. The enclosure could be of various different shapes and materials. The enclosure could have a port, indicated by the broken outline 30 opening into the interior of the enclosure. A gas cylinder 31 containing 5% carbon dioxide is connected to

this port 30. The port 30 includes a pressure regulator 32 producing a slow flow of gas to the interior of the box so that the embryo and its culture medium are bathed in the gas. This gas mixture is commonly used to preserve the culture medium in which the embryo is contained.

Alternatively, the gas cylinder could contain 100% carbon dioxide and the port could include a mixer to mix this with air and thereby achieve the desired 5% composition. Where gas is supplied to the interior of the enclosure, the inserts would need to be of a material that was freely permeable by the gas.The box could be large enough so that it can also contain the syringe used with the catheter, so that the syringe does not have to be detached when the catheter is placed in the box.

The present invention provides a self-contained, portable device that protects the embryo both thermally and from contamination. Because the enclosure is compact and self-

contained it can be given to the patient to hold without risk of damage. By ensuring effective protection of the embryo right up to the moment of transfer it may be possible to increase the rate of successful implantation.

Claims

A portable enclosure for an embryo transfer catheter, wherein the enclosure has an opening through which the catheter can be placed in the enclosure and self-contained heating means for heating the enclosure to maintain the temperature of the catheter.
2. An enclosure according to Claim 1, wherein the heating means includes an electrical

heating element and a battery.
3. An enclosure according to Claim 2, wherein the battery is rechargeable.
4. An enclosure according to Claim 3 including an electrical connector mounted on the enclosure and connected with the battery, and wherein the connector is adapted for connection to an external charger.
5. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosure is a box-like structure with a hinged lid by which the opening can be opened and closed.
6. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims including a temperature display arranged to show the temperature within the enclosure.
7. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims including timer means and a time display arranged to show how long the catheter has been within the enclosure.
8. An enclosure according to Claim 7, wherein the timer means is started when the lid is closed after insertion of the catheter.
9. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosure includes provision for gas supply to the interior of the enclosure.
10. An enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An assembly including an enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, a pouch within the enclosure and an embryo transfer catheter within the pouch.
12. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the . accompanying drawings.
13. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features as hereinbefore described.