Sample container for stabilizing and aligning excised biological tissue samples for ex vivo analysis

An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:

• a sample bag having an opening and defining an inner volume, the sample bag configured to receive the biological tissue sample and having a first inner volume in a first configuration and a second inner volume less than the first inner volume in a second configuration;
• a sealing member coupled to a circumference of the opening of the sample bag;
• an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag and
• configured to be placed in contact with a portion of the biological tissue sample;
• and
• a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag,
• wherein withdrawing air from the inner volume of the sample bag moves the sample bag from the first configuration to the second configuration.

An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:

• a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample;
• a sealing member coupled to the sample bag;
• an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag and configured to be placed in contact with a portion of the biological tissue sample;
• a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag;
• and
• a locking mechanism including a channel, the channel having a first end that is substantially open and a second end that is substantially closed.

An apparatus for holding a biological tissue sample in a substantially fixed position, the apparatus comprising:

• a sample bag defining an opening and having an inner volume configured to receive the biological tissue sample;
• a sealing member coupled to the opening of the sample bag;
• an imaging window substantially spanning the opening of the sample bag and
• configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample;
• a positioning member coupled to the imaging window and configured to be disposed against the sealing member, the positioning member including a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag;
• a receiving member having a channel to which a portion of the positioning member is configured to be disposed;
• and
• a plurality of registration points disposed about the receiving member and configured to arrest movement of the positioning member once a portion of the positioning member is disposed within the channel.