Portable apparatus for storing and/or transporting biological samples, tissues and/or organs

An apparatus comprising:

• containing means for containing therein a material for storage and/or transport, the containing means comprising an inner shell disposed within an outer shell, the inner shell being formed of a material having high thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature and the outer shell being formed of inner and outer shell members formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature and having a first chamber formed therebetween;
• insulating means for insulating the outer shell, the insulating means being disposed within the first chamber;
• phase change means for cooling a material contained within the containing means, the phase change means being disposed within a second chamber formed between the inner and outer shells and having cut-outs for receiving therein a cryogenic material to freeze or charge the phase change means;
• and
• sealing means for sealing a material for storage and/or transport within a third chamber formed by the inner shell of the containing means.

A method of preserving a material during storage and/or transport, the method comprising:

• placing a material for storage and/or transport in a container comprising:
• an inner shell disposed within an outer shell, the inner shell being formed of a material having high thermal conductivity and high resistivity to high temperature and the outer shell being formed of inner and outer shell members formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature and having a first chamber formed therebetween;
• an insulation layer disposed within the first chamber;
• and
• a phase change material disposed within a second chamber formed between the inner and outer shells;
• freezing or charging the phase change material by placing a cryogenic material into cutouts formed in the phase change material;
• applying a vacuum to the first chamber;
• and
• sealing the material for storage and/or transport within a third chamber formed by the inner shell.

An apparatus comprising:

• an outer shell formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature;
• an inner shell formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature and so disposed as to form a first chamber between the outer shell and the inner shell and a second chamber for receiving therein a material for storage and/or transport;
• an insulation layer disposed within the first chamber, the insulation layer being sealed within the first chamber;
• at least one of a filler material disposed within the second chamber pre-chilled in a cryogenic fluid and an insert that contains a phase change material disposed within the second chamber pre-charged with a cryogenic fluid so as to maintain the temperature within the second chamber within a p redetermined range;
• and
• a lid for sealing a material for storage and/or transport within the apparatus.

A method of preserving a material during storage and/or transport, the method comprising:

• placing a material for storage and/or transport in a container comprising:
• an outer shell formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature;
• an inner shell formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature and so disposed as to form a first chamber between the outer shell and the inner shell and a second chamber for receiving therein a material for storage and/or transport;
• an insulation layer disposed within the first chamber, the insulation layer being sealed within the first chamber;
• and
• an insert that contains a phase change material disposed within the second chamber;
• freezing or charging the phase change material by one of storing the insert in a cryogenic material or refrigeration device prior to use and placing a cryogenic material into cutouts formed in the phase change material;
• applying a vacuum to the first and second chambers;
• and
• sealing the material for storage and/or transport within the second chamber.

A method of preserving a material during storage and/or transport, the method comprising:

• placing a material for storage and/or transport in a container comprising:
• an outer shell formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature;
• an inner shell formed of a material having low thermal conductivity and high resistivity to low temperature and so disposed as to form a first chamber between the outer shell and the inner shell and a second chamber for receiving therein a material for storage and/or transport;
• and
• an insulation layer disposed within the first chamber, the insulation layer being sealed within the first chamber;
• filling the second chamber with a filler material pre-chilled in a cryogenic material;
• applying a vacuum to the first and second chambers;
• and
• sealing the material for storage and/or transport within the second chamber.