Shipping container for system supporting live cells

Abstract

A shipping container for the support and shipment of a system for supporting at least one live cell includes a container and a lid configured to be removably coupled together to form a container cavity therebetween. A lower stabilization support and an upper guard are provided for supporting the system. The lower stabilization support is sized to be received within the container, and includes an upwardly opening recess configured to receive and support at least a portion of the system. The upper guard includes a lower surface that is sized to be at least partially received within an upwardly directed system cavity of the system. In this way, the lower stabilization support and upper guard are configured to securely support the system within the container cavity between the container and the lid.

Description

DESCRIPTIONSHIPPING CONTAINER FOR SYSTEM SUPPORTING LIVE CELLSSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0001] This invention was made with Government support by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This patent disclosure relates generally to shipping containers, and, more particularly to a containers for shipping live cells and cell cultures.BACKGROUND

[0003] Snapwell and Transwell are systems utilized for the support of cell lines and cell cultures. Snapwells generally include a polycarbonate membrane supported by a detachable ring, cells being supported on the membrane. Transwells similarly include a membrane with a support structure.

[0004] Transportation of such arrangements may be challenging, however. The growing use of the Snapwell and Transwell cell culturing systems for various tissue transplantation applications requires a reliable way to transport tissues without damaging them. Some tissues can be frozen for the ease of transportation, some not. Those that cannot be frozen and grown on Snapwells do not have any available, secure shipment options.SUMMARY

[0005] The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a shipping container for receiving a system for supporting at least one live cell. The shipping container includes a container and a lid. The container and the lid are configured to be removably coupled together to form a container cavity therebetween. The shipping container further includes a lower stabilization support and an upper guard. The lower stabilization support is sized to be received within the container, and includesan upwardly opening recess configured to receive and support at least a portion of the system. The upper guard includes a lower surface that is sized to be at least partially received within an upwardly directed system cavity of the system. In this way, the lower stabilization support and upper guard are configured to securely support the system within the container cavity between the container and the lid.

[0006] The disclosure describes, in another aspect, a method of shipping a system for supporting at least one tissue. The method includes positioning a lower stabilization support within a container, positioning a system supporting at least one live cell within an upwardly opening recess of the lower stabilization support, positioning a well of an upper guard within an upwardly directed system cavity of the system, and disposing a lid on the container and removably coupling the lid to the container.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING! S)

[0007] Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a shipping container for live cells according to this disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shipping container of FIG. 1 housing an exemplary system for the support of cell lines and cell cultures in the form of a Snapwell system.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded, side elevational view of the shipping container and Snapwell system of FIG. 2.

[0010] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the lid of the shipping container of FIGS. 1-3.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the upper guard of the shipping container of FIGS. 2-3

[0012] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the Snapwell system supported in the shipping container of FIGS. 2-3.

[0013] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the lower stabilization support of the shipping container of FIGS. 1-3.

[0014] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the bottom container of the shipping container of FIGS. 1-3.

[0015] FIG. 9 is an isometric, exploded view of the shipping container and Snapwell system of FIGS. 2-3.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the upper guard of FIGS. 2-3 and 5.

[0017] FIG. 11 is an exploded, side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a shipping container and an exemplary system for the support of cell lines and cell cultures in the form of a Transwell system.

[0018] FIG. 12 is an isometric, exploded view of the shipping container and the Transwell system of FIG. 11.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] This disclosure relates to shipping containers for supporting and shipping supporting systems for live cell lines and cell cultures. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “at least one live cell” will be utilized to refer to one or more of live cell lines, cell cultures and tissues.

[0020] Known systems 100, 130 for the support of cell lines and cell cultures include, for example, Snapwell systems 100 and Transwell systems 130. These systems 100, 130 typically include membrane or other support surface supported by a surrounding polymeric housing that provides access to the cells supported on membrane. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “system for supporting at least one live cell” will refer to systems such as, but not limited to, the Snapwell and Transwell systems, which are designed to support cell lines, cell cultures, and tissues.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 9 there is illustrated an exemplary Snapwell system 100 for supporting at least one live cell. The Snapwell system 100 includes a membrane 102 (see FIG. 2) that is supported by a surrounding polymeric housing 104. The polymeric housing 104 may be of an alternative structure, in the illustrated embodiment, the polymeric housing 104 includes a lower circular channel 106 from which a flange 108 extends outwardly. A generally conical structure 110 extends upward from the lower circular channel 106 to an arcuate flange 112. The generally conical structure 110 includes a circular base 114 and is further formed in part by three arms 116, 118, 120 that extend to the arcuate flange 112. Openings 122, 124, here, generally trapezoidally shaped openings 122, 124, are formed between the base 114, pairs of the arms 116 / 118, 118 / 120 and the arcuate flange 112. The generally conical structure 110 is openbetween a third pair of the arms 116 / 120 and the base 114, that is, the generally arcuate flange 112 does not extend between the third pair of arms 116 / 120, providing a third opening 126. In this way, the system 100 includes an upwardly directed system cavity 128.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 there is illustrated an exemplary Transwell system 130 for supporting at least one live cell. The Transwell system 130 similarly includes a membrane 132 that is supported by a surrounding polymeric housing 134. The polymeric housing 134 may be of an alternative structure, in the illustrated embodiment, the polymeric housing 134 includes a lower circular channel 136 from which a generally conical structure 140 extends upward to an arcuate flange 142. The generally conical structure 140 is formed in part by three arms 146, 148, 150 that extend to the arcuate flange 142. Openings 152, 154, here, generally trapezoidally shaped openings 152, 154, are formed between the base 144, pairs of the arms 146 / 148, 148 / 150 and the arcuate flange 142. The generally conical structure 140 is open between a third pair of the arms 146 / 150 and the base 144, that is, the generally arcuate flange 142 does not extend between the third pair of arms 146 / 150. As with the system 100, the system 130 includes an upwardly -directed system cavity 158. One or more live cells may be supported on the membrane 132 in the upwardly-directed system cavity 158.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 9, there is illustrated an exemplary shipping container 160 for receiving a system for supporting at least one live cell in accordance with teachings of this disclosure. Referring further to FIGS. 4 and 8, the shipping container 160 includes a container 162 and a lid 164. The container 162 and lid 164 are configured to be removably coupled together to form an internal container cavity 166. While the container 162 and lid 164 may be coupled together by any appropriate arrangement, the illustrated container 162 and lid 164 include complementary threads 168, 170, respectively. One example of an appropriate container 162 and lid 164 is a Simport sample container, for example, a 120 ml container, while the use of other such container and sizes are envisioned.

[0024] Further in accordance with this disclosure, order to support and stabilize the system 100, 130 for supporting at least one live cell, a lower stabilization support 180 and an upper guard 200 are provided (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10). Together, the lower stabilization support 180 and upper guard 200 support and substantially maintain the system 100, 130 within the internal container cavity 166.

[0025] Turning first to the lower stabilization support 180, the lower stabilization support 180 is sized to be received within the container 162 and includes an upwardly-opening recess 182 configured to receive and support at least a portion of the system 100, 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower stabilization support 180 is an inverted annular cup-shaped structure having a continuous annular ramped sidewall 184 and a generally horizontal portion 186. The upwardly-opening recess 182 is generally cup-shaped in what would be the bottom 186 of the cup-shaped structure. In this way, the generally cup-shaped upwardly-opening recess 182 is configured to receive and support at least a portion of the system 100, 130. It will be appreciated, however, that the lower stabilization support 180 may have an alternative structure. While the inverted annular cup-shaped structure of the lower stabilization support 180 includes a continuous annular ramped sidewall 184, the supporting structure may be discontinuous, having a web shaped structure, for example, or the supporting structure may be other than annular. By way of further example, one or more openings may be provided through the lower stabilization support. In the illustrated embodiment, an opening 188 is provided substantially adjacent an upper surface of the lower stabilization support 180, for example, through the generally horizontal portion 186 or bottom. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the opening 188 may provide a fluid connection between the upwardly-opening recess 182 and the portion of the lower stabilization support 180 bounded by the annular ramped sidewall 184.

[0026] The lower stabilization support 180 includes at least one surface that supports the system 100, 130 which is at least partially received within the upwardly opening recess 182. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one surface is an outwardly extending annular flange 192 formed within the upwardly-opening recess 182. It will be appreciated that an alternative or additional surface of the lower stabilization support 180 may provide the surface that supports the system 100, 130. By way of example only, the generally horizontal portion 186 may support the system 100, 130.

[0027] In order to maintain the system 100 in position on the lower stabilization support 180, the upper guard 200 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 9, and 10) is provided and configured to be at least partially received within the upwardly-directed system cavity 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper guard 200 is an annular, generally conical structure including an annular upper flange 202 and presenting a lower end 204 with a rounded lower surface 206. Therounded lower surface 206 is sized to be received at least partially within the upwardly directed system cavity 128 of the system 100. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the lower end 204 of the upper guard 200 is received in the generally conical structure 110 of the system 100. In this way, the rounded lower surface 206 is spaced from the membrane 102 on which live cells may be supported.

[0028] Opposite the lower end 204 is an upper spacing structure 210 extending to the annular upper flange 202. In order to maintain further the position of the upper guard 200 relative to the system 100, the upper spacing structure 210 is provided with at least one protrusion. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper spacing structure 210 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 212, 214, 216. The plurality of protrusions 212, 214, 216 are configured to be received within the openings 122, 124, 126 between the arms 116, 118, 120. It will be appreciated that the protrusions 212, 214, 216 may be sized and configured to be seated on a surface of the system 100. For example, the protrusions 212, 214, 216 may be sized and configured to be seated on an upper surface of the circular base 114. Further, in order to allow for the flow of media that may be contained within the shipping container 160, one or more of the protrusions 212, 214, 216 may include one or more openings 218, 220 therethrough. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the openings 218, 220 may provide a fluid connection between an interior of the upper guard 200 and the internal container cavity 166.

[0029] In this way, the upper guard 200 and the lower stabilization support 180 are sized and configured to hold the system 100 in position within the internal container cavity 166 between container 162 and the lid 164. That is, the lower stabilization support 180 and upper guard 200 are configured to securely support the system 100 within the container cavity 166 between the container 162 and the lid 164. It will be appreciated that at least one surface of the system 100 engages at least one surface of the lower stabilization support 180, and at least one surface of the system 100 engages at least one surface of the upper guard 200 to stabilize the supported system 100.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, flange 108 of the system 100 seats on the outwardly extending annular flange 192 formed within the upwardly-opening recess 182 of the lower stabilization support 180. Similarly, surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 212, 214, 216 of the upper guard 200 seat on peripheral surfaces of the openings 122, 124, 126 between the arms 116,118, 120. Further, in at least one embodiment, a peripheral surface of the lower end 204 of the upper guard 200 may be seated on an interior surface of the circular base 114 of the system 100, the rounded lower surface 206 of the upper guard 200 extending into the lower circular channel 106 of the system 100. It will be appreciated that additional or alternative surfaces of the system 100, the upper guard 200, and the lower stabilization support 180 may be adjacently disposed and engaging.

[0031] Further, an inner surface of the lid 164 may confront at least one surface of the upper guard 200 when a system 100 is disposed within the supported shipping container 100 and the lid 164 is securely positioned on the container 162. In this way, the lower stabilization support 180, upper guard 200 and the supported system 100 are securely supported within the internal container cavity 166.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, an underside of the lid confronts an upper surface of the upper guard 200, here, an upper surface of the annular upper flange 202 of the upper guard 200, while the lower end of the annular ramped sidewall 184 of the lower stabilization support 180 seats on an inner lower surface of the container 162. It will be appreciated, however, that engagement may be provided between additional or alternative surfaces.

[0033] In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, the shipping container 160 may be provided with one or more media when supporting at least one live cell for transport, for example, on the membrane 102. In at least one embodiment, the upwardly-directed system cavity 128 may contain apical bath. That is, apical bath may be contained within the upwardly- directed system cavity 128 within a space 222 formed between the membrane 102 and the upper guard 200. In the illustrated embodiment, apical bath may be contained within the space 222 formed between the upper surface of the membrane 102 and the rounded lower surface 206 of the upper guard 200. In this way, the apical bath may be in contact with one or more live cells supported on the membrane 102.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, a space 224 within the upwardly-opening recess 182 of the lower stabilization support 180 may contain a basal bath. That is basal bath may be contained within the space 224 formed between the upwardly-opening recess 182 and the membrane 102 and lower surfaces of the polymeric housing 104 of the system for the support of cell lines and cell cultures 100.

[0035] Further, in at last one embodiment, a basal media pool may be contained within the space 226 formed within the inverted annular cup-shaped structure bounded by the annular ramped sidewall 184 of the lower stabilization support 180 and the container 162. In at least one embodiment, the basal bath of space 224 and the basal media pool of space 226 are fluidly coupled, as when an opening 188 is provided along the upwardly-opening recess 182 of the lower stabilization support 180.

[0036] In at least one embodiment, apical media may be provided within the container 160 in a space 230 formed within upper guard 200 and an interior surface of the lid 164. Apical media may likewise be provided in a space 232 formed between an interior surface of the container 162, and the exterior or outwardly facing surfaces of the upper guard 200, the polymeric housing 104 of the system for supporting at least one live cell 100, and the lower stabilization support 180. It will be appreciated that a fluid connection may be provided between space 230 and space 232 by the one or more openings 218, 220 in the upper guard 200.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of an exemplary shipping container 260 for receiving a system for supporting at least one live cell 130. The shipping container 260 includes a container 262 and a lid 264, which are as described above with regard to container 162 and lid 164. A lower stabilization support 380 and an upper guard 400 are provided, which together, support and substantially maintain the system 130 within the internal container cavity 266.

[0038] The lower stabilization support 380 may be as described with regard to the first embodiment. In referring to the structures of the lower stabilization support 380 of FIGS. 11 and 12, the same reference numbers will be utilized, but as a 300-series, as opposed to a 100-series.

[0039] In order to maintain the system 130 in position on the lower stabilization support 380, an upper guard 400 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 9, and 10) is provided and configured to be at least partially received within the upwardly-directed system cavity 158 of the system for supporting at least one live cell 130. As with the upper guard 200, the upper guard 400 includes an annular upper flange 402 and an annular, generally conical structure presenting a lower end 404 with a rounded lower surface 406. The rounded lower surface 406 is sized to be received at least partially within the upwardly directed system cavity 158 of the system 130. In contrast to the upper guard 200, however, the upper guard 400 includes a deeper generally conical structure inorder to provide engagement between a lower end 404 of the upper guard 400 in the generally conical structure 140 of the system 130. As with the first embodiment, the rounded lower surface 406 is spaced from the membrane 132 on which live cells may be supported.

[0040] An upper spacing structure 410 extends from the lower end 404 to the annular flange 402. In order to maintain further the position of the upper guard 400 relative to the system 130, the upper spacing structure 410 preferably is provided with at least one protrusion. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper spacing structure 410 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 412, 414, 416. The plurality of protrusions 412, 414, 416 are configured to be received within the openings 152, 154, 156 between the arms 146, 148, 150. It will be appreciated that the protrusions 412, 414, 416 may be sized and configured to be seated on a surface of the system 130. For example, the protrusions 412, 414, 416 may be sized and configured to be seated on an upper surface of the circular base 144. Further, in order to allow for the flow of media that may be contained within the shipping container 260, one or more of the protrusions 412, 414, 416 may include one or more openings 418, 420 therethrough. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the openings 418, 420 may provide a fluid connection between an interior of the upper guard 400 and the internal container cavity 266.

[0041] In this way, the upper guard 400 and the lower stabilization support 380 are sized and configured to hold the system 130 in position within the internal container cavity 266 between container 262 and the lid 264. That is, the lower stabilization support 380 and upper guard 400 are configured to securely support the system 130 within the container cavity 266 between the container 262 and the lid 264.

[0042] As with the first embodiment, at least one surface of the system 130 engages at least one surface of the lower stabilization support 380, and at least one surface of the system 130 engages at least one surface of the upper guard 400 to stabilize the supported system 130.

[0043] In this illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the lower cylindrical channel 136 of the system 130 seats on at least a portion of the interior of the upwardly-opening recess 382 of the lower stabilization support 380. Similarly, surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 412, 414, 416 of the upper guard 400 seat on peripheral surfaces of the openings 152, 154, 156 between the arms 146, 148, 150. In at least one embodiment, a peripheral surface of the lower end 404 of the upper guard 400 may be seated on an interior surface of the circular base 136 of the system 130,the rounded lower surface 406 of the upper guard 400 extending into the lower circular channel 136 of the system 130. It will be appreciated that additional or alternative surfaces of the system 130, the upper guard 400, and the lower stabilization support 380 may be adjacently disposed and engaging.

[0044] Further, as with the earlier embodiment, an inner surface of the lid 264 may confront at least one surface of the upper guard 400 when a system 130 is disposed within the supported shipping container 130 and the lid 264 is securely positioned on the container 262. In this way, the lower stabilization support 380, upper guard 400 and the supported system 130 are securely supported within the internal container cavity 266.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, an underside of the lid 264 confronts an upper surface of the upper guard 400, here, an upper surface of the annular upper flange 402 of the upper guard 400, while the lower end of the annular ramped sidewall of the lower stabilization support 380 seats on an inner lower surface of the container 262. It will be appreciated, however, that engagement may be provided between additional or alternative surfaces.

[0046] As with the first embodiment, the shipping container 260 may be provided with one or more media when supporting at least one live cell for transport, for example, on the membrane 132. That is, apical bath may be contained within the upwardly-directed system cavity 158 between the membrane 132 and the upper guard 400, and / or apical bath may be contained between the upper surface of the membrane 132 and the rounded lower surface 406 of the upper guard 400. In this way, the apical bath may be in contact with one or more live cells supported on the membrane 132.

[0047] Similarly, a basal bath may be contained between the upwardly-opening recess 382 of the lower stabilization support 380 may contain a basal bath. That is basal bath may be contained within the space 424 formed between an upwardly-opening recess 382 and the membrane 132 and lower surfaces of the polymeric housing 134 of the system for the support of cell lines and cell cultures 130. Likewise, in at last one embodiment, a basal media pool may be contained between an annular ramped sidewall 384 of the lower stabilization support 380 and the container 262.

[0048] In at least one embodiment, apical media may be provided within the container 260 between the upper guard 400 and an interior surface of the lid 264. Apical media may likewisebe provided between an interior surface of the container 262, and the exterior or outwardly facing surfaces of the upper guard 400, the polymeric housing 134 of the system for supporting at least one live cell 130, and the lower stabilization support 380, the one or more openings 418, 420 in the upper guard 400 providing a fluid connection between the two spaces.

[0049] The lower stabilization support 180, 380 and upper guard 200, 400 may be formed by any appropriate method. For example, the lower stabilization support 180, 380 and upper guard 200, 400 may be formed by injection molding or Thermo molding.

[0050] It will be appreciated that the disclosed shipping containers 160, 360 may provide an elegant and relatively inexpensive arrangement to protect these tissues during the shipment without the need for freezing. The disclosed arrangements may allow the shipment of fragile cell cultures grown on systems 100, 130 such as the Snapwell and Transwell insert systems to prevent media splashing damaging effects on cell culture.

[0051] The disclosed arrangements may inhibit or prevent the surrounding media body from splashing around, which may create liquid currents and bubbles that could damage cell culture grown on systems 100, 130. It will be appreciated that the configuration and geometry of both the lower stabilization support 180, 380 and the upper guard 200, 400 may be modified to the different containers 162, 262 and lids 164, 264 if desired. The disclosed shipping containers 160, 260 provide smaller protective compartments around living cells that prevent all surrounding media movement to affect the cell layer.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

[0053] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0054] Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

CLAIM(S):We claim:

1. A shipping container for receiving a system for supporting at least one live cell, the system including an upwardly directed system cavity, the shipping container comprising: a container, a lid, the container and the lid being configured to be removably coupled together to form a container cavity therebetween, a lower stabilization support, the lower stabilization support being sized to be received within the container, the lower stabilization support including an upwardly opening recess configured to receive and support at least a portion of the system, and an upper guard, the upper guard including a lower surface, the lower surface being sized to be at least partially received within the upwardly directed system cavity of the system, wherein the lower stabilization support and upper guard are configured to securely support the system within the container cavity between the container and the lid.

2. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein the lower stabilization support and the upper guard are configured such that at least one surface of the supported system engages at least one surface of the upper guard, and at least one surface of the supported system engages at least one surface of the lower stabilization support.

3. The shipping container of any of claims 1 and 2 wherein the upwardly opening recess includes an annular flange.

4. The shipping container of any of claims 1-3 wherein the lower stabilization support includes an annular sidewall with a generally horizontal portion, the generally horizontal portion including the upwardly opening recess.

5. The shipping container of claim 4 wherein the lower stabilization support has an inverted cup shape.

6. The shipping container of claim 5 wherein the upwardly opening recess is configured with an annular flange spaced from the generally horizontal portion.

7. The shipping container of any of claims 1-6 wherein the lower stabilization support includes at least one opening extending through the lower stabilization support.

8. The shipping container of claim 7 wherein the opening is disposed through an upper end of the lower stabilization support.

9. The shipping container of any of claims 1-8 wherein the upper guard has a generally conical structure.

10. The shipping container of any of claims 1-9 wherein the lower surface of the upper guard includes a generally rounded lower surface.

11. The shipping container of any of claims 1-10 wherein the upper guard includes an upper flange from which a spacing structure extends to the lower surface, the spacing structure having generally conical structure.

12. The shipping container of claim 11 wherein the spacing structure includes at least one protrusion configured to be received within the system.

13. The shipping container of claim 12 wherein the spacing structure includes at least one opening through the at least one protrusion.

14. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein the upper guard includes at least one opening therethrough.

15. A method of shipping a system for supporting at least one living cell, the system including an upwardly directed system cavity, the method comprising: positioning a lower stabilization support within a container, positioning the system supporting the at least one live cell within an upwardly opening recess of the lower stabilization support,positioning a well of an upper guard within the upwardly directed system cavity of the system, and disposing a lid on the container and removably coupling the lid to the container to support the system within the container cavity between the container and the lid.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein positioning the lower stabilization support includes positioning an inverted generally cup-shaped lower stabilization support within the container.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein positioning the system includes engaging at least one surface of the system with at least one surface of the lower stabilization support.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein positioning the well includes engaging at least one surface of the upper guard with at least one surface of the system.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein positioning the well includes positioning the upper guard with the well spaced from a membrane of the system.

20. The method of claim 15 further including providing at least one media within the container prior to disposing the lid on the container.

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