System and method for attaching a removable accessory or wireless tracking device to a plasma storage container

Abstract

A blood product container with removable accessory includes a container body defining the structure of the blood product container and defining an interior. The container body includes a main body portion, a top portion, a neck portion extending from the main body portion to the top portion, and a bottom portion. The container also has a container top configured to seal an opening of the blood product container. An attachment location is located on the container body and receives a removable accessory. The removable accessory is secured to the blood product container when received by the attachment location. The removable accessory may be a tracking device with a switch that activates the tracking device when closed and deactivates the tracking device when open. The switch is normally open when the tracking device is not secured to the container and closed when the tracking device is secured to the container.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A REMOVABLE ACCESSORY OR WIRELESS TRACKING DEVICE TO A PLASMA STORAGE CONTAINERRelated United States Patent Applications

[0001] This PCT patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 631,203, filed April 8, 2024, entitled “System and Method for Attaching a Removable Accessory to a Plasma Storage Container,” assigned attorney docket number 130670-11001, and naming Melvin Tan as inventor, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.

[0002] This PCT patent application also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63,631,216, filed April 8, 2024, entitled “System and Method for Tracking Blood and Plasma Using a Wireless Tracking Device,” assigned attorney docket number 130670-11101, and naming Melvin Tan as inventor, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of blood and blood product collection and blood component storage containers, and more particularly to accessories that may be attached to the containers and / or a tracking device for tracking blood and blood products through the supply chain.Background Art

[0001] Blood plasma is a straw-colored liquid component of whole blood, in which blood cells, such as red blood cells and white blood cells, and other components of the whole blood are normally suspended. Whole blood is made up of about 55%, by volume, plasma. Plasma plays important roles in a body’ s circulatory system, including transporting blood cells, conducting heat and carrying waste products. Pure plasma contains clotting factors, which increase the rate at which blood clots, making it useful in surgery and in the treatment of hemophilia. Banked whole blood is sometimes used to replace blood lost by patients during surgery or as a result of traumatic injuries. However, if banked whole blood that is compatible with the patient’s blood type is not available, plasma may sometimes be used to replace some of the lost blood. Plasma additionally contains proteins that may be used to produce pharmaceuticals for immunodeficiency and other protein disorders. Furthermore, plasma may be frozen and stored for relatively long periods of time until it is needed.

[0002] To collect plasma, whole blood may be collected from a donor, and the plasma may be separated from the other components of the donated whole blood later, such as in a laboratory. However, in other cases, the plasma is separated from the other components of the whole blood at the donation site, and the other components are returned to the circulation system of the donor. For example, apheresis is a medical technology in which the blood of a donor or patient is passed through an apparatus, such as a centrifuge, that separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainder to the donor or patient. Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that involves separating blood plasma from whole blood.

[0003] Collected plasma for pharmaceutical manufacturing is typically stored in plastic bottles. A typical plasma bottle includes at least two ports, one for introducing plasma into the bottle, and the other for venting air out of the bottle. Each of the ports typically extends from a surface of the plasma bottle (e.g., the top of the plasma bottle) and may have tubing connected to it. After plasma has been collected in the bottle, the tubing is cut off using radiofrequency sealing tongs, leaving short (typically about 1-1 / 2 inch long) sealed tubing stubs attached to the ports extending from the plasma bottle. Additionally, plasma bottles have a predetermined shape and contour at different areas of the bottle, each design or contour performing a certain function or having a certain use. For example, the tubing may be located in the top for fluid interchange. The plasma bottle may also have a neck for anchoring the bottle to the apheresis device, a body or vessel to hold the collected plasma fluids, and a bottom to keep the contents in the bottle and to keep the bottle upright when not anchored to the apheresis device.

[0004] The blood products collected from donation facilities (e.g., plasma bottles) may be tracked using both human-readable and non-human-readable labels affixed to the blood products’ container. The affixed label(s) may contain identifying information about the blood product, including a unique identification mark that is used to specifically track a single instance of that blood product such that no two blood products shall ever by identified by the same identification mark. The unique identification mark is entered into a computer system by scanning a non-human- readable barcoded representation of the identification mark. Alternatively, a human-readable representation of the identification mark may be read by a human person and the information typed into a computer system using an input device such as a computer keyboard. In some instances, the donation center staff may apply additional labels to the blood products / bottle that include additional barcodes to encode additional identifiers and information related to the apheresis donation process.

[0005] When the unique identification mark of the blood product is entered into the computer system, the blood product can be tracked and traced throughout the collection, processing, shipping, and manufacturing or fractionation supply chain by repeating the scanning / input process of the identification mark at the prerequisite step in the supply chain. This can be accomplished either by another human person or through robotic automation.

[0006] Current blood product tracking solutions pose several disadvantages, including reliance on short proximity of the identifying mark to the computer system so that it can be scanned or entered into a computer system. Other tracking solutions rely on wireless methods for transferring the identifying mark information from the blood product to the computer system, but these methods use either near-field communications (NFC) methods (e.g., passive RFID) that requires both the blood product and computer system to be in close proximity to each other. This, in turn, limits their utility. Alternatively, some system use long-range communication technologies (e.g., active RFID, GPS), which are expensive, requires additional equipment, and are not suitable in environments where the blood product must be frequently tracked at multiple locations. This, in turn, increases the complexity and sophistication of the blood product tracking.Summary of the Embodiments

[0007] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a plasma storage container with removable accessory may have a container body that defines the structure of the plasma storage container and an interior. The container body may include a main body portion, a top portion, a neck portion extending from the main body portion to the top portion, and a bottom portion. A container top may seal an opening of the plasma storage container. The container may also have at least one attachment location located on the container body. The attachment location may receive at least one removable accessory. The removable accessory may be secured to the plasma storage container when received by the attachment location.

[0008] In some embodiments, the attachment location may be located on the main body portion, the neck portion, the bottom portion, or the top portion of the container body. For example, the removable accessory may be a cap configured to cover and protect the top portion. The attachment location(s) may include a connection point that interacts with an accessory connection point located on the removable accessory when it is received by theattachment location. The interaction between the connection point and the accessory connection point may energize and / or activate the removable accessory.

[0009] In further embodiments, the removable accessory may be a bottle cap, an LED light, a temperature sensor, a location sensor, a radio transponder, an audio transponder, a tracking device, and / or an RFID sensor. The removable accessory may be locked to the plasma storage container when secured at the attachment location such that a specific removal motion and / or an unlocking tool is required to remove the removable accessory.

[0010] In accordance with additional embodiments, a method for attaching a removable accessory to a plasma storage container includes providing a plasma storage container. The container may have a container body that defines the structure of the plasma storage container and an interior. The container body may include a main body portion, a top portion, a neck portion extending from the main body portion to the top portion, and a bottom portion. A container top may seal an opening of the plasma storage container. The container may also have at least one attachment location located on the container body. The method may include securing a removable accessory to the plasma storage container at the attachment location. The removable accessory may be secured to the plasma storage container when received by the attachment location.

[0011] In some embodiments, the attachment location may be located on the main body portion of the container body, the neck portion of the container body, the bottom portion of the container body, and / or the top portion of the container body. For example the removable accessory may be a cap configured to cover and protect the top portion. Additionally or alternatively, the removable accessory may be an FED light, a temperature sensor, a location sensor, a radio transponder, an audio transponder, a tracking device, and / or an RFID sensor.

[0012] The attachment location may include a connection point that interacts with an accessory connection point located on the removable accessory when secured at the attachment location. The interaction between the connection point and the accessory connection point may energize and / or activate the removable accessory. In some embodiments, securing the removable accessory may include locking the removable accessory to the plasma storage container such that a specific removal motion and / or an unlocking tool is required to remove the removable accessory.

[0013] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a tracking device for a blood product container may include a switch that activates the tracking device when closed and deactivates the tracking device when open. The switch may be normally open when the tracking device is not secured to the blood product container and closed when the tracking device is secured to the blood product container. The tracking device may also include a memory, a communications circuit, an antenna and a power supply. The memory may store location data for the blood product container. The communications circuit may communicate with at least one mobile device and the antenna may be in communication with the communications circuit and may broadcast location data to the mobile device(s). The power supply may supply power for the tracking device.

[0014] The tracking device may also include a light emitter, a speaker, and / or a vibration motor. The light emitter, speaker and / or the vibration motor may be remotely activated to locate the tracker. The power supply may be replaceable and / or rechargeable. For example, the tracking device may be connected to an external power supply. The switch may be closed when the tracking device is connected to the external power supply such that the external power supply charges the power supply when connected to the tracking device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the tracking device may be a system-on-chip device and / or the antenna may receive a signal from the mobile device(s). The tracker may periodically broadcast location data to the mobile device(s) and / or may broadcast location data using Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), or Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). Additionally or alternatively, the location data may include meta data such as GPS coordinates, velocity, acceleration, orientation, altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, lumens, and / or sound level.

[0016] In accordance with additional embodiments, a method for tracking a blood product container includes providing a tracking device that includes a switch configured to activate the tracking device when closed and deactivate the tracking device when open. The switch may be normally open when the tracking device is not secured to the blood product container and closed when the tracking device is secured to the blood product container. The tracking device may also include a memory to store location data for the blood product container, a communications circuit to communicate with at least one mobile device, and anantenna in communication with the communications circuit to broadcast location data to the device(s). A power supply may supply power for the tracking device.

[0017] The method may also include securing the tracking device to the blood product container, the switch transitioning from the open position to the closed position upon securing the tracking device to the blood product container. The method may then track location data of the blood product container, store the location data within the memory, and transmit, using the communication circuit and antenna, location data from the tracking device to a wireless device.

[0018] The tracking device may also include a light emitter, a speaker, and / or a vibration motor that may be remotely activated to locate the tracker. The wireless device may send a signal to the tracking device to locate the tracking device by activating the light emitter, speaker and / or vibration motor. The power supply may be replaceable and / or rechargeable.

[0019] In other embodiments, the tracking device may be a system-on-chip device and / or may periodically broadcast location data to the mobile device(s). The tracking device may broadcast the location data using Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), or Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). Additionally or alternatively, the location data may include meta data such as GPS coordinates, velocity, acceleration, orientation, altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, lumens, and / or sound level. The wireless device(s) may send the location data to a host system for storage in a central database.

[0020] In accordance with additional embodiments, a system for tracking a blood product container may include a tracking device that is secured to the blood product container and tracks the location of the blood product container. The tracking device may have a switch that activates the tracking device when closed and deactivates the tracking device when open. The switch may be normally open when the tracking device is not secured to the blood product container and closed when the tracking device is secured to the blood product container. A memory may store location data for the blood product container. A communications circuit and an antenna in communication with the communications circuit may broadcast the location data. A power supply may supply power for the tracking device.

[0021] The system may also include a wireless device and a host system. The wireless device may be in communication with the tracking device and may receive the location datafrom the tracking device. The host system may be in communication with the wireless device and may have a central database and a user interface. The host system may receive the location data from the wireless device and store the location data within the central database.

[0022] In some embodiments, the wireless device may send a signal to the tracking device to active a light emitter, a speaker and / or a vibration motor to locate the tracking device. The host system may instruct the wireless device to send the signal.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a plasma storage container, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the plasma storage container shown in Figure 1 with removable accessories, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the plasma storage container shown in Figure 1 with some removable accessories attached and a removal tool, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 4 schematically shows a tracker that may be used to track a blood plasma container, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. 5 schematically shows a system for tracking a blood product container using the tracker shown in Figure 4, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

[0029] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide accessories, including tracking devices, that may be removeably attached to blood component collection containers (e.g., plasma collection containers). The accessories may be attached to the container at various locations on the container and, in some instances, connection to the container may activate and / or energize the accessory. Details of illustrative embodiments are discussed below.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a blood plasma container 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The plasma container 100 may have a body portion 110 and a top 120 that closes an opening 130 (e.g., an open end in the body portion 110 at the proximal end 140 of the plasma container 100). Extending between the body portion 110 and the top 120, the plasma container 100 has a neck portion 115. At the distal end 160, the plasma container 100 may have a bottom 150. As discussed in greater detail below, plasma may be collected within the plasma container 100. To that end, the body portion 110 defines an interior volume (e.g., an interior) in which the collected plasma can be stored. To facilitate fluid transfer in an out of the interior volume, the plasma container 100 may have tubing connectors 170A / B, which may connect to tubes leading to and from the apheresis device.

[0031] During use and plasma collection, the user may secure the plasma container 100 to a blood processing device (e.g., a plasmapheresis device), for example, via the neck portion 115 or via placing the plasma container 100 into a cradle and may connect tubes to the connectors 170A / B (if the tubes are not yet connected) or connect the tubes to the plasmapheresis device (if the tubes are already connected to the plasma container 100). As the blood processing device separates the plasma from whole blood and sends the plasma to the storage container 100, the plasma may flow through the tubes and into the interior volume of the container 100 via the tubing connectors 170A / B. As the plasma flows into the container 100, air will exit the container 100, for example via one of the connectors 170A / B. This, in turn, will prevent pressure from building up within the container 100.

[0032] As discussed above, in many applications, there is a need or desire to removably attach / secure an accessory to the plasma container 100 before, during or after filling with plasma (e.g., before, during or after plasma collection). These removable accessories may be structural components that are used to protect a portion of the container 100, facilitate ergonomic handling of the container 100, facilitate manufacturing automation, provide additional storage space for the container 100, and / or strengthen one or more areas of the container 100. Additionally, these accessories may be electronic components that can be used to track the container 100, locate the container 100, trace the container 100, and / or identify the container 100.

[0033] For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the removable accessory may be a cap 200 that can be secured to the top of the plasma container 100 to cover and protect the tube connectors 170A / B from accidental breakage. Additionally, the cap 200 may be shaped / configured or include a handle 205 that facilitates ergonomic handling andtransportation of the plasma container 100. In such applications, the cap 200 may be easily attached to the container 200, but, in order to prevent accidental or unintentional removal, the cap 200 may be difficult to remove without using a specific motion or a tool. For example, the cap 200 may be removed by pressing down and turning (in a manner similar to a medicine bottle). Alternatively a removal tool 220 may be used to “unlock” the cap 200 prior to removal.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, the structural accessory may include a protective sleeve 210 that protects the main body 110 of the container 100 from accidental breakage during transport or storage and / or strengthens the container 100. To facilitate placement and securement on the plasma container 100, this sleeve 210 may be formed in two separate pieces that connect to one another to form a single sleeve or it may be formed in two pieces connected via a hinge member 212 that allows the two pieces of the sleeve member 210 open and close around the exterior of the container 100. When closed, the two portions of the sleeve 210 may snap together to facilitate securement to the container 100. Additionally, in some embodiments, the removal tool 220 may be required to remove the sleeve 210 from the container 100.

[0035] In other embodiments, the structural accessory may be an attachable base or anchor 230 that connects to the bottom 150 / distal end 160 of the plasma container 100. This attachable base 230 may be used to provide additional stability for the plasma container 100. Additionally or alternatively, this base 230 may be used to facilitate interaction with processing devices and improve manufacturing automation. Like the cap 200 discussed above, the base 230 may be easily attached to the container 200, but, in order to prevent accidental or unintentional removal, the base 230 may be difficult to remove without using a specific motion or a tool 220. For example, the base 230 may be removed by pressing towards the container 100 and turning (in a manner similar to a medicine bottle). Alternatively the removal tool 220 may be used to “unlock” the base 230 prior to removal.

[0036] As noted above, the accessories may also be (or include) electronic devices 310 that may be used to track, trace, identify or locate the plasma container 100. For example, the accessory may be a light emitting transponder, radio transponder, audio transponder, and / or other similar tracking technologies that allow someone to locate, track, identify or trace the plasma container 100. To facilitate connection and securement to the plasma container 100, the container 100 have attachment / securement locations 180, 182, and 184 at various locations on the container 100. For example, the attachment locations 180 / 182 / 184may be located towards the proximal end 140 of container 110 at the neck portion 115 (location 180), the main body 110 (location 182) or nearer the distal end 160 of the container 110 at the base / bottom 150 (location 184). The accessories 310 may be attached at one or more of these locations 180 / 182 / 184 to secure the accessory 310 to the container 100.

[0037] Like the structural accessories discussed above, the electronic accessories 310 may be easily attached to the attachment locations 180 / 182 / 184 by pushing the accessory 310 into place, snapping the accessory 310 into place, screwing the accessory into place, using a push and turn method to attach the accessory 310, etc. Additionally, to remove the accessory 310 from the attachment location 180 / 182 / 184 and the container, the user may use a specific motion (e.g., a push and turn motion) or may use the removal tool 220. By utilizing a specific removal motion and / or the removal tool 220, the accessory 310 will not be accidently or unintentionally removed from the container 100.

[0038] In some embodiments, the electronic-type accessories 310 may need to be activated and / or energized to supply power to the accessory 310 and / or to begin operating (e.g., light up, begin transmitting location data, provide identifying information about the container 100 and contents, etc.). To that end, the accessory 310 may have one or more connection points 312 that align / contact / interact with one more corresponding connection points 192A / B within the attachment locations when the accessory 310 is secured to the container. When the connection point(s) 312 on the accessory 310 align with / contact the connections point(s) 192A / B on the container 100 power may be provided to the accessory 310 and / or the accessory 310 may be activated. For example, the contact between the accessory connection point(s) 312 and the container connection point(s) 192A / B may complete a circuit within the accessory 310. Conversely, when the accessory 310 is removed from the container 100 and the contact between the accessory connection point(s) 312 and the container connection point(s) 192A / B is broken, the accessory 310 may lose power and / or deactivate (e.g., because the circuit within the accessory 310 is no longer complete).

[0039] It should be noted that although the accessories are discussed above as being more structural (e.g., like the cap 200 or sleeve 210) or electrical in nature (e.g., like the transponders, light emitting devices, etc.), various embodiments may combine these into a single accessory. For example any of the sensors, tracking devices, transmitters, transponders, lights, etc. may be incorporated into the cap 200, sleeve 210 and / or the base 230. In such embodiments, the cap 200, sleeve 210 and / or the base 230 containing the electronic components may be activated and / or deactivated in a manner similar to that discussed abovefor the separate electronic components. For example, the cap 200, sleeve 210 and / or the base 230 may have connection points 312 that connect the connection points 192 / A / B on the container 100 (e.g., at the attachment location 180 / 182 / 184) to energize and / or activate the electronic component within the cap 200, sleeve 210 and / or the base 230.

[0040] It should be noted that, in some instances, it may be desirable to have additional storage space on the plasma container 100 for paperwork, additional identifying information for the plasma container 100, the removal tool 220, or other material and tools needed for collecting and processing the plasma. To that end, any of the accessories discussed above may include a storage space to store this additional information and / or equipment. Alternatively, the additional storage space may be incorporated into a separate accessory that may be attached and removed from the plasma container 100 in a manner similar to that described above.

[0041] It is important to note that, although the plasma container 100 is shown with a single attachment location 180 on the neck 115, a single attachment location 182 on the body 100, and a single attachment location 184 near the bottom 150, other embodiments may have a different configuration for the attachment locations. For example, in some embodiments, the plasma container 100 may only have attachment locations 180 / 182 / 184 on one or two of the areas, but not all. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments may have multiple attachment locations in any given area on the container 100 (e.g., the body 110 may have more than one attachment location, the neck 115 may have more than one attachment location, and / or the bottom 150 may have more than one attachment location).

[0042] It should also be noted that, by allowing the accessories to be removable, some embodiments allow the accessory to be attached to the container 100 when needed and removed when not need. For example, if the accessory is needed for collections and / or storage, but not later processing, the accessory may be attached to the container 100 prior to collection or storage but removed prior to later processing to prevent interference with downstream processing. Alternatively, if the accessory is only required for downstream processing, it can be attached just before such processing such that it does not interfere with collection and / or storage. Additionally, because the accessory may be removed when not needed, the accessory may be recycled and / or reused once removed.

[0043] Figure 4 schematically shows a tracking device 400 that may be used to track the container 100 and that may be a removable accessory similar to those described above. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, the tracker 400 may be a wireless, self-powered tracking device used for locating the blood products (e.g., the container 100) by relying on highly prolific mobile devices in the environment where the blood product is present. The tracker 400 may be a system-on-chip (SoC) device and have an integrated power supply 410 that powers the various components of the tracker 400. To protect the tracker 400 and the internal components, the tracker may be sealed or otherwise protected against adverse environmental conditions including resistance to water, moisture, temperature, heat, sound, and orientation.

[0044] The power supply 410 may be a rechargeable battery that is recharged by energizing a normally open (NO) switch 420 from an external power supply. For example, the tracker 400 may be connected to the external power supply (not shown), which closes the switch 420. The power from the external power supply is then channeled through internal charging circuitry to recharge the integrated power supply 410. Alternatively, the integrated power supply 410 of the tracker may be a non-rechargeable battery. In such embodiments, integrated power supply 410 may be replaced as needed by opening the tracker 400 to reveal the battery 410 for replacement.

[0045] The normally open switch 420 may also be used to activate and deactivate the tracker 400. For example, the tracker 400 may be inactive (not communicating) when it is not affixed to a plasma bottle 100. When the tracker 400 is affixed to the plasma bottle 100 in a specific direction and orientation (e.g., such that one or more connection points 192A / B on the container 100 contact one or more connection points 422 / 424 on the tracker 400 in a manner similar to that described above) the NO switch 420 may close to allow the integrated power supply 410 to deliver power to the SoC and the various components of the tracker 400. Once the SoC and tracker components receive power, the tracker 400 can begin communicating wirelessly with mobile devices in its environment (discussed in greater detail below). Conversely, when the tracker 400 is detached from the plasma bottle 100, the NO switch 420 will open, thus, causing the integrated power supply 410 to stop delivering power to the SoC and the tracker components. When the SoC stops receiving power, the tracker 400 is deactivated and / or stops communicating.

[0046] To store location information and other data, the tracker 400 may have an onboard memory 430. Additionally, to facilitate communication with the wireless devices 500 (Fig. 5), the tracker 400 includes communication circuitry 440, and a transmitting / receiving antenna 450. As discussed in greater detail below, once activated, the tracker 400 communicates with wireless mobile devices 500 to broadcast its location data,which is then sent to a host system 600 for central storage in a database 620. In some embodiments, the location data broadcasted by the tracker 400 may include meta data such as GPS coordinates, velocity, acceleration, orientation, altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, lumens, and sound level. During broadcast / transmission of the location data, the tracker 400 may modify the signal strength based on the availability of nearby devices 500. For example, if the location signal for the tracker 400 is not received by any nearby mobile devices 500, the tracker 400 may incrementally increase the broadcast signal strength to improve the chances of the signal being received by nearby mobile devices 500.

[0047] At various times, it may be necessary to visibly or audibly locate the tracker 400, for example, in a storage facility or processing facility. To that end, the tracker 400 may include a light emitter 460, a speaker 470, and / or a vibration motor 480 that can be remotely activated (e.g. from the wireless / mobile device 500 or the host system 600). The user trying to locate the tracker 400 may activate one or more of the above locating components so that it is easier for a user to physically find the tracker 400.

[0048] As noted above and as shown in Figure 5, the tracker 400 may communicate with various mobile devices 500 that are in proximity to the tracker 400 and the mobile devices 400 may, in turn, communicate with a host system 600. For example, the tracker 400 may periodically broadcast its location data so that if it (and the container 100 it is secured to) moves to a new location, the new location data is received by the nearby mobile device 500. The mobile device 500 then, in turn, may transmit the location data to the host system 600, where it is updated in the host system 600 (e.g., it may be stored / updated in a database 620 within the host system 600).

[0049] A user may interact with the host system 600 via a user interface (UI) 610 that is either part of or connected to the host system 600. The user interface 610 allows additional users to display the location of the tracker 400 and the container 100 that it is attached to. As noted above, in some embodiments, the tracker 400 wirelessly broadcasts its location such that a plurality of mobile devices 500 within range of the broadcast signal receive the communication and then send the tracker location data to the host system 600 for storage in the database 620. It should be noted that, in some applications / embodiments, only those mobile devices 500 which have been registered with the system (e.g., the host system 600) or installed with a mobile application compatible with the tracker communication signal are capable of receiving location broadcasts from the tracker 400 and / or sending the location data to the host system 600.

[0050] It should also be noted that the tracker 400 and the mobile devices 500 may use any number communication methodologies to send the location data (or other signals). For example, the tracker’s broadcast communication signal (or the mobile device’s communication signal) may be Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), and / or or Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). The mobile device 500 is able to receive location broadcasts from the tracker 400 and is capable of receiving the broadcast signal in at least one of the aforementioned communication methods.

[0051] In addition to receiving and storing the location data for the tracker 400 and the container 100, the host system 600 may also help locate a tracker 400 and / or container 100 that has been lost and / or misplaced. For example, using the user interface 610, the user may instruct the host system 600 to locate the misplaced tracker 400. Upon receipt of the instructions, the host system 600 may notify all mobile devices 500 or applications / software installed on mobile devices 500 to broadcast a signal intended for the specific tracker 400 to be located. If the tracker 400 is within range of the mobile device 500, the signal from the mobile device 500 will be received by the tracker 500 (e.g., by the antenna 450 and communication circuit 440). In response to this signal, the tracker 400 may send the mobile device 500 the location of the tracker 400. Additionally or alternatively, in response to the signal, the tracker 400 may turn on the light emitter 460, speaker 470 and / or vibration motor 480 to generate a light, sound or motion that may alert a user of the tracker’s location.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, in response to the instructions from the host system 600, one or more of the mobile devices 400 may locate the tracker 400 by using the strength of the broadcast signal from the tracker 400 to triangulate the location of the tracker 400. In particular, by measuring the signal strength of the tracker 400, as the mobile device 500 is moved closer or further away from the tracker 400, the mobile device 500 can provide feedback to the mobile device user so that they can reposition themselves until the tracker 400 is located. During triangulation, the display 510 on the mobile devices 500 may include helpful information for the user such as the signal strength or a correlation of the speaker loudness, light brightness, and / or vibration intensity to help locate the tracker 400 (and container 100).

[0053] In addition to storing the location data for the tracker 400 and locating missing trackers 400, the host system 600 may also be used to set various parameters for the tracker 400. For example, the host system 600 may define the range in which a tracker 400 is allowed to move within the supply chain. If the tracker 400 deviates from this range, then thehost system 600 may be notified that a tracker 400 is undergoing a positional excursion. The host system 600 may also be used to define the frequency that the tracker 400 broadcasts its location to modulate the power consumption of the tracker 400. In such embodiments, if the power supply strength is low, the tracker 400 may reduce the broadcast frequency conserve power capacity.

[0054] It is important to note that, although the various embodiments discussed above are in relation to a blood processing system that collects plasma and plasma containers, the features discussed herein may be applied to any type of blood processing system and / or blood product container. For example, the features described herein may be implemented on containers that collect and store red blood cells, platelets and / or white blood cells. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention can be applied to containers other than blood product containers and can be applied to any item that needs to be tracked and / or could benefit from removable accessories.

[0055] The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in any appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A plasma storage container with a removable accessory comprising: a container body defining the structure of the plasma storage container and defining an interior, the container body including a main body portion, a top portion, a neck portion extending from the main body portion to the top portion, and a bottom portion; a container top configured to seal an opening of the plasma storage container; and at least one attachment location located on the container body and configured to receive at least one removable accessory, the at least one removable accessory secured to the plasma storage container when received by the attachment location.

2. The plasma storage container according to claim 1, wherein the attachment location is located on the main body portion of the container body.

3. The plasma storage container according to claim 1, wherein the attachment location is located on the neck portion of the container body.

4. The plasma storage container according to claim 1, wherein the attachment location is located on the bottom portion of the container body.

5. The plasma storage container according to claim 1, wherein the attachment location is located on the top portion of the container body.

6. The plasma storage container according to claim 5, wherein the removable accessory is a cap configured to cover and protect the top portion.

7. The plasma storage container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment location includes a connection point, the connection point configured to interact with an accessory connection point located on the at least one removable accessory when received by the attachment location.

8. The plasma storage container according to claim 7, wherein interaction between the connection point and the accessory connection point energizes the removable accessory.

9. The plasma storage container according to claim 7, wherein interaction between the connection point and the accessory connection point activates the removable accessory.

10. The plasma storage container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one removable accessory is selected from the group consisting of a bottle cap, a storage vessel, an LED light, a temperature sensor, a location sensor, a radio transponder, an audio transponder, a tracking device, and an RFID sensor.

11. The plasma storage container according to claim 1, wherein the removable accessory is locked to the plasma storage container when secured at the attachment location such that a specific motion or an unlocking tool is required to remove the removable accessory.

12. A method for attaching a removable accessory to a plasma storage container comprising: providing a plasma storage container, the plasma storage container including: a container body defining the structure of the plasma storage container and defining an interior, the container body including a main body portion, a top portion, a neck portion extending from the main body portion to the top portion, and a bottom portion, a container top configured to seal an opening of the plasma storage container, and at least one attachment location located on the container body; and securing at least one removable accessory to the plasma storage container at the attachment location.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the attachment location is located on the main body portion of the container body.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the attachment location is located on the neck portion of the container body.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the attachment location is located on the bottom portion of the container body.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the attachment location is located on the top portion of the container body.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the removable accessory is a cap configured to cover and protect the top portion.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one attachment location includes a connection point, the connection point configured to interact with an accessory connection point located on the at least one removable accessory when secured at the attachment location.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein interaction between the connection point and the accessory connection point energizes the removable accessory.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein interaction between the connection point and the accessory connection point activates the removable accessory.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one removable accessory is selected from the group consisting of a bottle cap, a storage vessel, an LED light, a temperature sensor, a location sensor, a radio transponder, an audio transponder, a tracking device, and an RFID sensor.

22. The method to claim 12, wherein securing the at least one removable accessory includes locking the removable accessory to the plasma storage container such that a specific motion or an unlocking tool is required to remove the removable accessory.

23. A tracking device for a blood product container comprising: a switch configured to activate the tracking device when closed and deactivate the tracking device when open, the switch normally open when the tracking device is not secured to the blood product container and closed when the tracking device is secured to the blood product container; a memory configured to store location data for the blood product container; a communications circuit configured to communicate with at least one mobile device; an antenna in communication with the communications circuit and configured tobroadcast location data to the at least one mobile device; and a power supply configured to supply power for the tracking device.

24. The tracking device according to claim 23, further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a light emitter, a speaker, and an vibration motor.

25. The tracking device according to claim 24, wherein the light emitter, speaker and / or the vibration motor is configured to be remotely activated to locate the tracker.

26. The tracking device according to claim 23, wherein the power supply is replaceable.

27. The tracking device according to claim 23, wherein the power supply is rechargeable.

28. The tracking device according to claim 27, wherein the tracking device is configured to be connected to an external power supply, the switch being closed when the tracking device is connected to the external power supply, the external power supply charging the power supply when connected to the tracking device.

29. The tracking device according to claim 23, wherein the tracking device is a system- on-chip device.

30. The tracking device according to claim 23, wherein the antenna is configured to receive a signal from the at least one mobile device.

31. The tracking device according to claim 23, wherein the tracker is configured to periodically broadcast location data to the at least one mobile device.

32. The tracking device according to claim 23, wherein the tracking device is configured to broadcast location data using Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), or Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).

33. The tracking device according to claim 23, wherein the location data includes meta data.

34. The tracking device according to claim 33, wherein the meta data includes data selected from the group consisting of GPS coordinates, velocity, acceleration, orientation, altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, lumens, and sound level.

35. A method for tracking a blood product container comprising: providing a tracking device, the tracking device including: a switch configured to activate the tracking device when closed and deactivate the tracking device when open, the switch normally open when the tracking device is notsecured to the blood product container and closed when the tracking device is secured to the blood product container, a memory configured to store location data for the blood product container, a communications circuit configured to communicate with at least one mobile device, an antenna in communication with the communications circuit and configured to broadcast location data to the at least one mobile device, and a power supply configured to supply power for the tracking device; securing the tracking device to the blood product container, the switch transitioning from the open position to the closed position upon securing the tracking device to the blood product container; tracking location data of the blood product container; storing the location data within the memory; and transmitting, using the communication circuit and antenna, location data from the tracking device to a wireless device.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the tracking device further includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a light emitter, a speaker, and an vibration motor.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the light emitter, speaker and / or the vibration motor is configured to be remotely activated to locate the tracker.

38. The method according to claim 35, wherein the wireless device is configured to send a signal to the tracking device to locate the tracking device by activating the light emitter, speaker and / or vibration motor.

39. The method according to claim 35, wherein the power supply is replaceable.

40. The method according to claim 35, wherein the power supply is rechargeable.

41. The method according to claim 35, wherein the tracking device is a system-on-chip device.

42. The method according to claim 35, wherein the tracker is configured to periodically broadcast location data to the at least one mobile device.

43. The method according to claim 35, wherein the tracking device is configured to broadcast location data using Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Cellular, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), or Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).

44. The method according to claim 35, wherein the location data includes meta data.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the meta data includes data selected from the group consisting of GPS coordinates, velocity, acceleration, orientation, altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, lumens, and sound level.

46. The method according to claim 35, wherein the at least one wireless device is configured to send the location data to a host system for storage in a central database.

47. A system for tracking a blood product container, the system including: a tracking device secured to the blood product container and configured to track the location of the blood product container, the tracking device including: a switch configured to activate the tracking device when closed and deactivate the tracking device when open, the switch normally open when the tracking device is not secured to the blood product container and closed when the tracking device is secured to the blood product container, a memory configured to store location data for the blood product container, a communications circuit, an antenna in communication with the communications circuit and configured to broadcast location data, and a power supply configured to supply power for the tracking device; a wireless device in communication with the tracking device and configured to receive the location data from the tracking device; and a host system in communication with the wireless device and having a central database and a user interface, the host system configured to receive the location data from the wireless device and store the location data within the central database.

48. The system according to claim 47, wherein the wireless device is configured to send a signal to the tracking device to active a light emitter, a speaker and / or a vibration motor to locate the tracking device.

49. The system according to claim 48, wherein the host system is configured to instruct the wireless device to send the signal.

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