Electronic Lock Container for Secure Blood and Organ Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing and transporting sensitive articles like blood, organs, and evidence lack effective access control and tampering prevention, leading to potential mismatches and incompatibilities, with existing containers not providing reliable security or chain of custody tracking.
Innovation Solution
A sealable container equipped with an electronic lock system and onboard computer that only unlocks when specific person identity parameters and technical data match pre-chosen reference standards, ensuring secure access and tracking of authorized users, and optionally includes temperature monitoring and chain of custody recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional manual checking methods are used for blood and organ matching, then the process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but errors occur leading to incorrect administration to patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical checking processes with an electronic lock system that automatically verifies patient identity, blood type, and product information through electronic data matching. The system substitutes human verification with automated electronic validation, eliminating manual errors while maintaining operational simplicity through user-friendly interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically comparing input data against stored reference standards without requiring external validation. The electronic lock system independently validates patient-blood compatibility, reducing reliance on manual checking and minimizing human error while maintaining process simplicity.
2Reliability
If unlocked containment coolers are used for transporting organs and blood, then the containers are simple and easy to access, but tampering cannot be prevented and mismatching errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies security controls selectively at critical points in the system. The electronic lock mechanism provides localized security at the container access point, while maintaining simple operation through automated verification. The system concentrates security functions where needed rather than requiring complex controls throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic lock system acts as an intermediary between the user and the container contents. It mediates access by verifying identity and compatibility information before permitting opening, preventing both tampering and mismatching errors while maintaining ease of operation through automated validation processes.
3Reliability
If paper records are used for tracking chain of custody, then the system is simple and requires minimal equipment, but security against tampering and loss of information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based chain of custody tracking with an electronic recording system integrated into the lock mechanism. The system automatically logs access events, user identity, and verification data, eliminating manual documentation errors and providing tamper-evident digital records while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains digital copies of chain of custody information in secure memory within the electronic lock. These electronic records serve as reliable backups that prevent information loss and provide verifiable tracking data without requiring complex external documentation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A secure safety container is made up with a base and a cover that can be locked together by an electric operated lock carried by the container. The top and base of the container together form a secure space within the container sized and configured to receive an article or articles. Also carried by the container are a CPU with a touch data entry screen, a rechargeable battery, date entry and infra red data entry ports, a tracking transponder and a thermister to provide humidity and temperature inputs to the CPU. After entry into the CPU of insert data relative to the article or articles to be secured within the secure space the electric lock may be activated to secure the container cover to its base. Upon entry of corresponding retrieve data into the CPU and the CPU determining that there is a “match” between the insert data and retrieve data the electric lock is operated by the CPU to permit access to the secure space within the container and retrieval of the article or articles therein. Such article or articles may be units of blood or uman organs to be “matched” to the patient to receive same or crime scene evidence for which a “chain of custody” is required or similar articles.