Foldable Cryogenic Envelope for Blood Bag Shock Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for transporting blood bags at cryogenic temperatures are prone to shattering and do not adequately protect against shocks and vibrations, leading to potential damage and loss of integrity during storage and transport.

Innovation Solution

A foldable envelope made from polymeric material that can withstand cryogenic temperatures, featuring a crumple zone and multiple layers for shock absorption, which is designed to enclose and protect blood bags from external impacts and vibrations, eliminating the need for metal cassettes and reducing component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metallic case is used to hold the blood bag, then the blood bag is protected from external damage such as cuts and punctures, but the blood bag becomes vulnerable to shocks and vibrations that cause it to slide and impact the inner surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from external damageVSAvoidshocks and vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a foam insert within the envelope that is positioned to cushion the blood bag before impacts occur. The foam material absorbs shocks and vibrations, preventing the blood bag from sliding and impacting the inner surfaces of the container, thus resolving the contradiction between protection from external damage and vulnerability to shocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam insert acts as an intermediary element between the envelope and the blood bag. It mediates the interaction by absorbing mechanical energy from shocks and vibrations, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the blood bag while maintaining the structural integrity of the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an overwrap bag made of cryogenically friendly material is used, then the blood bag is protected from shattering at cryogenic temperatures, but the blood bag still shatters and the integrity of released blood is not maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from shatteringVSAvoidshattering of blood bag

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foam insert provides beforehand cushioning that prevents the blood bag from shattering by absorbing impact forces before they can cause damage. This complementary approach to the overwrap bag ensures both protection from shattering and maintenance of blood integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution combines the overwrap bag made of cryogenically friendly material with a foam insert to create a composite protective system. The overwrap bag provides protection from cold temperatures while the foam insert provides shock absorption, together preventing shattering and maintaining blood integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If a metallic case is used for transport, then the blood bag is held securely, but the case does not absorb impacts causing the blood bag to slide and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding shape and protecting from damageVSAvoidimpact transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foam insert provides beforehand cushioning that absorbs impacts before they reach the blood bag. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the structural stability provided by the metallic case while adding shock absorption capability through the foam material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of metallic case and foam insert creates a composite structure that leverages the strength and shape retention of metal while adding the shock absorption properties of foam, resolving the contradiction between stability and impact transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The envelope effectively prevents shattering and maintains the integrity of blood bags by absorbing shocks and vibrations, ensuring safe transport while being lightweight and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

A foam insert is included in the envelope to cushion the blood bag from shocks and vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The envelope is made from a polymeric material that is able to withstand cryogenic temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal resistance: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12116170B2Foldable cassette bags for transporting biomaterials

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 CRYOPORT INC

AI summary

An envelope is configured to hold, support, and protect an article such as a blood bag during transportation under cryogenic temperatures. The envelope includes a single piece component (e.g., a monolithic component), including multiple panels that are configured to fold to form an enclosure that surrounds the article such as the blood bag for support and protection of the article such as the blood bag.