Mini-incubator Carrier Box for Sterile Biological Sample Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting biological samples and cells lack controlled sterile environments, stable temperature, humidity, and gas levels, leading to inaccurate results and viability issues, especially during long-distance transport, and existing equipment is not practical for maintaining optimal conditions.
Innovation Solution
A portable, chargeable, and cost-effective Mini-incubator carrier box designed with a sealed, sterile environment, HEPA filtration, adjustable CO2/O2 levels, temperature control, and digital monitoring, allowing for the transport of various containers under optimized conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional transport methods (styrofoam box, blanket wrapping) are used, then portability and simplicity are improved, but temperature stability and sterile environment control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a styrofoam carrier box for portability, an incubator chamber for temperature control, HEPA filtration system for sterility, and gas control systems for O2/CO2 regulation. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The incubator chamber acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the biological samples. It provides a controlled microenvironment with stable temperature, humidity, and gas composition, isolating the samples from external fluctuations while remaining portable through the styrofoam carrier.
2Ease of operation
If conventional transport methods (styrofoam box) are used, then portability is improved, but sterile environment and gas level control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates a controlled atmosphere inside the incubator chamber with regulated O2 (5-21%) and CO2 (0-10%) levels, replacing the external environment. This controlled inert environment prevents contamination while maintaining conditions suitable for biological sample transport, all within a portable styrofoam carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The HEPA filtration system serves as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the samples. It filters airborne contaminants while allowing the portable device to maintain a sterile internal environment during transport.
3Duration of action of moving object
If freezing methods are used for long-distance transport, then transport duration is extended, but cell viability and metabolic activity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device maintains optimal temperature parameters (37°C ± 0.5°C) throughout transport, preventing the temperature-induced cellular damage that occurs with freezing or uncontrolled ambient transport. This parameter control enables extended transport duration while preserving cell viability and metabolic activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The incubator provides continuous temperature control, gas supply, and humidity maintenance throughout the transport journey. This continuous active management of environmental parameters allows for long-distance transport without the need for freezing or other preservation methods that compromise cell viability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If repeated centrifugation or freezing is used, then transport capability is improved, but sample integrity and experimental accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows samples to transport themselves in their original containers without requiring external processing. The incubator chamber provides all necessary environmental controls (temperature, gas, humidity) directly to the samples, eliminating the need for repeated centrifugation, freezing, or other sample preparation steps that compromise integrity.
5Ease of operation
If available transport equipment is used, then basic transport function is achieved, but control over critical parameters (O2, CO2, humidity) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments transport functionality from environmental control functionality. The styrofoam carrier provides basic transport, while the integrated incubator chamber provides sophisticated control over temperature, O2 (5-21%), CO2 (0-10%), and humidity levels, enabling both ease of operation and precise parameter control simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The incubator chamber serves multiple functions: temperature control, gas regulation, humidity maintenance, and sterile environment creation. This multi-functionality allows a single portable device to control all critical parameters needed for various biological sample types, from cell cultures to organ transport.
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
Enables the secure, long-distance transport of biological samples and cells in their original containers, maintaining sterile and stable conditions, reducing the risk of contamination and metabolic changes, thus preserving sample viability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element to maintain a stable temperature inside the sealed box
Implementation Method 2
a heating element to maintain a stable temperature inside the sealed box
Implementation Method 3
a water reservoir to maintain stable humidity levels
Implementation Method 4
gas reservoirs to control oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
Data Source
AI summary
The carriers that are available in the market don't maintain all the necessary parameters that are mentioned in the subject matter of this application. Many of them are: 1) Costly 2) Allow the transport of cells for short period of time 3) Are suitable for transporting certain type of cells 4) Don't include control for all the parameters that are required for the experiments 5) Need extra steps that can affect cell/organs and waste the time, efforts and money of the researchers. 6) Limit researchers for using containers with certain sizes and materials. 7) Involve changing the conditions of cell growth such as splitting the cells, freezing, centrifuge them during the process of transporting them. Alternatively, the Mini-incubator carrier box in my invention is an economic transport system and practical. It enables the researchers to fix different containers at different sizes using clamps and screws and to transport the organs/samples/cells in any container for long period of time and long distance under optimized conditions without the need of extra steps/costs.