Multi-chamber Biological Container with Hinged Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current containers for storing and rehydrating tissue and biological materials are inefficient, leading to compromised sterility, inconsistent rehydration, and waste due to single-chamber designs that require repeated handling and exposure to open environments, which can damage the tissue and result in longer processing times.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chamber container with separable, flexible layers that allow for separate storage and rehydration of multiple tissue specimens within hermetically sealed volumes, enabling selective use of needed amounts while maintaining sterility and reducing handling-induced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-chamber container is used for storing and rehydrating tissue implants, then the container structure is simple, but sterility is compromised and handling complexity increases due to repeated transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple sealed chambers within a single unit. Each chamber can independently store tissue implants or rehydration solutions, eliminating the need to open the container during transfers. This segmentation maintains sterility while keeping the overall container structure relatively simple.
2Device complexity
If a single-chamber container is used for rehydration, then the container design is straightforward, but rehydration consistency deteriorates due to inconsistent tissue exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The container separates storage and rehydration functions into distinct chambers. The rehydration chamber is designed with features that ensure consistent tissue exposure to rehydration solution, such as controlled access ports and internal structures that promote uniform distribution, thereby improving rehydration consistency without overly complicating the design.
3Ease of operation
If a single-chamber container is opened for rehydration, then access to tissue is easy, but handling time increases due to repeated transfers and movements
Solution Approach 1:
The container provides easy access to tissue through controlled access ports in the rehydration chamber, allowing manipulation and rehydration to occur without opening the entire container. This segmentation enables straightforward operation while significantly reducing processing time by eliminating repeated transfers between containers.
4Device complexity
If a single-chamber container is used, then packaging is simple, but material waste increases when less than entire portion is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The container divides biological materials into separate sealed chambers, allowing only the required portion to be accessed and removed from the rehydration chamber while the remaining materials stay sealed in their original chambers. This segmentation reduces waste by enabling partial use without compromising the sterility of the entire package.
5Ease of operation
If repeated transfers are performed in open containers, then tissue manipulation is possible, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container provides a sealed rehydration chamber where tissue manipulation can be performed without exposing the tissue to external contaminants or mechanical damage risks associated with repeated transfers. The segmentation allows necessary manipulation while protecting the tissue from harmful factors.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for storing tissue and other biological materials includes a separable flexible container that includes a first layer coupled to a second layer via a set of seals to define a first storage volume and a second storage volume. Separate tissue specimens are containable within the first storage volume and the second storage volume. A first portion of the first layer or the second layer defines a first opening into the first storage volume. A second portion of the first layer or the second layer defines a second opening into the second storage volume. The opening into the first volume and the opening into the second volume are positioned near opposite edges of the flexible container. The separable flexible container also includes a hinge to allow the first opening and the second opening to move from location on opposing edges of the separable flexible container to adjacent locations.