Pre-Charged CO2 Snow Container System for Biological Sample Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preserving and transporting biological samples during clinical trials, such as those using dry ice or liquid nitrogen, are labor-intensive, costly, and prone to temperature fluctuations, leading to sample degradation and logistical complexities.
Innovation Solution
A method of pre-charging insulated containers with CO2 snow, which involves generating CO2 snow on-demand using an automatic dispensing station, allowing for efficient and controlled temperature maintenance during transport and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual loading of dry ice and samples into insulated boxes is used, then sample preservation is achieved, but labor intensity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the machine automatically charges CO2 snow into containers without requiring manual loading of dry ice or samples. The automated charging system performs the preservation preparation independently, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle and load cooling materials and biological samples into insulated boxes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of loading dry ice and samples with an automated machine system. The CO2 charging machine uses controlled mechanical and thermal processes to generate and deposit CO2 snow automatically, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical system that performs the same preservation function more efficiently.
2Temperature
If conventional dry ice loading methods are used, then cooling is provided, but temperature gradients and sample degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The CO2 snow charging system applies local quality by distributing cooling uniformly throughout the container rather than concentrating it in one location. The machine charges CO2 snow to specific levels and distributes it evenly, ensuring that temperature is uniformly maintained across different regions of the container, preventing the temperature gradients that occur with conventional dry ice loading methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameters of the cooling agent. Instead of using solid dry ice blocks that create localized cooling zones, the system generates CO2 snow (fine particulate solid CO2) and charges it to controlled levels, transforming the cooling agent into a form that distributes more uniformly and maintains consistent temperature throughout the container.
3Temperature
If liquid nitrogen-based vapor vessels are used, then cryogenic preservation is achieved, but preparation time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The CO2 snow charging system performs preliminary action by pre-charging containers with CO2 snow before samples are loaded. This allows the cooling environment to be prepared in advance and maintained ready for sample loading, eliminating the need for time-consuming preparation steps such as pouring liquid nitrogen and waiting for absorption as required by liquid nitrogen-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the time-consuming preparation steps from the preservation process. By using pre-charged CO2 snow containers, the system removes the lengthy preparation procedures associated with liquid nitrogen systems (pouring, absorption waiting, decanting) and provides ready-to-use preserved samples, significantly reducing the time required from preparation to sample availability.
4Reliability
If expedited delivery methods are used for insulated boxes, then temperature maintenance is improved, but cost and logistical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-charging containers with CO2 snow to extended levels that provide sufficient cooling for standard delivery timeframes. This preliminary charging ensures that temperature maintenance is achieved without requiring expedited delivery, as the extended cooling duration allows samples to be transported via standard shipping methods while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the cooling duration adjustable and extendable. The CO2 snow charging system can charge containers to different levels based on required delivery timeframes, providing flexible cooling duration that adapts to various shipping scenarios. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for expedited delivery by extending the cooling timeline to match standard delivery schedules.
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
This approach reduces the need for on-site inventory management, minimizes sample degradation, and provides extended cooling duration, enabling cost-effective and reliable preservation of biological samples throughout the transport process.
Implementation Method 1
generating the CO2 snow within the empty or the partially empty container
Implementation Method 2
The dry ice cools the interior of the insulated box as it sublimates to carbon dioxide vapor
Implementation Method 3
as the dry ice sublimates, significant temperature gradients can arise within the interior sample space
Data Source
AI summary
Manual and automated methods of pre-charging an empty or partially empty insulated container with CO2 snow are provided. A first location such as a charging location charges CO2 liquid into a container to create a pre-charged container with CO2 snow. The charging location prepares the pre-charged container for delivery to a second location, either by itself, or through a third party. The second location may be a clinical site, which upon receipt of the pre-charged container, loads a perishable item such as a biological sample into the pre-charged container. A user receives the pre-charged container with perishable item and removes the perishable item from the pre-charger container for testing (e.g., biological testing). Depending on the level of depletion of the CO2 snow in the pre-charged container, the user returns the depleted container to the first location or the intermediate location.