Smart Shipping Box with Active Thermal Control for Biological Sample Preprocessing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a cost-effective and efficient method to transport critical medical products and biological samples without spoilage, particularly for applications where time-to-diagnosis is critical. Existing shipping solutions often require refrigeration, which increases costs and logistical complexity, and do not provide reliable control over various parameters necessary for sample preprocessing during transport.
Innovation Solution
The development of a smart shipping box equipped with low-cost electronic circuitry panels that enable active control of temperature and remote monitoring of biological samples during transportation. This system allows for precise control of temperature, humidity, and other parameters, enabling preprocessing of samples such as DNA extraction and mixing with reagents during transit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shipping packaging with thermal isolation and cooling is used, then sample integrity is preserved, but transportation cost and logistical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shipping container performs preprocessing functions (mixing, thermal cycling, incubation) autonomously during transit without requiring external laboratory equipment or complex logistical arrangements. The system serves itself by converting transportation time into productive sample preparation time, eliminating the need for separate cooling equipment and complex temperature control logistics.
Solution Approach 2:
The container performs sample preprocessing actions (reagent mixing, thermal cycling, incubation) during transportation before the sample reaches the processing facility. This preliminary action during transit reduces or eliminates the need for complex post-arrival processing equipment and procedures at the destination.
2Reliability
If refrigeration is used to preserve medical products, then sample integrity is maintained, but cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shipping container is designed to perform multiple functions: transportation, temperature control, sample mixing, thermal cycling, and incubation. This multi-functional device replaces the need for separate refrigeration equipment, mixing devices, and incubators, simplifying operations while maintaining sample integrity through diverse preservation and preparation methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple storage-type control is used, then cost is reduced, but ability to control parameters for sample preprocessing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs dynamic control of temperature and other parameters during transit, adjusting conditions based on the sample processing requirements. The system can cycle between different temperature states and mixing intensities to optimize sample preparation, moving beyond static storage conditions while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of standard shipping infrastructure.
4Reliability
If preprocessing is performed at the processing facility, then sample quality is ensured, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates idle transportation time by continuously performing useful preprocessing actions (mixing, thermal cycling, incubation) throughout the entire transit period. This continuous utilization of transportation time for sample preparation maintains sample quality while significantly reducing the time required at the processing facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The container performs sample preprocessing actions during transportation before arrival at the processing facility. This preliminary preparation includes reagent mixing, thermal cycling, and incubation, which ensures sample quality is established during transit and reduces or eliminates the need for time-consuming processing steps at the destination.
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 smart shipping box effectively maintains sample integrity and reduces processing time at the sample processing facility by allowing for preprocessing during transport. This results in increased sample fidelity and diagnostic integrity, while also reducing transportation costs and logistical complexities.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the six panels may be equipped with a temperature sensor and a thermal actuator... The thermal actuators provide a time-varying steady state temperature during transport
Implementation Method 2
The bulk of the wall is configured to minimize the impact of the surrounding environment temperature, such as by insulation layers
Implementation Method 3
One embodiment includes a layer of phase change material positioned between the insulative layers
Implementation Method 4
One embodiment includes a layer of phase change material positioned between the insulative layers
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods and related devices for preprocessing a biological sample during transit. The method may comprise the steps of: storing a biological sample in a storage container having walls that defines a storage volume; transporting the storage container with the stored biological sample to a sample processing facility; controlling one or more storage container parameters during the transporting step to initiate preprocessing of the biological sample; wherein the controlling step improves a processing parameter at the sample processing facility.