US 12,342,812 B2
Active biological sample processing and thermal management devices
Ulrich Schaff, Livermore, CA (US); Angela Le, San Jose, CA (US); Tifany Pan, Walnut Creek, CA (US); Kyungjin Hong, Livermore, CA (US); and Clara Neal, Livermore, CA (US)
Assigned to LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS, Burlington, NC (US)
Filed by LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS, Burlington, NC (US)
Filed on Jul. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/385,155.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/056,909, filed on Jul. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0022449 A1, Jan. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. A01N 1/148 (2025.01); A01N 1/145 (2025.01); B04B 5/04 (2006.01); B04B 9/02 (2006.01); B04B 9/10 (2006.01); B04B 15/02 (2006.01); G01N 1/40 (2006.01)
CPC A01N 1/148 (2025.01) [A01N 1/145 (2025.01); B04B 5/0414 (2013.01); B04B 9/02 (2013.01); B04B 9/10 (2013.01); B04B 15/02 (2013.01); G01N 1/4077 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for blood sample separation and shipping comprising:
(a) an outer container:
(b) a thermal insulation layer within the outer container and defining a receiving area;
(c) a centrifuge assembly within the receiving area of the thermal insulation layer, wherein the thermal insulation layer is between the centrifuge assembly and the outer container, the centrifuge assembly comprising:
(d) a motor compartment;
(e) a rotor assembly comprising a rotor body, a fixed counterweight, an attachment hub, and exactly one sample tube retainer;
(f) a centrifuge motor adapted to spin the rotor assembly around an axis of rotation;
(g) an electronic controller operatively connected to the centrifuge motor;
(h) a battery, wherein the battery provides power to the centrifuge motor and to the electronic controller;
(i) a safety liner surrounding at least a portion of the rotor assembly within the receiving area of the thermal insulation layer;
(j) a thermally insulating lid comprising a thermal seal; and
(k) one or more thermal management-elements.