Cell storage maintenance and monitoring system
US6315767A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/24
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cell storage maintenance and monitoring system includes a blood product storage container, such as a flexible bag, and a microporous membrane which may be attached to an inner wall of the blood storage container to form a contained space between the inner wall and the membrane. The membrane includes a plurality of pores, preferably filled with an erodible substance responsive to a characteristic of the blood product, such as pH. When the pH value drops to a predetermined level, the substance begins to erode, causing the pores to enlarge, and allowing a portion of the blood product to pass through the pores into the contained space, where it can be visibly detected. The contained space may contain a chemical indicator or buffers and nutrients, which are released into the blood product when the pores begin to open. In another embodiment, the microporous membrane may be in the form of a pod or capsule which may be attached to the wall or allowed to free-float within the contents of the storage container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.