Microscope Slide Container
The invention provides a container for the storage and transport of microscope slides. In particular, the container comprises one or more receiving means for receiving a plurality of microscope slides such that both surfaces of each slide are exposed to air and at least one side of the container is fully open. The container may also comprise a closing means capable of preventing microscope slides contained inside the container from sliding out of the container. The design of the container allows for air exchange between the outside and inside of the container to facilitate the drying of slides contained within the container. Methods of transporting and drying microscope slides are also disclosed.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/962,602 filed Jul. 31, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a container for transporting and storing microscope slides. In particular, the container is designed such that air passes into the container from the external environment and circulates freely within the container. Such a design allows for microscope slides to be dried while transported in the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMicroscope slides are typically rectangular, thin pieces of glass on which biological specimens, such as tissue, cells, and fluids are adhered or smeared. Because microscope slides are relatively fragile, devices that securely hold the slides and protect the specimens that may be deposited on them during transport and storage are required.
Diagnosis of many hematologic diseases relies on the examination of microscope slides containing blood or tissues samples from a patient. Cellular material from peripheral blood, bone marrow, or other tissues is smeared or spread on the surface of a microscope slide for subsequent staining and microscopic evaluation. The integrity of the sample is critical for adequate staining and accurate interpretation of test results. The preservation of the sample is highly dependent on whether the sample is thoroughly air-dried. Air drying is a form of cell fixation, which acts to maintain the structure of cells and biological materials contained within the sample.
A common problem in the storage and transport of slides containing biological specimens, particularly hematological samples, is that the slides are placed in containers before they have completely dried, which results in the degeneration and destruction of the cellular material in the sample before the slides have been stained or processed. Such samples are of limited or no value for use in the diagnosis of diseases or disorders. Thus, a container which allows for the exchange of air between the inside and outside of the container to facilitate thorough air drying of samples present on microscope slides placed in such a container is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne object of the present invention is to provide a container for storing and transporting a plurality of microscope slides, in which sufficient air circulation is present to facilitate the drying of slides placed inside the container. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, the container comprises one or more receiving means, wherein each receiving means is structured to receive a microscope slide with both sides of the slide exposed to air, and wherein at least one side of the container is fully open. Such a container is simple and allows for slides to be easily inserted and removed without disrupting samples deposited on the slides. In some embodiments, the microscope slides are hematological slides.
Each receiving means of the container comprises a first holding means and a second holding means, wherein the first holding means is on a first side of the container and the second holding means is on a second side of the container. The distance between the first holding means and the second holding means may be equal to the width of a microscope slide.
In another embodiment of the invention, the container having a third side fully open may comprise a closing means capable of partially closing the third side of the container when it is in a closed position and preventing microscope slides contained inside the container from sliding out of the container. The closing means can be fixed to the third side of the container or be removable from the container.
In another embodiment, the container may have a fourth side that is partially open. The fourth side may comprise one or more slits or openings that enhance air flow into the container. The fourth side may comprise a mesh structure that partially covers the open side. The mesh structure keeps the slides from sliding out of the container as well as enhancing air exchange between the inside and outside of the container.
The present invention also provides a method of transporting a microscope slide. In one embodiment, the method comprises placing the microscope slide in the receiving means of the container, and during transportation of the container partially closing the side that is fully open with a closing means to prevent the microscope slide from sliding out of the container. The closing means may be removed when the container is not in transit to allow for one side of the container to be fully open.
The present invention also contemplates a method of drying a microscope slide. In one embodiment, the method comprises placing the microscope slide in the receiving means of the container. Preferably, the microscope slide is dried during transportation of the container.
Referring to
As illustrated in
In one embodiment of the invention, the container 1 comprises a plurality of microscope slides, each of which is positioned in a receiving means 16 of the container. The microscope slides are positioned in the receiving means such that both surfaces of each slide are exposed to air and do not contact adjacent slides or inner surfaces of the container. In some embodiments, the slides may be hematological slides.
In another embodiment of the invention, the rectangular container 1 comprises a closing means 10 capable of partially closing the open side of the container when it is in a closed position and preventing microscope slides contained inside the container from sliding out of the container (
In one embodiment, the closing means is fixed to the open side of the container, e.g., via any suitable attachment to side(s) outlining the open side of the container. The closing means may be fixed to the open side of the container by an adhesive, a rivet, a screw, a snap, or any other suitable attachment means such that the closing means covers partially the open side, e.g., bridges the width of the open side. In another embodiment, the closing means is a piece of material that can be fixed to the open side as well as removable from the open side of the container. The closing means may be any suitable material or shape, e.g., strip of plastic, fabric or any other suitable material, tape, a rubber band, netting, or piece of string, etc.
In another embodiment of the invention, a fourth side of the rectangular container is partially open. With reference to
Referring to
In some embodiments, the rectangular container may have more than one side fully open. As shown in
The rectangular container may be fabricated from a variety of materials including, but not limited to cardboard, wood, metal, and plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the container is fabricated from a thermoplastic material, such as polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyamide, polypropylene, and polyethylene, in an injection molding process.
The present invention also provides a method of transporting a microscope slide. In one embodiment, the method comprises placing the microscope slide S in the receiving means 16 of the rectangular container 1, and during transportation of the container partially closing the side that is fully open 12 with a closing means 10 to prevent the microscope slide from sliding out of the container. The receiving means holds the microscope slide securely so that there is minimal movement of the microscope slide during transportation. In addition, the receiving means positions the microscope slide such that both surfaces of the slide are exposed to air, which facilitates the complete air-drying of any samples that may be deposited on the microscope slide. Accordingly, microscope slides, especially hematologic slides, can be dried in the container during storage or transport of the container. In another embodiment, the closing means can be removed so that the side of the container is fully open when the container is not in transit.
The present invention also contemplates a method of drying a microscope slide. In one embodiment, the method comprises placing the microscope slide S in the receiving means 16 of the rectangular container 1. In some embodiments, the microscope slide is a hematologic slide. The microscope slide may be dried during transportation of the container.
Although specific embodiments of the container and methods of using the container have been described and illustrated, many modifications and substitutions to the structure or methods will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, for use with a rectangular container comprising a fourth side that is partially open, a lid or other type of closure may be used to cover the fully open third side after the slides have been placed into the container. The slide container and methods of use described herein may be used with any type of microscope slide. In particular, the inventive container is useful for the storage and transport of hematological slides.
Claims
1. An enclosed rectangular container comprising one or more receiving means,
- wherein each receiving means is structured to receive a microscope slide with both sides of the slide exposed to air, and
- wherein at least one side of the container is fully open.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein each receiving means comprises a first holding means and a second holding means, wherein the first holding means is on a first side of the container and the second holding means is on a second side of the container.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the first side and the second side are on opposite sides of each other.
4. The container of claim 2, wherein the distance between the first holding means and the second holding means is equal to the width of a microscope slide.
5. The container of claim 2, wherein a third side of the container is fully open and comprises a closing means capable of partially closing the third side of the container when it is in a closed position and preventing microscope slides contained inside the container from sliding out of the container.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the closing means is removable from the container.
7. The container of claim 5, wherein the closing means is fixed to the third side of the container.
8. The container of claim 5, wherein a fourth side of the container is partially open.
9. The container of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of microscope slides, each of which is positioned in a receiving means of the container.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the microscope slides are hematologic slides.
11. An enclosed container comprising one or more receiving means, wherein each receiving means is structured to receive a microscope slide with both sides of the slide exposed to air, wherein at least one side of the container is fully open; and wherein said container comprises a closing means capable of partially closing the open side of the container when it is in a closed position and preventing microscope slides contained inside the container from sliding out of the container.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the closing means is fixed to the container at the open side.
13. A method of transporting a microscope slide comprising placing the microscope slide in the receiving means of the container of claim 1, and during transportation of the container partially closing the side that is fully open with a closing means to prevent the microscope slide from sliding out of the container.
14. The method of claim 13, when the container is not in transit removing the closing means so that the side is fully open.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the microscope slide is a hematologic slide.
16. A method of drying a microscope slide comprising placing the microscope slide in the receiving means of the container of claim 1.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the microscope slide is a hematologic slide.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the microscope slide is dried during transportation of the container.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 30, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 5, 2009
Inventor: Thomas C. Laipply (Carlsbad, CA)
Application Number: 12/182,586
International Classification: B65D 85/48 (20060101); B65B 7/28 (20060101); B65B 55/00 (20060101);