FR3027591A1 - PACKAGING FOR TRANSPORTING A PORTION OF THE HUMAN OR ANIMAL BODY - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package for transporting a portion of a human or animal body comprising a pocket (100) defining an interior receiving volume of the body portion and having a first opening (110) positioned on a first edge of the pocket (100), and a receptacle (200) adapted to receive a cooling element, characterized in that said pocket (100) is integral with said receptacle (200); said pocket (100) and said receptacle (200) being formed of a flexible material.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the medical field and more specifically to the transport of parts of a human or animal body. The invention relates more particularly to the packaging intended to be used in the context of the transport and preservation of body parts in particular sectioned for a potential graft. STATE OF THE ART Progress in the medical field continues to grow and it has become increasingly common to treat patients with a part of their body is sick, by addressing this problem by a transplant. Transplantation is the replacement, by means of a surgical procedure, of an element of the human body that no longer functions (or is lacking due to cutting, for example) by a human body element (or other human body) that works properly. This technique is considered by doctors when no other treatment works. In medicine, a transplant is a surgical procedure that consists of replacing a diseased organ with a healthy organ called a "graft" or "transplant" from a donor. After explantation of the graft, the organ will follow a precise path to be transplanted into the body of the recipient by surgery. Since the first transplants, many innovations have been found to improve the transplant. Explantation of the organ is done under the same conditions as surgery. During the operation, there are very strict health safety rules. First, the graft will be directly supported after the operation that has extracted it from its original body, so it will be packaged in a box for transport. The organs removed are usually kept cold in preserving liquids. The conditioning of the graft is also very precise. In particular, transport must be carried out as quickly as possible, the grafts being transported by car, by T.G.V., by plane, or by helicopter.

Every hour from explantation to transplantation is counted, each organ has a limited and different life span. This corresponds to the time during which the organs or tissues to be transplanted will be deprived of blood and oxygen. The plugin must arrive as quickly as possible at the destination. The surgical teams are waiting for it to be grafted into the recipient's body. They will wash it, look at it to see if it is still in good condition, and then they will transplant it. The transport of the graft is therefore an essential step which must be carried out not only in a limited time but also under rigorous conservation conditions, especially in terms of temperature, sealing and protection. Technical constraints to ensure the maintenance in good condition organs to be grafted including maintaining the temperature inside the box led to develop a very thick isothermal box and high polystyrene density. These boxes are generally bulky and have a relatively high cost. There is therefore a need to provide an alternative solution to solve all or at least some of the disadvantages. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for preserving parts of the body during transport that is compact, easy to use and inexpensive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve this objective, one aspect of the present invention is a package for transporting a portion of a human or animal body including a pocket defining an interior receiving volume of the body portion and provided with a first opening positioned on a first edge of the pocket, and a receptacle adapted to receive at least one cooling element. Advantageously, the pocket is secured to said receptacle, said pocket and said receptacle being formed of flexible material. The present invention also relates to a system comprising the packaging according to the present invention and comprising at least one cooling element in the receptacle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of using the system comprising the following steps: placing at least one refrigerant element in the receptacle, placing a part of the human or animal body in the pocket, closing the first opening of the pocket by the closure means. According to one embodiment, the method also comprises a step of actuating the means for opening the zone of access to the interior volume of the pocket so as to recover the part of the human or animal body. The invention also has significant advantages for the transport and preservation of parts of human bodies that have been severed in an accident, most often extremities of the limbs. In these 20 situations, the helpers arriving on the spot, do not always have available technical means to recover the member under satisfactory sanitary conditions. It is however essential in these cases to keep the limb properly. The recovery, transport and retention of the limb are essential points predicting the success of the graft of the severed limb. With the invention, any rescue vehicle can have available packaging that does not take up space and are easy to use with any type of refrigerant while ensuring the conditions of safety and preservation for transplant. The advantages of the present invention are all the more apparent as the packaging according to the present invention requires few means and is therefore relatively inexpensive. It is also easy to use, compact (its size in the storage position is very low in this case compared to a box), easily transportable in any type of transport (car, plane, train, bus etc.) . It also allows optimal conservation in terms of temperature and sealing and contamination for example by its unique use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The objects, objects, as well as the features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the packaging before use. FIGURE 2 illustrates a profile sectional view of the package into which a portion of a human or animal body is inserted.

The drawings are given by way of examples and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not necessarily at the scale of practical applications. In particular, the relative dimensions of the different elements are not representative of reality. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before proceeding to a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, are set forth below optional features which may optionally be implemented in association or alternatively: the first opening of the pocket comprises a closure means configured to render the inner volume of said bag tight to liquids and gases. the pocket comprises a first face facing the interior volume and a second face, opposite the first face, in contact with the receptacle. the pocket comprises an access zone to the interior volume positioned on a second edge, opposite to the first edge. - the access zone to the internal volume is obstructed by default. the zone of access to the interior volume comprises means 5 for opening said access zone. - The pocket comprises at least two sections assembled on a portion of their periphery by a sealing line to define the interior volume and the first opening. the packaging comprises two receptacles; the first receptacle 10 being integral with a first section of the pocket and the second receptacle being secured to a second side of the pocket so that said first and second receptacles are positioned on either side of the pocket. the receptacle comprises at least one panel; said panel being secured to the pocket by at least one sealing line extending partially around the periphery of said panel so as to define an access opening. the receptacle comprises an inner panel and an outer panel; the inner panel being integral with a pan among the assembled sections of the pocket. the receptacle comprises means for closing the access opening capable of holding at least one cooling element in said receptacle. - The receptacle comprises a plurality of compartments, each adapted to receive at least one refrigerant element. the pouch is made of polymer material. The embodiment of a packaging for the transport of a part of a human or animal body, with a view to proposing a device that is compact, easy to use and inexpensive, is detailed hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2. Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of the pack before use; and Fig. 2 illustrates a sectional view of said pack when a portion of a body is inserted into said pack. The package includes a bag 100 defining an interior volume for receiving a portion of a human or animal body. The term "part of the body" means any organ or limb that can be grafted, such as, for example, a finger, a hand, a leg, a foot or an internal organ such as the liver. The term "interior volume" of an object, a closed volume defining an interior space delimited by the periphery of the object.

Preferably, the bag 100 comprises at least two panels assembled on a portion of their periphery to define both an interior volume and a first opening 110. According to a preferred embodiment, the panels are assembled by a sealing line and advantageously by heat sealing. According to another embodiment, the panels are assembled by a seam or by gluing. The panels are preferably of rectangular shape. They can also be oblong. Advantageously, the sides of the pocket 100 are formed of polymer material. Preferably, the panels comprise polyethylene. According to a preferred embodiment, the sides of the pocket 100 are formed of a nonwoven material. The material or materials are preferably chosen to be inert vis-à-vis the part of the human body transported. Advantageously, the sections of the pocket 100 are impervious to any liquid and any gas. The sides of the pocket 100 may comprise several sheets stacked and superimposed so as to guarantee greater strength, when the sides of the pocket 100 are subjected to a tensile stress. The sections joined to each other thus form the pocket 100. According to a preferred embodiment, the pocket 100 comprises four edges 101, 102, 103, 104. The first edge 101 corresponds to the top of the pocket 100. second edge 102 corresponds to the bottom of the pocket 100. The first and second edges 101, 102 extend in a horizontal plane in use. The third and fourth borders 103, 104 correspond to the lateral edges of the pocket 100; they are parallel and extend in a vertical plane in use. The pocket 100 extends in a main direction, called height dimension h, which corresponds, in use, to the vertical. According to a preferred embodiment, the pocket 100 has a dimension of height h greater than a dimension of width I.

The dimension of width I is the distance separating the third edge 103 from the fourth edge 104 of the pocket 100. More specifically, the width dimension I of the pocket 100 is of sufficient width for a part of a body The width or width of the pocket 100 is preferably between 10 centimeters and 50 centimeters. The height dimension h of the pocket 100 is the distance separating the first edge 101 from the second edge 102 of the pocket 100. More specifically, the height dimension h of the pocket 100 is of sufficient width for a part A human or animal body may be inserted into the pocket 100 without exceeding it from said pocket 100. The height dimension h of the pocket 100 is preferably between 15 centimeters and 50 centimeters. The pocket 100 is preferably flexible and flexible so as to be easily foldable or rollable. It can undergo elastic deformation when subjected to a bending force, for example. The pocket 100 is thin, preferably less than 1 centimeter. The pocket 100 comprises a first opening 110 positioned on the first edge 101, that is to say in a part near the top of the pocket 100. According to a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment, the first opening 110 is extends according to the width dimension I of said pocket 100, from the third edge 103 to the fourth edge 104. Preferably, the first opening 110 extends along the entire width dimension I of the pocket 100. The pocket 100 preferably comprises a closure means 150 of the first aperture 110 configured to render the inner volume of said pocket 100 liquid and gas tight. Advantageously, the opening means 150 of the first opening 110 is positioned on the first edge 101, that is to say in a part near the top of the pocket 100. According to a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment, the Closure means 150 extends along the width dimension I of said pocket 100, from the third edge 103 to the fourth edge 104. Preferably, the first opening 110 extends across the entire width dimension I. of the bag 100 so as to facilitate the introduction of the body part by limiting the contacts with the first opening 110. According to one embodiment, the closure means 150 comprises a pre-glued area of a first section of the pocket 100 to be brought into contact with a second panel of the bag 100 so as to seal, advantageously permanently, said first and second panels of the bag 100. The type of closure means 150 is usable ra and releasably secures the pocket 100. In addition, it is advantageous that the closure means 150 prevents any subsequent opening at this level. The pocket 100 is thus sealed.

The pocket 100 comprises an access zone 120 to the interior volume; said zone 120 being positioned near the second edge 102 of the pocket 100, that is to say in an area near the bottom of the pocket 100. The zone of access 120 to the interior volume is advantageously obstructed by lack of so that it is already closed when the part of the body is introduced into the pocket 100. The access zone 120 to the interior volume of the pocket 100 comprises an opening means 175 of said access zone 120. opening 175 opens the pocket 100 at the access zone 120 to recover the portion of the transported body, the opening means 175 is preferably positioned on the third edge 103 or the fourth edge 104 of the the pocket 100. Advantageously, the opening means 175 is positioned near the second edge 102. According to a preferred embodiment, the opening means 175 is positioned at a distance less than 5 centimeters from the second edge 102 of the pocket 100. The opening means 175 preferably comprises a preformed point of weakness on the sides of the pocket 100. Advantageously, the opening means 175 is a slot or a narrow and stretched opening made from at least one between the third edge 103 or the fourth edge 104 of the pocket 100. The opening means 175 is preferably a precut made on the third edge 103 or the fourth edge 104 of the pocket 100. According to a preferred embodiment , the opening means 175 comprises a first means positioned on the third edge 103 and a second means positioned on the fourth edge 104. The first and second means 175 are advantageously positioned so as to be equidistant from the second edge 102. The arrangement of the access zone 120 opposite to the first opening 110 facilitates the introduction and recovery of the body portion. The pocket 100 advantageously comprises a receptacle 200. The receptacle 200 is intended to receive a refrigerant element 500 to ensure optimum preservation of the body part to be transported. According to a preferred embodiment, the bag 100 is provided with a first face 111 also called internal face opposite the inner volume of the pocket 100 and a second face 112 also called external face, opposite to the first face 111, the receptacle 200 contact. The receptacle 200 is preferably formed of at least one panel. According to a preferred embodiment, the panel of the receptacle 200 comprises a width dimension equal to the width dimension 1 of the pocket 100 and a height dimension preferably not exceeding the height dimension h of the pocket 100. a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 200 comprises at least a first edge 201 and a second edge 202. The first edge 201 corresponds to the top of the receptacle 200. The second edge 202 corresponds to the bottom of the pocket 100. The first and second Borders 201, 202 extend in a horizontal plane in use. The third and fourth borders 203, 204 correspond to the lateral edges of the receptacle 200; they are parallel and extend in a vertical plane in use. The receptacle 200 extends in a main direction, referred to as the height dimension, which corresponds in use to the vertical. According to a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 200 has a dimension of height h2 greater than a dimension of width 12. According to a preferred embodiment, the panel is secured to the bag 100 by at least one sealing line extending partially around the perimeter 30 of said panel so as to define an access opening 250. The access opening 250 of the receptacle 200 is advantageously positioned on the first edge 202, advantageously close to the first edge 101 of the pocket 100, otherwise said near the top of the pocket 100. According to a preferred embodiment but not limiting, the access opening 250 extends along the width dimension 1 of said pocket 100, from the third edge 103 to the fourth edge 104 of the pocket 100. Preferably, the access opening 250 extends along the entire width dimension Î of the pocket 100.

This access opening 250 allows the introduction of at least one cooling element 500 into the receptacle 200. The receptacle 200 comprises a closure means 275 positioned on the first edge 201, that is to say in a close part from the top of the bag 100. In this way, the receptacle 200 can be closed once the refrigerant element 500 is introduced. This closing means 250 limits the leakage of condensation water or coolant out of the receptacle 200. According to a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment, the closure means extends along the width dimension 12 of the receptacle 200 and of the receptacle 200. Preferably extends along the width dimension I of said pocket 100, from the third edge 103 to the fourth edge 104. The closure means 275 advantageously extends over the entire width dimension I of the pocket 100. one embodiment, the closure means 275 of the receptacle 200 comprises a pre-glued area of a first panel of the receptacle 200 intended to be brought into contact with a second panel of the receptacle 200 or with a pan among the sides of the pocket 100 , so as to seal, advantageously permanently, said first panel of the receptacle 200 with a second panel of the receptacle 200 or with a pan among the sides of the pocket 100. According to another embodiment, the receptacle 200 is positioned on the first face 111 of the pocket 100, that is to say it is positioned in the pocket 100. According to a particular embodiment, the receptacle 200 comprises a plurality of compartments, each adapted to receive a refrigerating element 500. According to a particular embodiment, the packaging comprises two receptacles 200. The first receptacle 200 is preferably integral with a first part of the bag 100 and the second receptacle 200 is preferentially secured to a second panel of the bag 100. Said first and second receptacles 200 are advantageously positioned on either side of the bag 100 in this embodiment. Particularly advantageously, the receptacles 200 thus positioned and provided with cooling elements 500 allow a heat supply distributed uniformly all around the pocket 100, that is to say around the part of the body to be kept at a predetermined temperature. view of a transplant. The invention also relates to a method of using a system; said system comprising the packaging according to the present invention and comprising at least one refrigerating element 500 in the receptacle 200. A first step of the method comprises placing at least one refrigerant element 500 in the receptacle 200 through the opening of the receptacle 200. access 275. The refrigerant element 500 includes any type of means for keeping cool for a limited time. The cooling element 500 may be in the form of, for example, instant cold pack. According to another embodiment, the cooling element 500 is in the form of a liquid that can be accompanied by ice. According to one embodiment, after the introduction of the refrigerant element 500, the access opening 275 of the receptacle 200 is closed by the closure means 250, so as to maintain the refrigerating element 500 in said receptacle 200.

A second step comprises placing the portion of the human or animal body in the pocket 100 by the first opening 110 positioned on the first edge 101 of the pocket 100. After the positioning of the body part, the procedure is advantageously carried out. closing said first opening 110 of the bag 100 by the closure means 150. According to an alternative embodiment, the second step is first carried out, followed by the first step. The pocket 100 is preferably provided with a first opening 110. The first opening 110 is preferably positioned on a first edge 101 of the pocket 100. The first opening 110 is configured so as to be sufficiently wide to allow the insertion of part of a body. A third step comprises a step of actuating the opening means 175 of the access zone 120 to the interior volume of the pocket 100 so as to recover the part of the human or animal body.

The access zone 120 is advantageously positioned on the second edge 102 (said second edge 102 preferably representing the bottom of the pocket 100), opposite the first edge (said first edge 101 preferably representing the top of the pocket 100) . Particularly advantageously, the access zone 120 has not been in contact with an external element; said access zone 120 consequently comprises little external contamination in comparison with the first opening 110 positioned on the first edge 101 having for its part possibly been in contact with external contamination during the setting up of the part 10 of the body in the pocket from said first opening 110. According to one embodiment, the step of actuating the opening means 175 comprises a force on said opening means 175 so as to cause a localized rupture of the first and second portion of the bag 100. Advantageously, the access zone 120 after the step of actuating the opening means 175 extends from the third edge 103 to the fourth edge 104. In a particularly advantageous manner the actuation step makes it possible to recover the part of the human or animal body. According to a preferred embodiment, prior to the actuation of the opening means 175, the packaging is returned so as to maintain it by the second edge 102, or by the bottom of the pocket 100. opening 175 so as to access the inner volume of the bag 100. The package is then returned to recover the body part safely and avoiding any external contamination of the latter. Particularly advantageously, the opening means 175 of the pocket 100 is positioned so that its actuation does not cause the opening of the receptacle 200. Advantageously, the opening means 175 is positioned between the second edge 102. of the pocket 100 and the second edge 202 of the receptacle 200. The receptacle 200 comprising the refrigerating element 500 and the pocket 100 comprising the part of the body to be grafted are configured so as to avoid any direct contact between the limb to be kept cool. and the refrigerant element 500.

Insofar as the refrigerating element 500 positioned in the receptacle 200 is separated from the part of the body positioned in the bag 100, the heat exchange is done through at least one of the sides of the bag 100. a particularly advantageous embodiment, the receptacle 200 comprising the refrigerating element 500 surrounds the bag 100 so as to ensure a permanent contact between said refrigerant element 500 and said pan of the bag 100, so as to obtain a good heat exchange between said refrigerant element 500 and the part of the human or animal body, positioned in the pocket 100 and intended to be grafted.

The packaging is, before use, advantageously in a flat form. It is then easy to stack a plurality of packages for storage or transport, which greatly reduces the size prior to their use, compared with ordinary boxes. In a particularly advantageous manner, the packaging forms a monolithic piece. By way of preference, the packaging according to the present invention is disposable.

The present invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments but extends to any embodiment covered by the claims.

Claims (16)

REVENDICATIONS1. A package for transporting a portion of a human or animal body including a pocket (100) defining an interior receiving volume of the body portion and having a first opening (110) positioned on a first edge of the pocket (100), and a receptacle (200) adapted to receive at least one cooling element, characterized in that said pocket (100) is integral with said receptacle (200), said pocket (100) and said receptacle (200) being formed into flexible material. 2. Packaging according to the preceding claim wherein the first opening (110) of the bag (100) comprises a closure means (150) configured to make the internal volume of said bag (100) tight liquid and gas. 3. Packaging according to the preceding claim wherein the pocket (100) comprises a first face (111) facing the inner volume and a second face (112), opposite the first face (101), in contact with the receptacle (200). ). The package of any preceding claim wherein the pocket (100) includes an access area (120) at the interior volume positioned on a second edge opposite the first edge. 5. Packaging according to the preceding claim wherein the access zone (120) to the interior volume is obstructed by default. 6. Packaging according to any one of the two preceding claims wherein the access zone (120) to the interior volume comprises means (175) for opening said access zone (120). 7. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bag (100) comprises at least two panels assembled on aportion of their periphery by a sealing line to define the interior volume and the first opening (110). 8. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacle (200) comprises at least one panel; said panel being secured to the pocket (100) by at least one sealing line extending partially around the periphery of said panel so as to define an access opening (250). 9. Packaging according to claims 7 and 8 wherein the receptacle comprises an inner panel and an outer panel; the inner panel being integral with a pan among the assembled sections of the pocket (100). 10. Packaging according to one of claims 7 to 9 comprising a second receptacle; the first receptacle (200) being integral with a first section of the pocket (100) and the second receptacle (200) being integral with a second section of the pocket (100) so that said first and second receptacles (200) are positioned on either side of the pocket (100). 11. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacle (200) comprises a closure means (250) of the access opening adapted to maintain at least one cooling element in said receptacle (200). 20 12. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacle (200) comprises a plurality of compartments, each adapted to receive at least one refrigerant element. 13. Packaging according to the preceding claim wherein the pocket (100) is of polymeric material. 25 14. System comprising the package according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one refrigerant element (500) in the receptacle (200). 15. A method of using the system according to the preceding claim comprising the following steps: - Placement of at least one refrigerant element (500) in the receptacle (200); - Placing part of the human or animal body in the pocket (100); - Closing the first opening (110) of the pocket (100) by the closure means (150). 16. A method of using the system according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 6 comprising a step of actuating the opening means (175) of the access zone (120) to the interior volume of the pocket (100). ) so as to recover the part of the human or animal body.