Field and laboratory tested Biological and Chemical modular sampling, transport and storage kits.

Many sampling strategies during biological or chemical incidents require custom-made solutions, which can become quite expensive when scaling up during epidemics or environmental disasters. As a result, innovative and practical solutions regarding sampling equipment and transport strategies often emerge. However, these should be well designed and tested, before successful implementation and subsequent laboratory analyses can be achieved.

In this project I modified a (by myself) designed custom-made sampling kit for the collection of (highly pathogenic) biological and (hazardous environmental) chemical materials. The first version of this sampling kit is already field tested by me and co-workers of the CBRN response unit of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM, 2021), during exercises and real incidents. For a short movie of field and laboratory testing, follow the movie link. Explanation and images of the extension of this design continues after movie link.

The modular sampling, transport & storage kit was developed using the ‘Not for commercial use’ free version of Autodesk Fusion 360. The components were sliced in CURA and printed on an Ultimaker S5.

The kit consists of various modular components, which can be combined into various modules. Each module consists of a single stand and equipment holder, which can hold a single or combination of various sampling materials: 50 ml Falcon/Greiner tubes, swabs, 9 ml EDTA/full blood tubes & accompanying sampling equipment. 

The modular components were designed in a way that easy access during sampling, and subsequent safe storage after sampling, is achieved by using a commercially available container from Hotzone solutions (kit-C). This container can be opened, for instance after decontamination procedures, in a safe laboratory setting where samples can be easily accessed for subsequent analyses.

Module 1: combination of sampling materials 

Stand and equipment holder (black), which can hold a limited number sampling equipment: four swabs, two 9 ml EDTA/full blood tubes (accompanied by sampling and tubing material), and a single 50 ml Falcon/Greiner tube (Figure 1). This module can be used for sampling, transport, and storage and was field tested by RIVM’s CBRN Hazmat teams (sampling & transport) and mobile laboratory teams (analyses), during a number of CBRN exercises and real incidents (Figure 2 and movie link).

Figure 1. Stand and tube holder for a combination of sampling equipment.

Figure 2. Module 1 with accompanying Hozone solution kit-C container.

Files: 

1. Combination_stand.stl
2. Combination_equipment_holder.stl
3. Combination_holder_text.stl

Module 2: sampling, transport & storage for four 9ml EDTA/Full blood tubes

Stand and equipment holder (black, Figure 2) for four EDTA/full blood tubes with accompanying sampling tubing. This kit can be used for sampling, storage and transport of a limited number of EDTA/full blood tubes.

Figure 2 Stand and tube holder (black) for four 9 ml EDTA/full blood tubes and tubing for sampling.

Files: 

1. Stand_9ml_blood_tubes.stl
2. Holder_sampling_9ml_blood_tubes.stl
3. Holder_sampling_9ml_blood_tubes_text.stl

Module 3: transport and storage for ten 9 ml EDTA/Full blood tubes

Stand (red) and equipment holder (black, Figure 3) for transport and storage of ten 9 ml EDTA/full blood tubes. Additional sampling materials (e.g. tubing) needs to be stored elsewhere, or can be found in module 1 or module 2.

Figure 3 Stand (red) and tube holder (black) for ten 9 ml EDTA/full blood tubes.

Files: 

1. Stand_9ml_blood_tubes.stl
2. Holder_storage_9ml_blood_tubes.stl
3. Holder_storage_9ml_blood_tubes_text.stl

Module 4: Transport and storage for ten sterile swabs

Stand (white) and equipment holder (black, figure 4) for ten sterile swabs. The holder (black) has a similar design as found in kit 3. The stand (white) is designed slightly different to accomodate a better fit for the bottom of the swabs.

Figure 4 Stand (white) and tube holder (black) for ten sterile swabs.

Files: 

1. Stand_swabs.stl
2. Holder_swabs.stl
3. Holder_swabs_text.stl

Module 5: Transport and storage for seven conical or flat-bottomed 50 ml tubes

This kit consists of 2 different stands, in which seven sterile 50 ml Falcon/Greiner tubes can be transported and stored. The tube holders (black) are similar, but the stands (blue) were designed slightly different for a better fit of conical (5a) or flat-bottomed 50 ml tubes (5b).

5a: stand and Tube holder for seven conical 50 ml Falcon/Greiner tubes 

5b: stand and Tube holder for seven flat-bottomed 50 ml Falcon/Greiner tubes 

Files: 

1. Stand_50ml_Greiner_tubes_flat_bottom.stl
2. Stand_50ml_Greiner_tubes_conical_bottom.stl
3. Holder_50ml_Greiner_tubes.stl

Model aspects

The current models have a total diameter of 118 mm and a maximum height of 100 mm. The models fit well within the container of the commercially available kit-C from Hotzone solutions. When this container is turned upside down, the tubes and tubing remain in their subsequent holders and do not fall out.

Dimensions of the model are specified in the CAD drawing below. Here, various dimensions can be found regarding holes for 50 ml Greiner/Falcon tubes, swabs, EDTA/full blood tubes, and accompanying tubing (Figure 6). 

Figure 6. CAD drawing of module 1, with dimensions of holes for all sampling equipment mentioned in the various designs.

HAPPY PRINTING!