Biological Specimen Collection and Storage Devices

Abstract

A biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for storing the biological sample and an indicator affixed to the container for displaying at least one measured characteristics of the container or sample, wherein measurement of the characteristic is commenced by activation of the indicator. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for collecting a biological sample and a label affixed to the container, wherein information relating to the biological sample or container is situated on the label and at least a portion of said information is situated on a face of the label that is affixed to the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A label capable of being affixed to a container for collecting a biological sample, the label comprising:
 a first side; and   an opposing second side, the label affixable to the container by the first side,   wherein information relating to the biological sample or the container is situated on the label and at least a portion of the information is situated on the first side.   
     
     
         2 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the information includes a fill range indicator. 
     
     
         3 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the information includes a low fill indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the information includes a high fill indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the information includes a hemolysis indicator. 
     
     
         6 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the second side includes additional information. 
     
     
         7 . The label of  claim 6 , wherein the additional information includes a time indicator. 
     
     
         8 . The label of  claim 6 , wherein the additional information includes a temperature indicator. 
     
     
         9 . The label of  claim 6 , wherein the additional information includes a hemolysis indicator. 
     
     
         10 . The label of  claim 6 , wherein the additional information comprises machine readable information. 
     
     
         11 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the first side includes a fixative. 
     
     
         12 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the first side is opposite the second side. 
     
     
         13 . A biological sample containment system, comprising:
 a container for containing a biological sample; and   a label capable of being affixed to the container, the label comprising:
 a first side; and 
 an opposing second side, the label affixable to the container by the first side, 
 wherein information relating to the biological sample or the container is situated on the label and at least a portion of the information is situated on the first side. 
   
     
     
         14 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the container is transparent. 
     
     
         15 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 13 , wherein the information includes a fill range indicator. 
     
     
         16 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 13 , wherein the information includes a low fill indicator. 
     
     
         17 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 13 , wherein the information includes a high fill indicator. 
     
     
         18 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 13 , wherein the information includes a hemolysis indicator. 
     
     
         19 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 13 , wherein the second side includes additional information. 
     
     
         20 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 19 , wherein the additional information includes a time indicator. 
     
     
         21 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 19 , wherein the additional information includes a temperature indicator. 
     
     
         22 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 19 , wherein the additional information includes a hemolysis indicator. 
     
     
         23 . The biological sample containment system of  claim 19 , wherein the additional information comprises machine readable information.