An Insulated Test Tube Holder for Assisted Reproductive Procedures Transferred for RMB 60,000
Image source: Official website of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University
Recently, a project titled"A Constant-Temperature Test Tube Rack with Thermal Insulation During Test Tube Retrieval"the completion of the assignment of the utility model patent, proposed toRMB 60,000Transferred to Hefei Youbanfa Medical Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors (7): Wang Jieyu, Luo Guiying, Chen Chang'e, Wang Yinshuang, Pang Jingjing, Wu Xuanye, Cheng Jingxian。
This patent addresses common issues in the process of assisted reproduction:How is temperature maintained after oocyte retrieval?
During the oocyte retrieval process in IVF, after nurses collect follicular fluid into test tubes, the tubes are typically exposed to room temperature. The issue lies inOocytes are extremely sensitive to temperature.—A rapid drop in temperature after ex vivo extraction directly affects viability, thereby reducing the success rate of fertilization.
Current solutions fall into two extremes:
Either the samples are not kept warm, with nurses holding test tubes bare-handed, leading to continuous heat loss during the procedure; or static containers such as thermoses or insulated bags are used, which can maintain temperature but cannot be held by hand—making them impractical, as nurses need to hold the test tubes while performing procedures during oocyte retrieval.
Another latent issue is the standardization of operations.Nurses vary in hand temperature, tube-holding posture, and handling duration, leading to individual-specific temperature fluctuations that make it difficult to ensure consistent processing conditions for each batch of oocytes.
Anhui Medical University’s approach is not overly complex, but its design is highly practical.
The core is a double-layer sealed insulated sleeve.The space between the inner and outer walls of the cannula is filled with a heat-conducting liquid. Prior to use, the cannula can be placed in an incubator along with the test tube for preheating, allowing the liquid to stabilize at 37°C. During oocyte retrieval, the nurse holds the cannula, and the heat-conducting liquid continuously maintains the temperature of the follicular fluid in the test tube, significantly reducing the rate of heat loss after removal from the incubator.
The clamping mechanism addresses the issue of "secure gripping."The top of the cannula features a set of elastic clamping plates, integrated with a compression spring and a movable pin design. When inserting a test tube, pull the movable pin to open the clamping plates; upon release, the compression spring automatically secures the tube. This design offers the advantages of preventing the test tube from slipping during handling while accommodating test tubes of various specifications.
The overall structure is modular.The holder can accommodate multiple cannulas simultaneously to meet batch operation requirements, while allowing individual retrieval for handheld use. It integrates directly into existing workflows without requiring modification of current equipment.
This is the most thought-provoking aspect of the deal.
A transfer price of RMB 60,000 is considered “entry-level” in the patent transfer market. A utility model patent (rather than an invention patent), seven inventors (possibly involving a team of clinical nurses), and a technical solution primarily focused on structural improvements—all point to the same conclusion:The core value of this patent lies not in its technological barriers, but in its precise entry into clinical scenarios.
From an industrialization perspective, the regulatory barrier for products such as constant-temperature test tube racks is not high; they are classified as Class II medical devices, with a relatively controllable approval cycle. If the buyer has established hospital channels, the market entry process can be accelerated.
Is this invention worth following?Several Directions for Further Exploration.
Has it been clinically validated?Among the seven inventors, how many are nurses or physicians who actually participated in oocyte retrieval procedures? Has this device been tested in actual surgical workflows, and is it user-friendly? These are the key factors in determining its feasibility for clinical implementation.
Are there any subsequent patents?The barriers associated with utility model patents are relatively limited; whether follow-on invention patents or methodological patents are secured will determine the long-term value of this technology transfer.
What is the market size?The volume of oocyte retrieval procedures in assisted reproductive technology is growing, but whether constant-temperature test tube racks represent new or replacement demand depends on their clinical adoption.