In the critical field of biological specimen transportation, "selecting the correct packaging" serves as the primary line of defense to ensure sample integrity and regulatory compliance. Different scenarios present unique challenges: hospitals fear "wasting space with large bags, or insufficient space with small ones" for blood samples; clinical research demands stringent separation to prevent "cross-contamination" among multiple specimens; and international shipping risks "non-compliance detentions by customs."

 

To address the core needs of these diverse applications, AIC's specialized transport bag series, including the ai650, L300420, and APS4X320, are each strategically designed. This article will provide a precise needs-matching solution through a "Scenario-Based Selection Guide + Parameter Comparison + Customization Options," helping you accurately select models and avoid common pitfalls.

 

Scenario-Based Selection: Prioritize Transport Needs,Then Match the Model

 

1. Hospitals / Health Check Centers: Short-Haul Blood/Urine Specimen Transport — Prioritize "Small Size + High Transparency"

Core Needs: Small sample volume per trip (typically 1-2 test tubes), short transport distance (inter-departmental or intra-city), and the need for rapid specimen information verification (to avoid repeated opening of the package).

 

Recommended Model: 6x9 inch 95kPa Blood Specimen Transport Bag (A standard variant of the ai650 Series)

 

Why Choose This?

 

Optimal Size: The 6x9 inch (approx. 15 cm×23 cm) size perfectly accommodates 1-2 standard 5−10 ml blood collection tubes. The compact bag is lightweight, easily carried by medical staff, or fits into a care kit, preventing "oversized packaging" which can lead to sample agitation.

 

Material Advantage: Made from high-clarity Polyethylene (PE) material, it allows for visual verification of patient information and specimen ID on the tube label without opening the package, reducing the frequency of openings and minimizing contamination risks.

 

Basic Protection: Compliant with UN3373 and PI650 standards, its 95kPa pressure resistance handles common intra-city transit jolts (e.g., ambulance braking, elevator movement). Paired with a thin integrated absorbent layer, it can contain small amounts of condensation or minor accidental fluid leaks.

 

2.Clinical Research Institutions: Multi-Specimen / Multi-Site Transfer — Essential: "Compartmentalized Absorbent Bags"

Core Needs: Transportation of multiple specimens in a single shipment (e.g., 4-7 blood/CSF samples from different subjects), the requirement for strict segregation to prevent cross-contamination, and a robust defense against "leakage in the event of sample damage."

 

Recommended Model: APS4X320 4/7 Compartment Absorbent Bag (Used in conjunction with the ai650 Outer Packaging Bag)

 

 

Why Choose This?

 

Physical Segregation: The bag features 4 or 7 independent retention slots (card slots), each securing 1 test tube or small vial. This complete separation prevents tube collision during transport, thus avoiding label abrasion and specimen mixing.

 

Superior Absorption: The absorbent layer within the slots utilizes Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP), capable of absorbing up to 50 ml of liquid per slot (equivalent to the full volume of a standard test tube). Should a primary receptacle break due to impact, the leaked fluid is instantly immobilized, preventing wicking to other slots or the outer bag.

 

Broad Compatibility: It accommodates not only standard blood collection tubes but also 15 ml centrifuge tubes and 20 ml reagent vials, making it ideal for clinical studies requiring the "transfer of multiple specimen types in one batch."

 

3. International Biopharma / Cross-Border Labs: Long-Haul Air / Sea Freight — Essential: "Fully Compliant ai650 Series"

 

Core Needs: Passing UN3373 compliance checks by customs in regions like Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia; withstanding pressure changes during long-haul transport (e.g., high-altitude low-pressure environments in air freight); and ensuring long-term preservation of specimen labels and documentation.

 

Recommended Model: ai650 95kPa Certified Model (Can be paired with a separate Document Pouch)

 

 

Why Choose This?

 

Full Compliance: The bag is pre-printed with the UN3373 Biohazard Mark and the 95kPa Pressure Certification Seal. It comes with a manufacturer's Certificate of Compliance (ready for submission to customs). This simplifies adherence to international regulations such as the IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) and US DOT rules, preventing delays or detentions due to "incomplete labeling."

 

Pressure and Stress Resistance: Subjected to simulated air transport pressure tests (repeated pressurization from −50 kPa to 95 kPa), the bag demonstrated no rupture or leakage. It is built to withstand the rigorous conditions of long-haul transportation, from China to Europe (approx. 12 hours air freight) or China to Southeast Asia (approx. 3 days sea freight).

 

Document Protection: Features a separate external document pouch for insertion of the specimen manifest, customs declaration forms, and test reports. This ensures the documentation is completely isolated from the specimens (preventing liquid contamination of documents) and the pouch uses waterproof material, protecting the paperwork even if the outer package encounters rain.

 

3 Steps to Quickly Identify the "Optimal Solution

 

Define the Scenario: First, clarify the nature of the transport: "Short-haul / Long-haul," "Single Specimen / Multiple Specimens," and "Standard / Special Environment" (e.g., cryogenic, radiation).

 

Match Parameters: Compare the scenario against the "Parameter Comparison Table," prioritizing "Regulatory Certification" and "Size" (e.g., international transport must check UN3373, multi-specimen transport must check the compartmentalized design).

 

Inquire About Customization: If standard models are insufficient (e.g., for extra-low temperature or large volume), directly contact the customization service to avoid using standard bags that introduce risk.

 

If you are still uncertain about the selection process, please contact the AIC Technical Team at www.aicbiologicalbag.com. Provide your specimen type and transportation details, and we will offer a complimentary "Selection Recommendation Report." You may also request free samples for testing, ensuring an accurate and risk-free choice.

From -80℃ Freezing to 60℃ Heat: Which Transport Bag to Choose for Different Biological Samples? (With Advance Selection Guide)​

 

Last week, we received an urgent inquiry from a research institute client: "Nearly a third of our transported blood samples suffered from hemolysis when they reached the lab, costing us half a month of experimental data!" Upon investigation, the issue traced back to the choice of transport bag—they had used ordinary PE bags, which could neither resist temperature fluctuations during transit nor provide anti-hemolysis protection.​

 

In biological sample transportation, "choosing the right bag" matters more than "choosing an expensive one." Different samples (blood, tissues, viral reagents) have entirely different temperature tolerances and biological characteristics, meaning their corresponding transport bags also vary significantly in material, layer count, and protective design. Today, we’ll share a practical selection guide using Advance’s core products (AI650 Bag, Lab Absorbent Pouches) to help you avoid sample loss.

 

I. Blood Samples: Anti-Hemolysis Is Critical—Ordinary PE Bags Are a No-Go!​

 

1. The "Temperature Dead Zone" for Blood Samples​

 

Blood samples (whole blood, serum, plasma) are extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations:​

 

• During refrigerated storage (2-8℃), temperatures exceeding 10℃ accelerate red blood cell rupture; temperatures below 0℃ cause freezing, and ice crystals pierce cell membranes, directly leading to hemolysis.​

 

• Even for short-distance transport (4-6 hours), the temperature fluctuation range must not exceed ±2℃—otherwise, it will affect subsequent blood routine and biochemical test results.​

A previous client used ordinary PE bags to transport whole blood; a brief cold chain failure in the truck (temperature rose to 12℃) resulted in hemolysis of all 20 samples, causing tens of thousands of yuan in experimental losses.

2. Mandatory Material and Packaging Requirements​

 

• Preferred Material: Five-Layer Co-Extruded Film (Core Material of AI650 Bag)​

 

Ordinary PE bags have flaws: thin thickness (only 0.08mm), poor airtightness, easy oxygen permeation during temperature fluctuations, and potential leaching of trace additives that contaminate samples.​

In contrast, Advance’s AI650 Bag uses a five-layer co-extruded film (LDPE/Tie/EVOH/Tie/ULDPE). The inner layer is medical-grade ULDPE with a leaching rate of less than 0.01%, avoiding reactions with proteins in blood. The middle EVOH layer has an oxygen transmission rate of only 0.3cc/(m²·24h)—90% lower than ordinary PE bags—locking in a stable internal environment and fundamentally reducing hemolysis risks.​

 

For even better results, pair it with Advance’s Lab Absorbent Pouches. This absorbent bag quickly soaks up blood that may accidentally leak due to seal issues (water absorption capacity up to 15x its own weight), preventing cross-contamination of samples while keeping the bag interior dry to further minimize temperature-induced impacts on blood.​

 

• Packaging Layers: At Least Double Layers; "AI650 Bag + Outer Cushion Bag" 

 

Single-layer transport bags cannot withstand extrusion or vibration during transit. We recommend a double-layer structure: "inner AI650 Bag (for samples) + outer cushion bag (filled with bubble wrap)." In our tests, when whole blood-filled AI650 Bags were placed in cushion bags, the sample hemolysis rate was only 0.5% after a 1.2-meter drop test—far below the industry average of 3%.

 

3. Advance’s Test Data for Assurance​

 

• 72-hour refrigerated transport at 2-8℃: Temperature fluctuation inside the AI650 Bag ≤ ±1℃, sample hemolysis rate < 1%.​
• Accidental temperature rise to 30℃ (sustained for 2 hours): Thanks to the EVOH layer’s barrier, the internal temperature only rose to 12℃, not triggering the hemolysis threshold.

 

II. Tissue Samples: Low-Temperature Resistance + Puncture Protection—Even for -80℃ Freezing!​

 

1. The "Preservation Challenge" for Tissue Samples​

 

Tissue samples (e.g., tumor tissues, animal organs) typically require -80℃ freezing for preservation. During transport, it is necessary to maintain low temperatures and prevent sharp tissue edges from puncturing the bag. A client once used ordinary freezer bags to transport tumor tissues; the bag was pierced by tissue edges, and the sample deteriorated rapidly after exposure to air, forcing the experiment to be redone.​

 

2. "Dual Protection" for Materials and Packaging​

 

• Low-Temperature Resistant Material: AI650 Bag’s -196℃ Ultra-Low Temperature Tolerance​

 

Ordinary freezer bags become brittle at -80℃ and crack easily when folded. However, the five-layer co-extruded film of Advance’s AI650 Bag undergoes low-temperature toughness treatment, remaining flexible even at -196℃ (liquid nitrogen temperature) with unchanged sealing performance after repeated folding.​

 

For tissue samples that may leak bodily fluids, pairing with Lab Absorbent Pouches creates "dual protection": the absorbent bag soaks up leaked fluids, preventing them from freezing and puncturing the transport bag. Our clients report that this combination reduces tissue sample transport loss rates from 8% to below 1%.​

 

• Packaging Layers: Three-Layer Protection for Extreme Transport Conditions​

 

A three-layer structure is recommended: "inner AI650 Bag (for tissue samples) + middle Lab Absorbent Pouches (absorbent protection) + outer rigid carton (anti-extrusion)." Especially for frozen tissue transport, dry ice can be placed inside the carton. The AI650 Bag’s low-temperature resistance ensures samples are not damaged by freezing, while the outer carton prevents deformation caused by dry ice sublimation.​

 

3. Advance’s Test Data for Assurance​

 

After 72 hours of freezing at -80℃: The AI650 Bag maintains a 99.8% sealing rate. When the bag is opened, the tissue sample remains intact in shape with no freezing damage or deterioration.​

Puncture resistance test: Pressing a sharp tissue edge (5mm diameter) against the AI650 Bag (50N pressure) for 10 minutes resulted in no damage or leakage.

 

III. Viral Reagents: Biosafety First, with Temperature Stability as a Priority​

 

1. "Dual Risks" of Viral Reagents​

 

Viral reagents (e.g., COVID-19, influenza virus samples) are not only temperature-sensitive (most require -20℃ freezing or 2-8℃ refrigeration) but also pose biosafety risks. If the transport bag is damaged, viral leakage could trigger public safety issues. Thus, compliance with UN Class 6.2 Dangerous Goods Transport Standards is mandatory.​

 

2. "Compliant Design" for Materials and Packaging​

 

• Compliant Material: AI650 Bag Certified by IATA DGR​

 

Ordinary transport bags cannot meet the sealing requirements for dangerous goods transport. However, Advance’s AI650 Bag has passed the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Edition 63 certification. Its double-seal design achieves 0 leakage, fully complying with biosafety transport standards for viral reagents.​

 

Meanwhile, the absorbent layer of Lab Absorbent Pouches undergoes antibacterial treatment. Even if viral reagents accidentally leak, the antibacterial components in the absorbent bag inhibit viral activity and reduce spread risks—critical for cross-border transport (e.g., meeting EU IVDR regulatory biosafety requirements for exports).​

 

• Packaging Layers: Designed by Hazard Level, At Least Three Layers​

 

Packaging layers should be adjusted based on the risk level of viral reagents:​

Low-risk viruses (e.g., ordinary influenza viruses): "AI650 Bag + Lab Absorbent Pouches + outer waterproof bag."​

High-risk viruses (e.g., COVID-19): Add an outer rigid carton with biohazard labels to the above structure. The carton must pass a 1.2-meter multi-directional drop test (Advance’s custom cartons meet this requirement).​

 

3. Advance’s Test Data for Assurance​

 

96-hour refrigerated transport at 2-8℃: The activity retention rate of viral reagents inside the AI650 Bag reaches 95%—far higher than the industry average of 85%.​

 

Biosafety test: Simulating a transport bag damage scenario, Lab Absorbent Pouches absorb all leaked reagents within 30 seconds, with an antibacterial rate of 99% and no viral spread risks.

 

 

 

Is Your Sample Transport Still "Trial and Error"?​

 

If your team is struggling with blood sample hemolysis, tissue sample freezing damage, or compliant transport of viral reagents, click here to visit www.aicbiologicalbag.com. Get a custom selection plan from Advance—we’ll recommend the most suitable AI650 Bag combination based on your sample type, transport distance, and temperature requirements. You can also request free samples for testing, ensuring "zero loss" in biological sample transport!