Assembly for storing and transporting tissue samples immersed in a fluid

ASSEMBLY FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING TISSUE SAMPLES IMMERSED IN A FLUID An assembly for storing and transporting biological samples (005, 101) immersed in a fixative solution (003), the assembly comprising: a cap (500) comprising a first chamber (002) prefilled with a volume of a fixative solution (003); a sample container comprising a second chamber (001) for holding the biological sample (005, 101); a valve (009, 140) situated between the first chamber (002) and the second chamber (001) and adapted to switch between a closed configuration (009a) and an open configuration (009b), wherein: when the valve (009, 140) is in the open configuration (009b), at least one channel (010, 137) is formed between the first chamber (002) and the second chamber (001) permitting the fixative solution (003) to flow from the first chamber (002) to the second chamber (001), and allow air to be vented in exchange; when the valve (009, 140) is in the closed configuration (009a), the valve (009, 140) creates a barrier between the first chamber (002) and the second chamber (001) that prevents flow of the fixative solution (003) from the second chamber (001) to the first chamber (002); the valve (009, 140) is configured to switch from the closed configuration (009a) to the open configuration (009b) upon application of a first force; and the valve (009, 140) is configured to default back to the closed configuration (009a) upon removal of the first force; an actuator (014) moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein: movement of the actuator (014) from the disengaged position to the engaged position requires application of a second force (017) on the actuator (014) by an operator; movement of the actuator (014) from the disengaged position to the engaged position applies the first force to the valve (009, 140); and removal of the second force from the actuator (014) releases the first force from the valve (009, 140); wherein: the valve (009, 140) comprises a material having an inherent resiliency, wherein the material having inherent resiliency forms at least a portion of the barrier between the first chamber (002) and the second chamber (001) in the closed position; the first force deforms the resilient material in a manner that creates the channel (010, 137) of the open configuration (009b); and the inherent resiliency of the material automatically returns the valve (009, 140) to the closed configuration (009a) when the first force is removed.