Patent ID: 9585381
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: A01N,G01N

Claim:
1. An ex vivo or in vitro method for ex vivo or in vitro keeping alive and for transporting a natural skin fragment or biopsy, said skin fragment or biopsy having been previously obtained from a mammalian, said method comprising the following steps: fixing a ring made of a water-repellent material to the epidermal surface of the natural skin fragment or biopsy, wherein the outer diameter of the ring is greater than the diameter of the epidermal surface of the natural skin fragment or biopsy, and wherein the inner diameter of the ring is smaller than the diameter of the epidermal surface of the natural skin fragment or biopsy; after the fixing the ring, laying said natural skin fragment or biopsy in a liquid matrix so that the superficial part of said fragment or biopsy corresponding to the whole epidermis remains above the surface of the liquid matrix such that the dermis underlying the epidermis is completely immersed wherein, said liquid matrix is contained in an insert having a bottom made of a porous membrane, and the insert is disposed in a container or well; and solidifying said matrix to trap the immersed portion of said skin fragment or biopsy in said solidified matrix and to cause the solidified matrix to adhere to the lateral walls of the insert and to said porous membrane, wherein the epidermal superficial part of the biopsy remaining above the liquid matrix surface is in contact with the atmospheric air or under a controlled atmosphere partially comprising air.