Environmental Control Sleeve for Portable Drug Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug storage and delivery devices are large, require regular power supply, and lack efficient control over environmental conditions such as temperature, which can degrade drugs and render them ineffective or harmful if exposed to extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A handheld, portable environmental control sleeve (ECS) that uses a combination of thermal insulation, a power source, and an environmental control mechanism (ECM) to maintain specific environmental conditions for drugs within a drug delivery or storage device, allowing for long-term storage and short-term use with minimal power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mini-refrigerators or cooling packs are used to maintain drugs under controlled temperature conditions, then drug stability is improved, but device size and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drug delivery system into two functional parts: the injection device itself and a separate environmental control sleeve. The sleeve contains the thermal insulation and power components, allowing the injection device to remain compact while the control functions are provided by an attachable accessory that can be removed when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The environmental control sleeve is designed to fit over the existing injection device, with the sleeve containing the thermal insulation layer and power source that envelop the injection device. This nested configuration allows the control functions to be integrated without significantly increasing the overall footprint of the injection system.
2Reliability
If mini-refrigerators are used to control environmental conditions, then drug potency is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic temperature sensing and control activation rather than continuous operation. The microprocessor periodically reads temperature data from the sensor and only activates the heating or cooling elements when temperature thresholds are exceeded, significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic temperature monitoring and control activation without requiring user intervention. The microprocessor continuously monitors temperature and autonomously activates the appropriate heating or cooling elements when needed, eliminating the need for manual refrigerator operation while minimizing energy use.
3Reliability
If environmental control mechanisms are added to injection devices, then drug efficacy is protected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The environmental control sleeve is designed to be compatible with multiple types of injection devices. The universal design allows the same sleeve with its temperature control system to protect different injection devices, reducing overall system complexity by using a standardized control component rather than device-specific control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor serves as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the heating/cooling elements. It processes temperature data and controls the power delivery to thermal elements, simplifying the control architecture by using a single intelligent control unit rather than complex direct control circuits.
4Reliability
If thermal insulation and power sources are integrated into the storage device, then temperature control is improved, but portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions between different operational states: during storage, the sleeve remains attached providing active temperature control; during injection, the sleeve is removed allowing easy handling of the injection device. This dynamic configuration allows the system to optimize for temperature control when needed and for portability when the control function is not required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the maintenance of drug efficacy by controlling temperature and other environmental conditions within a small volume, extending storage duration while reducing power requirements, and allowing for efficient switching between storage and use states.
Implementation Method 1
The substance chamber (106) may be surrounded by a layer of thermal insulation (200)
Implementation Method 2
The layer of phase change material (260) may be arranged within the layer of thermal insulation (200)
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems, and methods for controlling environmental conditions for a volume of material. In some embodiments, a handheld, portable environmental control sleeve (ECS) is disclosed which is configured for controlling at least one environmental condition of a drug contained within a drug delivery or storage device (DDSD). The ECS includes an environmental control mechanism (ECM), thermal insulation material, at least one of a power source, a processor, at least one electrical contact, at least one indicator, at least one switch, at least one environmental condition sensor, a wireless transceiver, a phase change material and at least one heat dissipater. Upon the ECS receiving at least a portion of the DDSD, the at least one environmental condition of a drug contained within the DDSD is controlled by the ECM to be within a predetermined range.