Glucose Meter Thermal Container with Thermostat Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld glucose meters become inoperable in cold temperatures due to falling below their desired operating range during storage and transport, especially in northern climates, leading to inaccuracies and rendering them unusable at patient locations.
Innovation Solution
A container with a base and cover member, an insert for the glucose meter, and a heating element activated by a thermostat to maintain the meter at a desired temperature, using an energy source and temperature sensor to ensure the meter operates within a suitable range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a glucose meter is used in cold environments (below 15°C), then the response time and accessibility to patient measurements is improved, but the temperature drops below the desired operating range causing inoperability and inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is activated before the glucose meter is needed to pre-warm the container interior to the desired operating temperature range (15-40°C). This preliminary heating ensures that when the meter is placed in the container for transport to the patient, the temperature is already maintained within operational limits, preventing inoperability due to cold exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary thermal environment between the cold external environment and the glucose meter. The heating element and thermostat system within the container create a controlled thermal buffer zone, isolating the meter from direct exposure to cold temperatures during transport while maintaining its operability.
2Reliability
If a heating element is added to maintain temperature, then the glucose meter reliability in cold environments is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat is configured to automatically detect when the interior temperature falls below the desired operating range and autonomously activates the heating element. When the temperature reaches the target range, the thermostat automatically deactivates the heater. This self-regulating system maintains meter operability without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors and maintains a critical parameter (temperature) within a specific range (15-40°C) by dynamically adjusting the heating element's operation. The thermostat changes the operational state of the heating element based on temperature feedback, ensuring the meter remains within its operational temperature window without requiring complex control systems.
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
The container effectively maintains the glucose meter above a low temperature threshold during storage and transport, ensuring accurate readings and preventing device inoperability in cold environments.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element is disposed within the opening. A thermostat is arranged in thermal communication with the opening and electrically coupled to the heating element, wherein the thermostat is configured to flow electrical power to the heating element when a temperature within the interior volume is below a threshold.
Implementation Method 2
A thermostat is arranged in thermal communication with the opening and electrically coupled to the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A container for a medical device such as a glucose meter is provided. The container includes a base member having a plurality of sides defining an interior volume. A cover member is operably coupled to the base member and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cover member encloses the interior volume when in the second position. An insert is disposed within the interior volume, the insert having an opening sized to receive the glucose meter. A heating element is disposed within the opening. A thermostat is in thermal communication with the opening and electrically coupled to the heating element, wherein the thermostat is configured to flow electrical power to the heating element when a temperature within the interior volume is below a threshold.