Medication Cooler Monitoring for Temperature Excursion Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical storage devices fail to consistently maintain temperature-sensitive medications within precise temperature ranges during storage and transport, risking spoilage and ineffective administration.
Innovation Solution
A temperature monitoring system integrated into a portable cooling device with processor-driven circuitry for maintaining and recording temperature, issuing alerts when deviations occur, and capable of operating standalone or within a conventional refrigerator, ensuring medications remain within a preset temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional refrigeration storage is used for temperature-sensitive medications, then medications can be stored at required temperatures, but there is no monitoring or alert system to ensure continuous temperature compliance during storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a temperature monitoring system with sensors that continuously measure temperature and provide feedback to a control processor. When temperature deviations are detected, the system generates alerts and notifications to inform users of non-compliance conditions, enabling real-time temperature compliance management during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system between the medication and the environment. This includes temperature sensors, data loggers, and communication modules that act as mediators to detect, record, and report temperature conditions, providing information about temperature compliance without directly affecting the medication storage conditions.
2Reliability
If portable cooling devices are used for transporting medications, then temperature control during transport is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a portable cooling device that integrates multiple functions into a single unit: active cooling capability, temperature sensing, data logging, wireless communication, and alert notification. This multi-functional integration allows the device to provide comprehensive temperature management and monitoring during transport without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby managing complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cooling mechanism, monitoring system, and communication capabilities into an integrated portable device. The cooling element, temperature sensors, processor, and communication modules are merged into a unified system that can autonomously monitor and maintain temperature while providing real-time alerts, reducing the need for multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If comprehensive temperature monitoring and alert systems are implemented, then medication safety is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic temperature monitoring where the sensor takes measurements at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. The processor evaluates temperature data at these periodic points, comparing readings against compliance thresholds and generating alerts when deviations are detected. This periodic approach reduces power consumption while maintaining adequate monitoring effectiveness for medication safety.
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 system effectively monitors and maintains the temperature of medications, reducing the risk of spoilage and ensuring safe administration by providing real-time alerts and quality indications, even during power outages or transport.
Implementation Method 1
A portable monitoring device is integrated in a selected variant into the cooling device and further incorporates additional processor driven circuitry for recording a temperature of the cooler's interior volume
Implementation Method 2
An internal thermostat is in operative communication with the circuitry to provide the desired temperature control of the interior volume
Data Source
AI summary
A monitor either usable in cooperation with or apart from a portable cooler to maintain a temperature of medications. The cooling device defines an interior volume for holding the medications, a power source including at least one of a 12 volt DC and an attachable 110 volt AC supply. A portable monitoring device is integrated with the cooling device and further includes a processor driven circuitry for recording a temperature associated with the interior volume containing the medications. The recorded temperature is compared at determined intervals to a preset programmed temperature range and, upon exceeding the programmed range, the device alerts the user. An alternative monitoring device is envisioned to ship with the medication from the manufacturer and remain with the medication container until the medications are used. If during transport or subsequent storage a temperature range is exceeded or the medication is at a certain temperature for a defined period of time, the chemical, mechanical, or electronic based device provides a good/bad product quality indication for the user. A derivative of this concept would be a gauge based device similar to a stopwatch or small pager. In addition to having a yes/no indicator, the battery based device would provide the required temperature monitoring parameters (e.g., range, current temperature). It would also reside with the medication during shipment and subsequent storage.