Temperature-controlled medicinal storage devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medicinal storage solutions fail to maintain consistent temperature ranges for vaccines and thermo-labile medications in environments with intermittent or unreliable electrical power, particularly in extreme ambient temperatures, requiring frequent recharging and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A medicinal storage container integrating a desiccant unit with a heating element, a compressor-based cooling system, and an evaporative cooling system, connected via a vapor conduit, with a controller managing temperature through evaporative cooling and vapor control, allowing for extended temperature maintenance without continuous external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a compressor-based cooling system is used to maintain temperature, then the temperature range can be maintained, but the power consumption increases and requires continuous external power
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by cycling the compressor-based cooling system on and off based on temperature sensor feedback, rather than running continuously. The controller activates the compressor when the temperature rises above the desired range and deactivates it when the range is maintained, reducing overall power consumption while still maintaining the required temperature range for medicinal storage
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through the integrated control mechanism where the temperature sensor automatically detects temperature changes and triggers the compressor activation without external intervention. The controller autonomously manages the cooling system based on real-time temperature data, eliminating the need for continuous external power management and reducing operational complexity
2Temperature
If a compressor-based cooling system is used, then the temperature can be maintained, but the device requires frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by integrating both evaporative cooling and compressor-based cooling systems that work together. The evaporative cooling provides continuous passive cooling through phase change, while the compressor system provides active cooling when needed, ensuring uninterrupted temperature maintenance and extending operational duration between recharges
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant in the evaporator coils, where the refrigerant absorbs heat during evaporation and releases heat during condensation. This phase change mechanism provides efficient cooling with minimal energy input, extending the operational duration between recharges by maximizing the cooling effect per unit of refrigerant
3Device complexity
If conventional medicinal storage solutions are used, then the device complexity is low, but the temperature consistency fails in extreme ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the cooling function into two independent subsystems: an evaporative cooling system for passive cooling and a compressor-based cooling system for active cooling. Each subsystem operates independently but complements the other, providing temperature consistency across a wider range of ambient conditions while keeping each individual subsystem relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the temperature sensor, evaporative cooling system, and compressor-based cooling system. It receives temperature data from the sensor and activates the appropriate cooling mechanism, ensuring reliable temperature maintenance without requiring complex direct integration between all components
4Use of energy by moving object
If the evaporative cooling system is used, then the power usage is minimal, but the temperature maintenance duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges evaporative cooling and compressor-based cooling into a unified temperature control system. The evaporative cooling handles baseline cooling requirements with minimal power consumption, while the compressor system provides supplemental cooling when temperatures approach the upper limit, extending the temperature maintenance duration without significantly increasing overall power usage
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 maintains a temperature range of 0-10°C for extended periods, even in high ambient temperatures, with minimal power usage and reduced need for frequent recharging, making it suitable for intermittent power conditions and ensuring the bioactivity of medicinal agents.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor system including at least one evaporator coil unit positioned within the interior evaporative region of the cooling unit
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit including one or more external walls, the one or more external walls sealed together to form a gas-impermeable and liquid-impermeable barrier around an interior evaporative region
Implementation Method 3
a heating element positioned within the interior desiccant region
Implementation Method 4
a desiccant unit including one or more external walls, the one or more external walls sealed together to form a gas-impermeable barrier around an interior desiccant region
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a medicinal storage container includes: a desiccant unit including external walls forming a gas-impermeable barrier around an interior desiccant region and including an aperture; a heating element; a controller operably attached to the heating element; a cooling unit; a compressor system including at least one evaporator coil unit, the compressor operably connected to the controller; a vapor conduit, the vapor conduit attached to a the desiccant unit at a first end, the vapor conduit attached to the evaporative cooling unit at a second end, the vapor conduit forming an internal, gas-impermeable passageway between the desiccant unit and the cooling unit; a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit and operably attached to the controller; and a medicinal storage unit including external walls encircling a medicinal storage region including a temperature sensor operably connected to the controller.