Medical travel pack with cooling system

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for keeping medical materials, such as medicine, cool. The device allows for easy transportation provided infrequent access to electricity. The device incorporates a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) inside an insulated container. The TEC is in contact with a freezable material which is frozen when the TEC is electrically powered. Upon disconnect from electrical power, the freezable material provides passive cooling inside the container while the medical material is transported. This portable device helps patients to travel with their medicines confidently and safely.

1 . A portable medical storage device, comprising:
 an insulated container;   a freezable gel disposed within the container; and   a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the freezable gel.   
   
   
       2 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thermal conduction member adapted for providing the thermal communication, the thermal conduction member comprising:
 a cold plate portion integrally formed with a conduction fin portion, wherein the cold plate portion is adjacent the thermoelectric cooler and the conduction fin portion extends into the gel. 
   
   
   
       3 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 2 , wherein the conduction fin comprises a rod. 
   
   
       4 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 2 , wherein the conduction fin comprises a heat pipe. 
   
   
       5 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 4 , wherein the conduction fin comprises a plurality of heat pipes. 
   
   
       6 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the freezable gel comprises a material having a freezing temperature about equal to a minimum storage temperature of the medicine. 
   
   
       7 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 6 , wherein the minimum storage temperature is about 2° C. 
   
   
       8 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device maintains medicine stored in the container at a temperature between about 2° C. and about 8° C. for at least about 24 hr. 
   
   
       9 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller circuit in electrical communication with the thermoelectric cooler. 
   
   
       10 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller circuit is configured to transform an input signal dependent on medicine temperature to an output signal regulating the on/off state of the thermoelectric cooler. 
   
   
       11 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 10 , further comprising an AC/DC adaptor in electrical communication with the controller circuit. 
   
   
       12 . The portable medical storage device according to  claim 10 , further comprising a source of portable electric power mounted in said device. 
   
   
       13 . The portable medical storage device according to  claim 12 , wherein said portable electric power provides the operating power for the controller circuit to regulate the thermoelectric cooler in the absence of an AC outlet. 
   
   
       14 . The portable medical storage device according to  claim 13 , wherein said portable electric power comprise rechargeable batteries. 
   
   
       15 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an inner cylindrical wall. 
   
   
       16 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 15 , wherein the wall is at least about 5 cm in diameter. 
   
   
       17 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least one medicine receptacle sized so as to hold a 10 ml medicine vial. 
   
   
       18 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least one medicine receptacle sized so as to hold a 1 ml syringe. 
   
   
       19 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fan adjacent the thermoelectric cooler. 
   
   
       20 . The portable medicine storage device according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulated container comprise vacuum insulation. 
   
   
       21 . A portable medical storage device, comprising:
 an insulated container comprising an insulated lid;   a phase change material disposed within the container;   a storage unit in contact with the phase change material;   a cooling assembly in contact with the freezable gel, said cooling assembly comprising a cold plate, a thermal conduction member, a thermal electric cooler, a heat sink, and a fan;   a temperature sensor adapted for sensing the temperature within the container; and   a microcontroller in electrical communication with the thermoelectric cooler and said temperature sensor.   
   
   
       22 . The portable medical storage device according to  claim 21 , wherein said cold plate is integrally formed with the thermal conduction member and adjacent to the thermoelectric cooler. 
   
   
       23 . The portable medical storage device of  claim 22 , wherein the conduction member extends into the phase change material. 
   
   
       24 . The portable medical storage device according to  claim 21 , wherein said storage unit is configured to hold an item selected from among small glass bottles, syringes, and small vials. 
   
   
       25 . The portable medical storage device according to  claim 21 , wherein said system is adapted for storing liquid phase sterile mediums, for administering to individuals in need thereof, at a temperature slightly above its freezing temperature. 
   
   
       26 . The portable medical storage device according to  claim 21 , wherein said system is adapted for storing personal use medicines required to be kept at a predetermined temperature during travel. 
   
   
       27 . A method for controlling the temperature of a medical material, comprising:
 providing the portable medical storage device according to  claim 21 ;   maintaining the temperature of said medical material at a predetermined temperature.