Temperature-controlled storage device, particularly a cooling and freezing container for blood products

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage device 1, particularly a cooling and freezing device for blood products, and a method for monitoring a temperature-controlled storage device 1. The temperature-controlled storage device 1 has at least one working capacity 23, the temperature of which is controllable by at least one temperature control unit 25. At least one temperature sensor 26 a - 26 e is assigned to the working capacity 23, and this sensor is coupled to a temperature monitoring controller. The temperature monitoring controller is able to be coupled at least intermittently with an analysis point via a preferably packet-based data communication system for the purpose of transmitting temperature measurement values.

1 . A storage device, particularly a cooling and freezing device for storage of blood products ( 32 ), having at least one working capacity ( 23 ,  61 ,  62 ), the temperature of which is controllable by at least one temperature control unit ( 25 ), wherein at least one temperature sensor ( 26   a - 26   e ) is assigned to the working capacity ( 23 ,  61 ,  62 ), which sensor is coupled to a temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ), and wherein the temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ) is able to be coupled at least intermittently with an analysis point ( 19   b ) via a data communication system ( 18 ) for the purpose of transmitting temperature measurement values. 
     
     
         2 . The storage device as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the temperature measurement values can be programmed for transmission from the temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ) to the analysis point ( 19   b ) at specified time intervals. 
     
     
         3 . The storage device as recited in  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the temperature measurement values can be requested by the analysis point ( 19   b ). 
     
     
         4 . The storage device as recited in  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the data communication system ( 18 ) is a TCP/IP network. 
     
     
         5 . The storage device as recited in  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the data communication system ( 18 ) is a digital mobile telephone network. 
     
     
         6 . The storage device as recited in  claim 5 , characterized in that the measurement values can be transmitted to the analysis point ( 19   b ) via a short message service (SMS, MMS). 
     
     
         7 . The storage device as recited any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a display unit ( 14 ), preferably a screen, is coupled to the temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ). 
     
     
         8 . The storage device as recited  claim 7 , characterized in that the screen ( 14 ) is a flat screen. 
     
     
         9 . The storage device as recited  claim 7  or  8 , characterized in that the screen ( 14 ) is touch-sensitive. 
     
     
         10 . The storage device as recited any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of working capacities ( 61 ,  62 ) are provided, the temperatures of which can be controlled by one temperature control unit ( 25 ). 
     
     
         11 . The storage device as recited any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a loudspeaker ( 63 ) is coupled to the temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ). 
     
     
         12 . The storage device as recited any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensor ( 50 ) is secured detachably to an item to be stored in the working capacity ( 61 ,  62 ). 
     
     
         13 . The storage device as recited any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensor ( 26   a - 26   e,    50 ) can be allocated to the working capacity such that is it able to be retrofitted and/or replaced. 
     
     
         14 . A method for monitoring a temperature-controlled storage device ( 1 ,  60 ) comprising the following steps
 (a) Recording the temperature in at least one working capacity ( 23 ,  61 ,  62 ) of the storage device ( 1 ,  60 ) with at least one temperature-sensor ( 26   a - 26   e,    50 ) as a measurement value;   (b) Periodic retrieval of the measurement values of the at least one temperature sensor ( 26   a - 26   e,    50 ) by a temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ); and   (c) Transmission of the at least one retrieved measurement value to an analysis point ( 19   b ) via a data communication system.   
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , characterized in that the retrieved measurement values are buffered in a memory unit of the temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ). 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 14  or  15 , characterized in that the retrieved or buffered measurement values are aggregated. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , characterized in that when the measurement values are aggregated, maximum values, minimum values and/or averages for a measurement period are determined. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claims 14  to  17 , characterized in that the retrieved or buffered measurement values are transmitted to the analysis point ( 19   b ) by the temperature monitoring controller ( 9 ) at preprogrammed times. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claims 14  to  18 , characterized in that the retrieved or buffered measurement values are called by the analysis point ( 19   b ).