Medical Storage Case with Remote Unlocking Refrigerator with thermal Spoilage Protection

Abstract

A controlled access pharmaceutical storage case has storage spaces arranged vertically one above the other and a pharmaceutical refrigerator located at its base. A remotely actuable refrigerator door lock on the refrigerator door has a data port connecting with a programmed electronic control arrangement, e.g., a computer or network. The refrigerator has a compressor at the top of the case that operates on line AC or on battery DC backup power. A battery backup arrangement is located at the top of the case. When AC is detected to be absent or insufficient, i.e., during general or localized power failure, the refrigerator operates on battery, and the door lock is prevented from unlocking. Internal temperature and humidity levels are tracked and sent at intervals to a predetermined destination for action.

1 . A controlled access pharmaceutical storage case comprising a frame having a base and a top, a plurality of storage spaces within said frame arranged vertically one above the other; and a pharmaceutical refrigerator located in said frame on said base, and including a refrigerator cabinet and a door that closes against the refrigerator cabinet; a remotely actuable refrigerator door lock for locking and unlocking the refrigerator door including a data port connecting with a programmed electronic control arrangement;
 a refrigeration circuit that includes a compressor mounted at the top of the storage case and having a pressure port and a suction port, a condenser coil coupled to said pressure port and leading to an expansion valve, followed by an evaporator coil within the refrigerator cabinet and being connected with the suction port of the compressor;   wherein said compressor is adapted to be operable when powered by standard AC line power or when powered by DC battery power;   AC power cables coupled to a source of said standard AC line power;   a storage battery arrangement providing DC battery power to said compressor and to said electronic control arrangement;   charging means coupled to said AC power cables for supplying charging power to said storage battery arrangement;   power sensor means coupled with said AC power cables and said storage battery arrangement for sensing whether AC power is present and coupling the compressor to the AC power cables when AC power is present but connecting the compressor to the storage battery arrangement when AC power is absent;   said power sensor means being coupled to a data input of said electronic control arrangement;   said computer arrangement having an unlock facility operative for receiving unlock commands specific to the refrigerator door lock, and unlatch the refrigerator door lock upon receipt of said unlock command to permit authorized hospital personnel access to the contents of the refrigerator, but operative to disable said unlock facility and prevent access to the contents of the refrigerator if the power sensor means detects that the AC power is absent for a period of time that exceeds a predetermined time interval.   
     
     
         2 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 1  wherein said storage battery and said charging means are disposed at the top of said storage case. 
     
     
         3 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 1  wherein said programmed control arrangement is adapted to generate and transmit an alert message to a predetermined addressee in the event that said AC power is absent for longer than a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         4 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 1  in which said refrigerator lock includes a key lock cylinder permitting override access for allowing supervisory personnel to open the pharmaceutical refrigerator during absence of said AC power. 
     
     
         5 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 1  further comprising a temperature monitor having a probe sensing temperature inside said refrigerator cabinet, the temperature monitor being coupled with said programmed control arrangement to transmit the sensed temperature thereto; and wherein said control arrangement is operative to store at least one predetermined temperature limit, and to compare the sensed temperature with said at least one predetermined temperature limit, and is operative to disable said unlock facility if the sensed temperature is outside said predetermined temperature limit so that the refrigerator door lock is prevented from being unlocked remotely. 
     
     
         6 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 5  further including means for communicating a temperature alarm to said remote computer system when the sensed temperature is beyond said limit. 
     
     
         7 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 1  wherein said programmed control arrangement is adapted to generate and transmit an alert message to a predetermined addressee in the event that the power sensor means detects that the AC power is absent. 
     
     
         8 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 7  further comprising a humidity sensor positioned within said refrigerator cabinet and being coupled with said programmed circuit arrangement to transmit a sensed humidity thereto; and wherein the programmed circuit arrangement is operative to store at least one predetermined humidity limit, and to compare the sensed humidity from said humidity sensor with said at least one predetermined humidity limit, and is operative to disable said unlock facility if the sensed humidity is outside said predetermined humidity limit so that the refrigerator door lock is prevented from being unlocked. 
     
     
         9 . Controlled access pharmaceutical cabinet of  claim 1  wherein said control arrangement includes audit trail software for recording each time of opening of the refrigerator door lock and also recording identity of each requesting person associated with such openings of the refrigerator door lock.