Portable temperature-regulating apparatus for medicaments

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable apparatus for regulating the temperature of medicaments in solid or liquid form. A temperature-regulating apparatus according to the invention comprises a housing with at least one accommodating chamber, with at least one temperature-regulating device for regulating the temperature of the accommodating chamber, in particular a thermoelectric temperature-regulating device, with at least one inputting means capable of registering an insertion of a medicament container into the accommodating chamber or an immediately imminent insertion, and of controlling the temperature-regulation of the accommodating chamber depending thereon.

Claims

1. A temperature-regulating apparatus for medicaments comprising: a housing with at least one accommodating chamber for a medicament container, wherein the accommodating chamber is elongated along a longitudinal extent between a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a thermoelectric temperature-regulating device, wherein the temperature-regulating device can temperature-regulate only a partial area of the accommodating chamber, the thermoelectric temperature-regulating device including a plurality of thermoelectric elements that are attached to the accommodating chamber along the longitudinal extent, the plurality of thermoelectric elements extending only over a partial area of the longitudinal extent starting at a location near the first end of the accommodating chamber up to a middle area located between the first end and the second end of the accommodating chamber; and a control device that is configured to adjust a temperature of the partial area of the accommodating chamber that is temperature-regulated in response to a position of a piston of the medicament container, the partial area being adjustable using the thermoelectric elements, wherein the temperature-regulating apparatus includes a filling level sensor for determining a filling level of the medicament container which corresponds to the position of the piston.

2. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an alignment device which permits an insertion of the medicament container in only one direction, wherein the alignment device comprises a thread, a bayonet connector or a latch for detachably fastening the medicament container.

3. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a detector that is capable of detecting the insertion of the medicament container into the accommodating chamber.

4. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accommodating chamber is wholly or partially enveloped by at least one layer comprising a gel or another substance that is brought from a liquid state into a solid state at temperatures between 0 C. and 30 C. when latent heat is supplied.

5. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising the medicament container, wherein an internal diameter of the accommodating chamber corresponds to an external diameter of the inserted medicament container, and/or a length of the medicament container corresponds to a length of the accommodating chamber on the inside, and/or a width of the medicament container corresponds to a width of the accommodating chamber on the inside, and/or a depth of the medicament container corresponds to a depth of the accommodating chamber on the inside.

6. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising the medicament container, wherein the accommodating chamber is closeable with a cap and the medicament container located in the accommodating chamber protrudes over the accommodating chamber when the cap is removed.

7. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein no thermoelectric elements are provided adjacent to the cap.

8. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one inputting means is provided that is capable of registering an insertion of the medicament container into the accommodating chamber or an immediately imminent insertion, and of controlling a temperature regulation of the accommodating chamber depending thereon.

9. The temperature-regulating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accommodating chamber is positively adapted to a medicament container located in the accommodating chamber.

Description

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1: shows a temperature-regulating apparatus.

(3) FIG. 2: shows another embodiment of the temperature-regulating apparatus.

(4) FIG. 3: shows another embodiment of the temperature-regulating apparatus.

(5) FIG. 4: shows a section of a chamber of the temperature-regulating apparatus according to one embodiment.

(6) The invention is described in detail in the following description with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

(7) A temperature-regulating apparatus 1 is outlined in FIG. 1. The temperature-regulating apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 with several accommodating chambers 3. The accommodating chambers 3 are configured so as to be lockable. The accommodating chamber can be opened via an unlocking means 7 in the lid of the accommodating chamber 3, provided it was unlocked appropriately in order to enable the removal of the medicament. The status of an accommodating chamber is indicated by several LED status displays 5. The LED displays 5 are capable of showing the status of the accommodating chamber by means of different colors or a flashing cycle. Because of the LED's, for example, the user is able to see, without opening the accommodating chambers 3, which accommodating chambers are currently being temperature-regulated. Moreover, temperature displays 4 are also provided on accommodating chambers 3 so that the user is able to directly read off the temperature.

(8) Accommodating chambers 3 of different sizes are provided for accommodating different medicament containers. In addition to accommodating chambers that accommodate individual medicament containers, for example in the form of pen sticks, accommodating chambers for several ampoules or other medicament containers are also disposed on the temperature-regulating apparatus 1 in a space-saving manner. Moreover, in order to facilitate safe operation by users with impaired vision, the accommodating chambers 3 are labeled in Braille 6.

(9) Another embodiment with an accommodating chamber 3 is shown in FIG. 2. This embodiment comprises a touch screen 8 for displaying relevant user information and for inputs. Information, for example on the operative condition or concerning operation, can be outputted acoustically by means of a loudspeaker 9. A micro-bar-code scanner 10 serves as an inputting means in order to be able to read in machine-readable information on a medicament package and starting a temperature regulation of the accommodating chamber 3 dependent thereon. A rechargeable battery of the temperature-regulating apparatus can be charged and/or data can be exchanged with a computer via a port, such as, for example, a USB port 15. An indicator light 11 serves as a temperature indicator, for example in order to signal by means of a green light that a predetermined temperature in the accommodating chamber 3 has been reached. Another indicator light 12 signals the operative condition of the rechargeable battery. If, for example, this light is lighted green, the rechargeable battery is sufficiently charged. Yellow, for example, signals a necessity for charging. Red signals that the rechargeable battery is almost completely discharged. An indicator light 13 signals the correct connection of a power supply unit. A light sensor 14 regulates the brightness of the respective visual displays in order thus to minimize power consumption. A plurality of other ports 15, such as, for example, USB ports, can be provided, for example in order to connect other modules to the module shown in FIG. 2. An indicator light 16 shows the operative condition of a Bluetooth communication device 1 7. An indicator light 18 shows the operative condition of a wi-fi communication device 19. The temperature-regulating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 comprises an RFID transmitter and/or receiver 20.

(10) A desired temperature in the accommodating chamber 3 can be set manually using keys 21 and 22.

(11) Such a temperature-regulating apparatus can, for example, comprise a module which in addition to one or more rechargeable batteries comprises, for example, a computer unit that is connected, for example, with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Another module can be an accommodating chamber, which can be provided with its own display devices and the like. The temperature-regulating apparatus, or a module of the temperature-regulating apparatus, can comprise an emergency key in order to be able to initiate an emergency call via mobile phone service. At the same time, an emergency call initiated in this manner expediently comprises information regarding the location of the temperature-regulating apparatus. Moreover, the temperature-regulating apparatus expediently comprises an on/off switch.

(12) FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a temperature-regulating apparatus which comprises a cylindrical accommodating chamber consisting of a container 30 and a cap 31. The cap 31 can be firmly connected to the container 30, for example through a screwed connection or a latching connection. In particular the cap 31 preferably consists of plastic and, moreover, is equipped with thermally insulating layers and/or materials, such as, for example, foamed materials. Over a part of the longitudinal extent of the accommodating chamber 30, 31, thermoelectric elements 32 are disposed in the area that is shown in dashed lines. The area 32 is dimensioned in such a way that it is adjacent to the area of the medicament container containing the medicament. A control apparatus can be provided which controls the temperature regulation by the thermoelectric elements depending on the position of a piston of the medicament container, in such a way that only that area is heated which comprises the medicament. Such a medicament container 33 which extends into the cap 31 is located within the accommodating chamber. If the cap 31 is removed, then the medicament container protrudes from the rest of the area 30 of the accommodating chamber. The medicament container 33 can then be grasped easily and pulled out from the rest of the area 30 of the accommodating chamber. A flat area with a rectangular surface, which comprises a display 35, is attached to the side of the accommodating chamber 30, 31. If, for example, the temperature-regulating apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is placed on a desk in such a way that the display 35 is visible, then this display is situated on the surface of the desk in a slightly inclined position, and is thus easily readable. The rectangular area 34 can accommodate further components of the temperature-regulating device.

(13) For insertion, the medicament container 33 is connected to a fastening device 36 by, for example, a thread, i.e. by screwing. The cap 31 is preferably capable of closing the container 30 only when the medicament container 33 is fully connected to the fastening device 36. The fastening device 36 comprises a sensor 37, for example a micro switch or other sensor, with which it is possible to determine whether a medicament container 33 was properly connected to the fastening means 36. However, this sensor may also be omitted if the container 30 can only be closed with the cap 31 if the medicament container 33 has been properly fastened to the fastening means 36. In that case, a sensor or detector is sufficient which is capable of determining whether a medicament container 33 is located in the container 30. It is possible to determine by a sensor 38, for example a micro switch, whether the container 30 was properly closed with the cap 31. The use of a micro switch as a sensor is advantageous in that it does not consume energy, in contrast to other sensors, such as, for example, optical sensors, which can prolong operating life.

(14) In the container 30 an insert can be disposed, which is not shown and which consists, in particular, of metal or at least partially of metal, and which preferably protrudes from the container 30 and in that case can be easily removed and replaced with a different insert. In that case, the medicament container 33 is located wholly or partially within the insert.

(15) The accommodating chamber 30, 31 can be enveloped at least partially by layers that comprise substances that are brought from a liquid state into a solid state by a supply of heat. Preferably, two such layers are provided. The substance in an inner layer is brought into the solid state at a lower temperature, in particular at temperatures between 2 C. and 8 C., compared to the substance in the, relative thereto, outer layer. The substance of the outer layer is preferably brought into the solid state at a temperature of between 20 C. and 30 C. The insulation in the form of one or more such layers can be combined with every one of the embodiments or independent inventions disclosed in this document.

(16) In one embodiment of the invention, the container 30 is configured in such a way that it is capable of accommodating, in addition to a medicament container, one or more refill cartridges for the medicament container, or one or more further medicament containers. A dedicated bore or dedicated chamber, into which a refill cartridge or a medicament container can be pushed, can be provided for each refill cartridge. The different chambers can be interconnected via supply ducts in order to allow for a thermal equalization between the chambers.

(17) FIG. 4 shows a section of a possible design of the chamber 30. A plurality of chambers 39 are grouped around a main climate chamber 40. From the main climate chamber 40, ducts 41 optionally lead to the chambers 39 in a star-shaped manner. An exchange of air is possible between the various chambers 39, 40 via the ducts 41. At least one refill cartridge can be pushed into each chamber 39. Finally, all the chambers 39 and 40 can be closed by a single cap, as shown in FIG. 3. However, it is to be preferred that the chambers 39 are closed by another cap, i.e. not by the cap that is capable of closing the main climate chamber 40. The two caps can be provided at opposite ends of a, for example, cylindrical container 30. The removal of the cap for the main climate chamber 41 prevents the opening process for removing an already used medicament container from causing warm air to be able to flow directly also into the chambers 39, which would increase energy consumption.

(18) If ducts 41 are provided, it can be sufficient if thermoelectric elements are arranged in such a way that primarily the main climate chamber 40 is temperature-regulated by them. The temperature regulation of the further chambers 39 is then effected by an exchange of air through the ducts 41. Preferably, there are exactly five chambers 39 for refill cartridges, because this number was found to be particularly suitable in order to be able to be disposed around a main climate chamber 40 while taking into account the various requirements. In one embodiment, at least one spring is provided in each of the one or more chambers 39, which springs are biased when refill cartridges are located in these chambers 39. The refill cartridges are then immovably located in these chambers 39. Alternatively, a fastening mechanism can in that case be provided in each chamber 39, with which refill cartridges can or must be fastened in each chamber 39 in order to be able to close each chamber 39.

(19) In one embodiment of the invention, several chambers 39 are shut with a rotatable plate with a passage. If the plate is rotated in a suitable manner, access to one of the chambers 39 is provided via the passage. It is thus avoided that, in case of need, all the chambers 39 have to be opened at the same time which would increase energy consumption accordingly. The plate can be pressed against the openings of the chambers 39 by a biased spring. Springs located in the chambers 39 can be used so that an end of a refill cartridge is pushed out if the corresponding chamber is opened.

(20) The invention is particularly suitable for the temperature regulation of insulin.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(21) 1 Temperature-regulating apparatus 2 Housing 3 Accommodating chamber 4 Temperature display 5 LED status display 6 Braille labeling 7 Unlocking means 8 Touch screen 9 Loudspeaker 10 Micro-bar-code scanner 11 Indicator light 12 Indicator light 13 Indicator light 14 Light sensor 15 USB port 16 Indicator light 17 Bluetooth device 18 Indicator light 19 Wi-fi communication device 20 RFID transmitter/receiver 21 Key 22 Key 30 Container 31 Cap 32 Area for thermoelectric elements 33 Medicament container 34 Rectangular surface area 35 Display 36 Fastening device 37 Sensor 38 Sensor 39 Chamber 40 Main climate chamber 41 Duct