Temperature controlled pharmaceutical storage device with alarm detection and indication means

A temperature-controlled pharmaceutical storage apparatus for controlling temperature sensitive pharmaceutical substances which must be maintained within a range of temperatures to avoid diminishment of potency or shelf life, comprising:

• a) a substantially enclosed and thermally insulated structure, having at least one port which opens to allow access to an enclosed storage area having a storage temperature;
• b) a thermopile heat exchange means for cooling said enclosed storage area when operated in a cooling mode, and for heating said enclosed area when operated in a heating mode;
• c) a temperature sensor for continually monitoring said storage temperature;
• d) detector means for detecting when said storage temperature is outside of a predetermined range of temperatures, said detector means being connected to said temperature sensor and to said thermopile heat exchanger means, said detector means operating said thermopile heat exchanger means when said storage temperature is outside of said predetermined range to bring said storage temperature within said predetermined range;
• e) at least one battery for powering said thermocouple heat exchange means;
• f) override means for disabling said thermopile heat exchange means when said at least one port is open, for preserving said at least one battery.

A temperature-controlled pharmaceutical storage apparatus for controlling temperature sensitive pharmaceutical substances which must be maintained within a range of temperatures to avoid diminishment of potency or shelf life, comprising:

• a) a substantially enclosed and thermally insulated structure, including:
• i) a substantially rectangular base, having upper and lower regions;
• ii) a divider plate disposed in said substantially rectangular base, separating said upper region from said lower region, and having a plurality of drainage ports;
• iii) a desiccant means for absorbing moisture, disposed in said lower region;
• iv) a cover for enclosing said substantially rectangular base;
• v) wherein said upper region serves as a storage area having a storage temperature, and said lower region services as a drainage bin for condensate;
• b) a thermopile heat exchange means for cooling said enclosed storage area when operated in a cooling mode, and for heating said enclosed area when operated in a heating mode;
• c) a temperature sensor for continually monitoring said storage temperature;
• d) detector means for detecting when said storage temperature is outside of a predetermined range of temperatures, said detector means being connected to said temperature sensor and to said thermopile heat exchanger means, said detector means operating said thermopile heat exchanger means when said storage temperature is outside of said predetermined range to bring said storage temperature within said predetermined range;
• e) at least one battery for powering said thermopile heat exchange means;
• f) override means for disabling said thermopile heat exchange means when said at least one port is open, for preserving said at least one battery.

A device for storing pharmaceuticals within a predetermined temperature range, comprising:

• a) a container having top, bottom and side walls that form an interior compartment, said walls having thermal insulation therein, said top wall being capable of being opened so as to allow access into said interior compartment;
• b) temperature sensor means for sensing the temperature of said interior compartment, said temperature sensor means being located within said interior compartment;
• c) window detector means for detecting temperatures that are cooler than 59 degrees Fahrenheit and warmer than 86 degrees Fahrenheit, said window detector means having an input that is connected to said temperature sensor means;
• d) thermopile means for heating and cooling said interior compartment, said thermopile means being located in said container and being thermally coupled to said interior compartment and to the exterior of said container;
• e) switch means for selectively operating said thermopile means in a heating mode wherein said interior compartment is heated or in a cooling mode wherein said interior compartment is cooled, said switch means being coupled to an output of said window detector means and to said thermopile means, wherein when said window detector means and said temperature sensor means detect the temperature of said interior compartment as being below 59 degrees Fahrenheit, then said switch means operates said thermopile means to heat said interior compartment and when said window detector means and said temperature sensor means detect the temperature of said interior compartment as being above 86 degrees Fahrenheit, then said switch means operates said thermopile means to cool said interior compartment.

A device for storing pharmaceuticals within a predetermined temperature range, comprising:

• a) a container having top, bottom and side walls that form an interior compartment, said walls having thermal insulation therein, said top wall being capable of being opened so as to allow access into said interior compartment;
• b) temperature sensor means for sensing the temperature of said interior compartment, said temperature sensor means being located within said interior compartment;
• c) window detector means for detecting temperatures that are cooler than a predetermined minimum temperature and warmer than a predetermined maximum temperature, said window detector means having an input that is connected to said temperature sensor means;
• d) thermopile means for heating and cooling said interior compartment, said thermopile means being located in said container and being thermally coupled to said interior compartment and to the exterior of said container;
• e) switch means for selectively operating said thermopile means in a heating mode wherein said interior compartment is heated or in a cooling mode wherein said interior compartment is cooled, said switch means being coupled to an output of said window detector means and to said thermopile means, wherein when said window detector means and said temperature sensor means detects the temperature of said interior compartment as being below said predetermined minimum temperature, then said switch means operates said temperature means to heat said interior compartment and when said window detector means and said temperature sensor means detect the temperature of said interior compartment as being above said predetermined maximum temperature, then said switch means operates said thermopile means to cool said interior compartment;
• f) alarm indicator means being coupled to a second output of said window detector means, said alarm indicator means being programmed with a predetermined time delay, wherein when said window detector means detects a temperature outside of the predetermined minimum temperature to predetermined maximum temperature range for said predetermined time delay, said alarm indicator means provides and maintains an indication of the temperature excess.