CONTAINER FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20130193130A1
• Filed: 01/17/2013
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western New England University
• Original Assignee: Western New England University
• Inventors: Rust, Michael, Nichols, James, Carlson, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 9,096,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/221
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/24 Etuis for purposes not covered by a single one of groups A45C11/02 - A45C11/22, A45C11/26, A45C11/32 - A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/007 Receptacles for personal medical or care products, e.g. drugs, condoms or patches; Small first-aid kits
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/026 Inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/18 providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient with thermal insulation B65D81/38; ice-boxes with cooling means F25D
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

A container for a medical device such as a glucose meter is provided. The container includes a base member having a plurality of sides defining an interior volume. A cover member is operably coupled to the base member and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cover member encloses the interior volume when in the second position. An insert is disposed within the interior volume, the insert having an opening sized to receive the glucose meter. A heating element is disposed within the opening. A thermostat is in thermal communication with the opening and electrically coupled to the heating element, wherein the thermostat is configured to flow electrical power to the heating element when a temperature within the interior volume is below a threshold.

Claims

1. A container for a glucose meter comprising:

a base member having a plurality of sides defining an interior volume;

a cover member operably coupled to the base member and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cover member encloses the interior volume when in the second position;

an insert disposed within the interior volume, the insert having an opening sized to receive the glucose meter;

a heating element disposed within the opening; and

,

a thermostat in thermal communication with the opening and electrically coupled to the heating element, wherein the thermostat is configured to flow electrical power to the heating element when a temperature within the interior volume is below a threshold.

2. The container of claim 1 further comprising a switch coupled to the base, the switch having an actuator extending through one of the plurality of sides opposite the interior volume, the switch being electrically coupled to the thermostat and heating element.

3. The container of claim 2 further comprising at least one energy source disposed within the interior volume, the energy source being electrically coupled to the thermostat.

4. The container of claim 3 further comprising a first light emitting diode (LED) electrically coupled to the thermostat.

5. The container of claim 4 further comprising a second LED electrically coupled to the switch.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the heating element is a resistance heater.

7. The container of claim 1 further comprising a foil member disposed above the resistance heater within the first opening.

8. A container for a glucose meter comprising:

a base member having a plurality of sides defining an interior volume;

a cover member operably coupled to the base member and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the cover member encloses the interior volume when in the second position;

an insert disposed within the interior volume, the insert having a first opening sized to receive the glucose meter, and a second opening disposed adjacent the first opening;

a heating element disposed within the opening;

a thermostat in thermal communication with the opening and electrically coupled to the heating element, wherein the thermostat is configured to energize the heating element when a temperature within the interior volume is below a threshold; and

,

an energy source electrically coupled to the thermostat and the heating element, the energy source being disposed in the second opening.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein the energy source includes a first battery arrangement having an output of 3V.

10. The container of claim 9 wherein the insert includes a third opening adjacent the first opening opposite the second opening.

11. The container of claim 10 wherein the energy source includes second battery arrangement, the first battery arrangement and the second battery arrangement having an output of 3V.

12. The container of claim 11 further comprising a switch electrically coupled between the thermostat and the energy source, the switch being disposed to be actuated when the cover in the second position.

13. The container of claim 12 further comprising a first LED electrically coupled between the thermostat and the heating element, and a second LED electrically coupled between the switch and the thermostat.

14. The container of claim 13 further comprising a metal foil member disposed about the heating element.

15. The container of claim 14 wherein the heating element is a resistance heater.

16. A method of maintaining a glucose meter within a predetermined operating temperature, the method comprising:

providing a container having an interior volume, the container having a cover member arranged to move between an open and a closed position;

providing an insert disposed within the interior volume, the insert having an opening therein;

providing a heating element electrically coupled to an energy source by a thermostat, the heating element being disposed within the opening, the opening sized to receive the glucose meter;

configuring the thermostat to close when the temperature within the opening is below a threshold; and

, configuring heating element to energize when the thermostat is in the closed position.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising placing the glucose meter within the opening.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising activating a first LED when the thermostat is closed.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising providing a switch electrically coupled between the thermostat and the energy source, and activating a second LED when the switch is closed.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising wrapping the heating element with a foil member.