Various present invention devices enable adherence to requirements for medical items. A medical item of the present invention includes a monitoring or data recording device to monitor and/or record medical solution conditions. The device may further include indicators to indicate compliance of the medical solution with prescribed requirements (e.g., manufacturer, medical standard or regulation, etc.). The medical item may alternatively include a barcode or transponder to uniquely identify the medical item to a thermal treatment system measuring and storing conditions in a central database. The present invention further includes various thermal treatment systems that monitor medical items for prescribed requirements and display the monitored parameters to medical personnel. In addition, the present invention may place time stamp information on medical items to enable determination by medical personnel of compliance with prescribed requirements.

Medical item thermal treatment systems and method of monitoring medical items for compliance with prescribed requirements

Design optimization of thermoelectric devices for solar power generation

A system for use in freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials includes a flexible sterile container means for holding biopharmaceutical material therein and a holder more rigid than said container means. The container means is received in a cavity of the holder and the holder extends along a perimeter of the container means. The holder is fixedly connected to the container means. The holder includes opposing sides defining an opening and the container means extends between the opposing sides of the holder defining the opening. The container means includes a substantially smooth exterior surface extending between the opposing sides.

Systems and methods for freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials

A modular thermoelectric assembly (30) is provided to maintain the temperature within a container or enclosed structure at a desired level. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device (32) with a hot sink (40) and a cold sink (50). A layer of insulating material (42) is disposed between the hot sink and the cold sink. The hot sink and the insulating material are used to install the thermoelectric assembly into an appropriately sized opening extending through the exterior of the container or enclosed structure. A thermoelectric device, contained within the layer of insulating material, functions as a heat pump to transfer heat between the cold sink and the hot sink. An electrical motor (60), rotating shaft (62) and propellers (64, 66) are carried by the assembly to assist in the circulation of air to improve the efficiency of the cold sink and the hot sink.

Modular thermoelectric assembly

The present invention provides a system for controlling the climate of a hybrid vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a valve. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. A tube containing coolant runs proximate the thermoelectric elements. To aid in the transfer of heat energy, a blower is provided to generate an air flow across the thermoelectric elements and the tube. The coolant is provided from the thermoelectric module to a heat exchanger that heats or cools the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle. The pump and valve are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and thermoelectric module. The pump pressurizes the coolant flow through the tube and coolant lines. In a cooling mode, the valve is configured to selectively bypass the engine coolant system of the vehicle.

Climate control system for hybrid vehicles using thermoelectric devices

A refrigerator/food warmer includes an insulated food compartment and lid. A thermoelectric heat exchanger and air circulator are mounted in the lid with both a heatsink of the thermoelectric heat exchanger and an air impeller of the air circulator above and below the lid, respectively. The air impeller above the lid draws air through the corresponding heat sink for improving the temperature differential between opposing sides of the thermoelectric heat exchanger, and the air impeller below the lid forces air of the insulated housing through the corresponding heat sink for conditioning the air hot or cold, as desired, and circulating the conditioned air throughout the insulated housing.

Temperature controlled picnic box

A transport apparatus, for hauling data storage media requiring environmental protection to and from a permanent storage site, includes a portable transport module and a transport cart. The transport module includes an insulated housing having guides for receiving shelves adapted to hold motion picture films, audio and video tapes, and photography film and provide ready access to and protection against movement during transit. A thermoelectric heat pump assembly heats or cools the interior of the insulated housing. A temperature sensor and a humidity sensor in the housing produce temperature and humidity measurement signals. Connectors are provided to connect power to the thermoelectric heat pump assembly and to output the temperature and humidity measuring signals. An ancillary power supply and control system are included to operate the transport module when separated from the transport cart. The transport cart has a platform with tie down cleats, wheels attached to the platform, wheel locks for securing the transport cart against rolling, a rechargeable battery power pack and compartment, connectors corresponding to the connectors of the transport module connect the rechargeable battery power pack to the thermoelectric heat pump assembly and receive the temperature and humidity measuring signals. An upright member of the platform supports a handle for pushing the transport cart and a programmable controller having a processor, time and date clock, memory, display, keypad, and timers. The programmable controller receiving the temperature and humidity measurement signals and controls the operation of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly for maintaining programmed temperatures during programmed time periods.

Transporter unit with communication media environmental storage modules

A videotape storage cabinet is disclosed which includes a housing having a base portion supporting a videotape cooling compartment, a heat sink compartment, and a top, the top for supporting the videotape user equipment. A temperature controlled thermoelectric heat pump is mounted between the compartments with a cold sink and a heat sink extending into the cooling and heating compartments, respectively. The cold sink provides videotape bins designed to support videotapes individually for cooling by the cold sink. A drawer is provided in the cooling compartment for a drying agent. The drying agent may be in either packaged form or bulk form for placement in the drawer. The drying agent is to control the moisture content of the cold air in the cooling compartment. The controlled temperature thermoelectric heat pump is set to maintain the cooling compartment to 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the drying agent sufficient to maintain the relative humidity between 35-45 percent for preservation of the videotapes during storage. The drying agent can be replaced by a small dehumidifying thermoelectric heat pump mounted in the cooling compartment, and a drain provided to remove the moisture.

Video tape storage cabinet

Module Design and Fabrication

An apparatus for generating cold and hot for application selectively by contact on an object having a paint or coating whose color changes in response to cold and hot temperatures. The apparatus is easy to hold and handle with one hand while holding an object for application, e.g., a doll or toy car, in the other hand. The apparatus includes a battery powered thermoelectric device having a cold sink shaped to form a cold applicator for cooling the paint sufficiently to change its color, and a heat sink shaped to form a heat applicator for changing back the color. For a doll, the cold sink applicator is used to change, for example, the natural color of the lips and cheeks to a make-up color, and a heat sink shaped to form a comb for combing the doll's hair and a heat applicator for returning the natural color of the doll's lips and cheeks through heat application.

Edward J. Burke

Papers

Temperature controlled picnic box

Transporter unit with communication media environmental storage modules

Video tape storage cabinet

Module Design and Fabrication

Thermoelectric paint color changing apparatus