Abstract:
Provided herein is a portable insulated carrier for maintaining a syringe at an acceptable temperature for an extended period of time. The portable insulated carrier includes: a container having a front, a back, an open top, and defining an interior cavity; a closure for covering the open top of the container; at least one syringe holder in the interior cavity of the container, which is configured to receive and retain the syringe in an upright position; and an insulating member positioned in the insulating pocket, the insulating member being configured to prevent body heat of a user from being transferred to the syringe in the at least one syringe holder. The carrier is configured to maintain the syringe at a temperature of below 25 degrees Celsius for at least one hour.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/647,621 filed on May 16, 2012, on which priority of this patent application is based and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an insulated carrier bag and, in particular, to an insulated carrier bag configured to hold syringes at controlled room temperature for an extended period of time. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    During medical procedures, nurses, doctors, and other trained medical professionals are responsible for ensuring that medications needed for a particular procedure are readily accessible and can be quickly administered to the patient at the correct time. A nurse generally draws medication into a number of syringes prior to the start of the procedure. Often, the nurse must carry the syringes for extended periods of time before administering the syringe to the patient. However, nurses have numerous other responsibilities during the procedure. Therefore, holding the syringes the entire time is generally impossible, since the other responsibilities require that the nurse have unrestricted use of his or her hands. Placing the syringes containing medication on a tray or cart is also often impractical due to sterility or space concerns. Accordingly, nurses, medical technicians, and similar medical professionals must find ways to carry syringes and other medication devices during procedures so that the medications are available when needed. 
         [0006]    In some circumstances, the nurse may use a fanny pack or simply place the syringe in his or her pocket. However, medications carried this way are likely to be exposed to the carrier&#39;s body heat, thereby increasing the temperature of the medication contained in the syringe. Specifically, when the object is held against a user&#39;s body, the possibility of heat transfer from the user to the medication is increased. The chemical composition of some pharmacological agents changes as temperature increases. Therefore, according to generally accepted pharmaceutical standards, many medications should be maintained at “controlled room temperature.” Controlled room temperature is defined as the temperature of a typical working environment, generally about 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Medications tend to degrade or become ineffective if exposed to temperatures in excess of controlled room temperature for extended periods of time. 
         [0007]    To prevent medications in prepared syringes from spoiling during a procedure, medical facilities have installed refrigeration units in operating rooms and surgical suites. These refrigeration units ensure that prefilled syringes are maintained within strict temperature limits until they are administered to a patient. However, these units are expensive and, to ensure that medications are accessible when needed, generally must be installed in each room, meaning that a single medical facility must install many units. Furthermore, even when syringes are placed in a refrigeration unit in an operating room, a nurse still must take the time to access the refrigeration unit to obtain the syringe before administering it to a patient. The nurse is not able to carry the syringe on his or her person. Accordingly, rather than taking the time to access a refrigeration unit each time a new syringe is needed, nurses may still hold multiple syringes or carry them in their pockets. Therefore, the risk that medication will spoil due to prolonged exposure to body heat is present even when refrigeration units are available. 
         [0008]    In view of the deficiencies in current apparatus and methods for maintaining prepared syringes, there is a need for a carrying device for medications used during surgery and other medical procedures. The carrier should not restrict the movement of the user and should allow for easy access to and removal of the medication from the carrier at the appropriate time. Furthermore, the carrier should be maintained in a position far enough away from the body of the user that heat transfer between the user and medication is negated. It is further noted that nurses are often responsible for preparing and keeping track of drugs that are controlled substances. Accordingly, there is a need for a carrying device which allows the nurse to keep the medication on his or her person at all times. The nurse should have constant awareness of the location and condition of the controlled substances while still being able to perform other job functions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]    A portable insulated carrier is disclosed herein which overcomes the deficiencies of previously used methods and apparatus for maintaining a therapeutic agent prior to administering the agent to a patient. The carrier is configured to protect syringes containing therapeutic agents from the body heat of a user. Specifically, the carrier maintains the therapeutic agent at a controlled temperature of below 25 degrees Celsius. In addition, the carrier ensures that medications are easily accessible, so that they can be administered to a patient in a timely fashion. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a portable insulated carrier for a syringe includes: a container having a front, a back, an open top, and defining an interior cavity; a closure for covering the open top of the container; at least one syringe holder in the interior cavity of the container, which is configured to receive and retain a syringe in an upright position; and an insulating member positioned in the insulating pocket, the insulating member being configured to prevent body heat of a user from being transferred to the syringe. The carrier is configured to maintain the syringe at a temperature of below 25 degrees Celsius for at least one hour. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a portable insulated carrier includes: a container having a front, a back, an open top, and defining an interior cavity; a closure, which in a closed position, covers the open top of the container; at least one cylindrical holder in the interior cavity of the container, wherein the at least one cylindrical holder is configured to receive and retain an object in an upright position; and an insulating member located at least between the back of the container and the at least one cylindrical holder for preventing body heat of a user from being transferred to the object contained within the cylindrical holder. The carrier is configured to maintain the object at a temperature of below 25 degrees Celsius for at least one hour. 
         [0012]    In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a method for holding a syringe containing a prepared dose of a therapeutic agent is provided. The method includes the steps of drawing a therapeutic agent into one or more disposable syringes; placing the one or more syringes in at least one syringe holder of a portable insulated carrier; removing one or more of the syringes from the carrier for administering the medication contained therein to a patient; and disposing of the syringe after the injection is completed. The insulated carrier includes: a container having a front, a back, an open top, and defining an interior cavity; a closure for covering the open top of the container; the at least one syringe holder; an insulating pocket accessible through a slot extending longitudinally across the container and positioned between the at least one syringe holder and the back of the container; and an insulating member positioned in the insulating pocket, the insulating member being configured to prevent body heat of a user from being transferred to the syringe. The carrier is configured to maintain the syringe at a temperature of less than 25 degrees Celsius for at least one hour. 
         [0013]    These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0014]    For the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings and description illustrate preferred embodiments thereof, from which the invention, various embodiments of its structures, construction and method of operation, and many advantages may be understood and appreciated. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a portable insulated carrier in the closed position embodying various features of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  in the open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  in the open position; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a portable insulated carrier in the open position according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
         [0021]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , a non-limiting embodiment of a portable insulated carrier  10  for medications, according to the present invention, is provided. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the portable carrier  10  includes a container  12  having a bottom  14 , a front face  16 , a rear face  18 , and a top opening  20 . The container  12  can be made of a water resistant fabric which is easy to clean after use. Since medications may be affected by exposure to light, the fabric must also be impervious to light. In one embodiment, the container  12  is constructed from a fabric known as “oil cloth.” Oil cloth consists of about 91% polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 6% polyester, and 3% cotton. Alternatively, the container  12  may be formed from blackboard fabric consisting of 90% PVC, 6% polyester, and 3% cotton or of Marine Vinyl fabric consisting of 100% PVC. Ideally, the fabric should be waterproof, easily wiped clean, and structurally strong enough to hold its shape without collapsing. 
         [0022]    In a closed position, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a closure flap  22  having a front  24  and a back  26  extends over the top opening  20  of the container  12 . Alternatively, the top opening  20  of the container  12  may be closed and held together by other means such as a zipper or clasping mechanism for bringing together and maintaining a connection between the front face  16  and rear face  18  of the container  12 . 
         [0023]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the carrier  10  further includes a strap  30  for carrying the carrier  10  over a user&#39;s shoulder, having a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The first end  32  and the second end  34  are connected to the container  12  near the top opening  20 . The strap  30  may be a fixed length or may be adjusted through, by example, a buckle  36  attached to the strap  30 . The strap may be made of any sufficiently strong and lightweight material, such as nylon webbing. In another non-limiting and preferred embodiment, the strap is configured to fit around the waist of a user, for holding the carrier  10  against the user&#39;s waist. 
         [0024]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , the flap  22  is depicted in the open position revealing an interior cavity  42 . Corresponding sections of a fastener  44  are positioned on the underside of the closure flap  22  and on the front face  16  of the container  12 . In the closed position, the corresponding sections of the fastener  44  come into holding engagement to hold the flap  22  in place and to prevent objects contained within the interior cavity  42  of the carrier  10  from falling out. In one non-limiting embodiment, the fastener  44  is made from Velcro® or a similar non-metallic releasable adhesive fabric. When the fastener  44  is non-metallic, the portable carrier  10  is safe for use in close proximity to an MRI machine. Alternatively, the fastener  44  could be a magnetic clasp, zipper, button, or other clasping device as are known in the art. 
         [0025]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the carrier  10  further includes one or more exterior pockets  38 . According to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the exterior pocket  38  is located on front face  16  of the container  12 . In the closed position, the flap  22  extends over an opening  40  of the exterior pocket  38  to prevent items contained within the pocket  38  from falling out. Alternatively, the pocket  38  may be located on the rear face  18  of the container  12 , on the flap  22 , or in any other convenient and accessible location. The pocket  38  is used for carrying medical supplies including, but not limited to, alcohol wipes, syringe caps, and labels for medications. 
         [0026]    With reference now to  FIG. 4 , a plurality of syringe holders  46  are located within the interior cavity  42  of the container  12 . The holders  46  extend from the top opening  20  to the bottom  14  of the container  12 . Each syringe holder  46  includes a straight wall and a curved wall and defines a semi-cylindrical cavity adapted to receive one or more syringes. According to one non-limiting embodiment, a mesh support  48  is placed within the holder  46  and maintains the semi-cylindrical shape of the cavity. The support  48  may be formed from a vinyl sheet or other flexible material, which is strong enough to maintain the shape of the holder  46 . As shown in the figures, one non-limiting embodiment includes four holders  46  arranged in linear configuration. In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, each holder  46  is about 3 cm to 5 cm in diameter, which is large enough to hold two 10 cc syringes. However, it is understood that the holders  46  may be different sizes to accommodate different sized syringes. As long as the syringe holders  46  are not labeled as containing a specific type of medication, there is no conflict in placing multiple syringes containing different medications in a single syringe holder  46 . However, each syringe should be individually labeled. 
         [0027]    With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , a tip guard  47  may be placed in a bottom portion of each syringe holder  46 . The tip guard may be a semi-circular piece of foam or plastic adapted to prevent the tip of a needle from contacting the walls of the container  12 . The tip guard also serves as an insulating material for protecting the syringes from a user&#39;s body heat. Finally, the tip guard  47  could be configured to help maintain the syringe in an upright position. For example, the tip guard  47  may include an indentation  49 . The tip or tip cover of the syringe could be inserted in the indentation  49 . 
         [0028]    With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the carrier  10  further includes an insulating member  50  situated between the plurality of syringe holders  46  and the rear face  18  of the container  12 . According to one embodiment of the invention, an insulation pocket  52  is formed between the holders  46  and the interior surface of the rear face  18 . The insulation pocket  52  may be accessible through a longitudinal slot  53  extending parallel to the rear face  18  of the container  12 . A rectangular shaped piece of insulation material  50  is adapted to be placed within the pocket  52 . The insulating material  50  should be sufficient to maintain separation between the body of a user and the medication containing syringes. Ideally, the insulation material  50  should be sufficient to maintain the medications at controlled room temperature and to avoid the transfer of body heat from the user to the medications. According to one embodiment of the invented carrier  10 , the insulating material  50  is foam having a width of about 2 mm. Alternatively, materials having cooling or heat shielding properties could also be used within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a further embodiment of the carrier  10  is depicted. In this embodiment, the carrier  10  contains a reduced number of syringe holders  46 . For example, the embodiment of  FIG. 5  includes only two syringe holders  46 . The carrier  10  further includes interior pockets  56  positioned near the syringe holders  46  in the interior of the container  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the carrier  10  includes two pockets oriented vertically with a first pocket located above the second pocket. It is understood, however, that within the scope of the invention, pockets  56  may be provided in numerous other configurations including being aligned horizontally or with interior pockets  56  located between the syringe holders  46 . The interior pockets  56  may be different sizes. The interior pockets  56  are used to hold larger medical supplies that do not fit in the exterior exterior pocket  38 . For example, medication vials, such as a vial of propofol, may be carried in interior pocket  56 . 
         [0030]    In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the carrier  10  is configured for use by a sedation nurse. In use, the nurse selects medications that are needed for sedating a single patient. Medications that may be injected with a syringe by a sedation nurse, and which the nurse would commonly carry in the carrier  10  include, but are not limited to, Versed, Fentanyl, Pentobarbital, Ketamine, atropine, and Zofran. The carrier  10  may also be used to carry additional medications including antibiotics, valium tablets, liquid Versed and liquid valium. Glucagon, for use in an MRI may also be carried using the carrier  10 . One of the syringes may also contain saline solution. The syringes may come with labels already affixed with information including the medication, concentration, dose volume, and the patient&#39;s name. Alternatively, the nurses may prepare labels themselves and place them on the syringes. 
         [0031]    The nurse prepares the medications for injection by drawing selected medications into syringes. Specifically, a needle is placed on the syringe and the user draws the medication from a vial into the syringe. After the medication is drawn from the vial, the needle is removed from the syringe and discarded. A syringe cap, namely a small blunt plastic cover, is then placed over the tip of the syringe. The cap effectively covers the tip to keep it clean and to prevent premature release of medication. The nurse places the capped syringes in the syringe holders  46  of the carrier  10  and closes the carrier  10  by placing the flap  22  over the top opening  20  of the container  12 . The flap  22  is secured in the closed position with the fasteners  44 . To prevent accidently providing the wrong medication to a patient, it is understood that all medications held in one carrier  10  should be intended for administration to a single patient. It is further understood that the nurse may need to draw the medications 40-50 minutes or more before administering them to a patient. During the procedure, the user opens the carrier  10  and removes the appropriate syringe at the appropriate time. Once the medication contained within the syringe is administered to the patient, the syringe is disposed of in an appropriate and medically sanitary fashion. Used syringes are not placed in the carrier  10 . Following use, the carrier  10  can be cleaned with an antibacterial wipe or similar cleaning method. 
         [0032]    As described above, the nurse will typically administers the drugs to a patient within an hour after preparing the syringe. However, tests of carriers  10  of the construction described above indicate that medications held in the carrier  10  may be maintained at a temperature of between 23 and 24 degrees Celsius for between 8 and 9 hours. Accordingly, it is understood that the carrier  10  of the present invention may also be used to carry medications for a single patient for a care provider&#39;s entire shift. It is noted, however, that, according to manufacturer&#39;s instructions, prepared syringes containing a reconstituted medication cannot be used more than one hour after reconstitution to maintain the integrity of the reconstituted fluid. 
         [0033]    For example, in a second embodiment of the present invention, the carrier  10  is adapted for use in a homecare setting. In this instance, the carrier  10  contains syringes with medications that the individual patient uses on a daily basis. In use, a home care provider enters the house and goes to the location, usually the patient&#39;s bedroom, where medications are stored. The user prepares the medication containing syringes according to the process described above and places the syringes in the carrier  10 . The user wears the bag around the house using the strap  30  and administers medication to the patient as needed. At the end of the user&#39;s shift, the user removes the carrier  10  and leaves it at the house for use by the home care provider working the next shift. When the next home care provider arrives, he or she prepares additional medications, as necessary, and wears the carrier  10  for the duration of the shift. Notably, the carrier  10  remains with the patient and contains only medications for that particular patient. Alternatively, the carrier  10  may be used by a care giver when the home care patient leaves the house. For example, many children attend school or play outdoors. The caregiver could place the day&#39;s medications in the carrier  10  and take the medications with them. Beneficially, the carrier  10  would keep medications safe and clean while the patient is away from home. 
         [0034]    According to a further non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the carrier  10  is modified for use to carry supplies for a baby or small child. In this embodiment, the syringe holders  46  are enlarged to hold items needed while caring for a baby or small child such as a bottle, toys, crayons, etc. The insulation properties of carrier  10  prevent baby formula contained in a bottle from becoming too warm for consumption. Similarly, the exterior pocket  38  is enlarged to hold supplies including, but not limited to, pacifiers, baby wipes, or a diaper pack. 
         [0035]    While specific embodiments of the carrier and method of use thereof have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof. Further, although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.