PharmGuard ®

An Environmental Control System for EMS Pharmaceutical Storage


The PharmGuard ® isystem is a thermoelectric based system for controlling the temperature of EMS drug storage cabinets and containers.

The PharmGuard ® is powered by 12 Volts DC and consumes a maximum of 5 amps or 60 watts of electrical power when running at full output. The PharmGuard® 150 draws 9.8 Amps of current at full output. The PharmGuard ® systems can be supplied with a custom power supply that provides electrical power from both the 120-volt shoreline connection as well as 12 volts DC from the vehicle electrical system. The power supply automatically switches from the shore line power to the vehicle's power supply when the 120-volt AC shoreline is disconnected. Power consumption is significantly lower after the temperature inside the cabinet or container stabilizes.

The PharmGuard ® provides cooling when the ambient temperature exceeds 75º F and maintains the internal temperature of the drug storage container to approximately 75º F or 23º C. When the ambient temperature drops below 59º F or 15º C the system provides controlled heating to maintain the temperature at 59º F or 15º C. When temperatures are between 59º F / 15º C and 75º F / 23º C the system provides only air circulation inside the drug storage cabinet. In this mode of operation the system draws minimal electrical current (< 1/3 amp).

The PharmGuard ® has no user controls. It switches from cooling to heating modes automatically. The system has only one moving part, a small fan to circulate air thru the storage container. Temperature is sensed with a medical grade sensor and  each unit has an integrated digital thermometer for easy temperature monitoring. The system uses an all-solid state design for reliable service and a long life. Proven digital control technologies are utilized to insure accurate temperatures, stability and reliability.

When installed as a retrofit or in a new vehicle, the PharmGuard ® temperature control system can be mounted thru the wall of the drug storage cabinet and is approximately 5.75 inches wide, 6 inches long and 3 inches high, slightly larger than a box of gloves. The PharmGuard ® is designed to control the temperature of a well insulated drug storage cabinet no larger than 3.5 cubic feet. The PharmGuard ® 150 is designed to work with cabinets as large as 7.0 cubic feet in volume. The system is designed to provide temperature control for EMS pharmaceuticals only. If your drug storage cabinets are used to store electronic equipment such as battery chargers, radios, or other heat producing items, these items will need to be stored separately from the pharmaceuticals. The system requires a well-insulated cabinet for proper operation. Do not expect the PharmGuard ® to provide adequate temperature control to an oversized cabinet or one with uninsulated metal or clear acrylic doors.


 

 

Small compact size uses minimum space on your existing drug storage cabinets.

     

Each unit has an integrated digital thermometer for easy monitoring of the temperature

PharmGuard ®  mounted on an EMS Drug Storage Cabinet

     

 

Inside view of an insulated drug storage cabinet. PharmGuard ®  can be seen on side cabinet wall

     

Temperature recordings (Blue) from the inside of an insulated mock up of an ambulance drug storage cabinet compared to the outside ambient air temperature (Red) . Temperature readings were made from June 1, 2002 through August 25, 2002 at 60 minute intervals.

     

Copyright© 2007, Biomedical Equipment & Engineering Services Co.