Thermal packaging system for blood and organs
The present invention is an apparatus, method and system to thermally package an item having at least one container ( 100 ) substantially filled with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol undergoes a phase change.
1. A process for maintaining blood or organs during shipment at about 2° C. to 8° C., comprising:
substantially filling at least one first container with a eutectic solution consisting essentially of substantially pure 1-decanol;
placing said first container either adjacent to or inside of a second container containing the blood or organs; and
placing the first and second containers inside a third container.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein several first containers are placed adjacent to or inside of the second container.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein the second container is a plastic bag which may or may not be sealed.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein the third container has insulating properties.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth containers are reusable.
6. The process of claim 1 further including placing at least one absorbing pad between said second container and said blood or organs.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein the first container is a blanket having several cells which are substantially filled with the eutectic solution.
8. The process of claim 1 wherein said eutectic solution is said eutectic solution is about 98% 1-decanol.
9. The process of claim 8 wherein said eutectic solution is about 98.7% 1-decanol, about 0.5% 1-octanol, and about 0.09% moisture.
10. The process of claim 1 further including a fourth container surrounding the third container.
11. The process of claim 10 wherein the fourth container is sealed.
12. The process of claim 10 wherein said fourth container further comprises an insulating material surrounding an inner periphery of said fourth container.
13. The process of claim 10 wherein said fourth container further comprises at least one first container surrounding an inner periphery of said fourth container.
14. The process of claim 10 wherein the fourth container is sealed with a lid.
15. The process of claim 1 further including mating each of said at least one first containers.
16. The process of claim 15 wherein the first containers are thermal packs which are releasably mated.
17. The process of claim 16 wherein the releasable mating of the thermal packs comprises a releasable lock.
18. The process of claim 16 wherein the releasable mating of the thermal packs comprises a flexible lock.
19. The process of claim 1 wherein the third container is sealed with a lid.
20. The process of claim 19 wherein said lid is positioned on top of the third container.