![\"ClimaPak\"](\"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/ClimaPac1.jpg\" "\\"ClimaPak\\"")
<\/a>Climapak is eight inches tall, five inches wide, and three inches across. It weighs 22 ounces and holds either two vials of insulin, two insulin pens, or oone vial and one pen. It fits in a purse, handbag, or backpack.<\/p>\nCurious to learn more about this product and its development, I talked to Shayne O\u2019Sullivan of Kewl Innovations about Climapak.<\/p>\n
What’s the story behind ClimaPak? \u00a0Why did you decide to develop the product? \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The idea for ClimaPak started when the founder of Kewl Innovations, Mike Wilkinson, a type 2 diabetic, took a weekend trip to a boat show. Upon checking into his hotel, he was informed that there were no rooms with refrigerators available, even though he had requested one.\u00a0 By this time the ice pack he had traveled with was melted, and with no place to refreeze it and nowhere to store his insulin he had that \u2018Ahh Haa!\u2019 moment. Being an engineer who specializes in product development, Mike took to solving his own problem which lead to the start of Kewl Innovations<\/a> and the development of ClimaPak.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n How long has ClimaPak been in the works? \u00a0Was it a long development process?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The development process has been quite rigorous. It stared in 2008 and there were a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the technology needed for portable climate control. The ClimaPak needed to be safe, reliable, affordable, and compact enough for people to integrate into their real lives. We wanted to craft a product that truly meets the needs of the folks that use it. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve taken our time developing it. We realized that it\u2019s not just sound technology that makes something useful. Yes, our technology is capable of solving the problem, but there are so many little nuances to address when it comes to designing a product for diabetes. And while our primary objective has been to safely maintain the temperature of insulin, we had to create a solution that fits in with the rest of the diabetes management routine. That\u2019s what ClimaPak offers.<\/p>\n How does Climapak function? \u00a0Can you tell us about the technology?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n ClimaPak uses an electrical charge to direct thermal energy away or towards the insulin stored inside.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t use fans or any other moving parts.\u00a0 If you look at the pictures, you\u2019ll see a rigged black piece sitting under the zigzagging grill. The ClimaPak sends the heat into that black piece, and then disperses it into the air. When you reverse the current the opposite happens and the ClimaPak will actually warm your insulin, which could come in handy on the ski slopes, or during those harsh winter months.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve also optimized battery life by programming the ClimaPak to operate within the prescribed window of temperature ranges for insulin (44-77 degrees F or 44-86 degrees F).\u00a0 Thus, we let the user set their ClimaPak to match their insulin, and then allow fluctuation of temperature within the range that is permitted safe.<\/p>\n What kind of test trials have you done?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Our founder, who has type 2 diabetes, has been a great guinea pig for us.\u00a0 He\u2019s been using an earlier prototype for a couple of years now.\u00a0 He\u2019s taken it through airport security, overseas, on camping trips, everywhere.\u00a0 We have a great shot of his prototype sitting in a beach chair in Saint Lucia! His experience has been extremely valuable in designing something that fits into the everyday life of someone living with diabetes.<\/p>\n Aside from our founder, we\u2019ve done an extensive amount of research. We\u2019ve done focus groups, surveyed people with diabetes, talked with diabetes educators and endocrinologists.\u00a0 Consistently we\u2019ve seen that people are aware of the issue regarding proper storage for their insulin, but aren\u2019t satisfied with the existing solutions that address the issue.<\/p>\n If ClimaPak were to malfunction, is there something to alert the user that the insulin may have been damaged<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n Absolutely.\u00a0 Every ClimaPak has a digital display that tells the user the temperature of their insulin, remaining battery life, and sends an alert when their insulin is approaching critical temperature levels and when their battery is close to running out.<\/p>\n Is ClimaPak shock-proof? \u00a0Waterproof? \u00a0What happens if I drop it? \u00a0Does it protect the insulin vial inside?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n ClimaPak has no moving parts, which means it\u2019s sturdy.\u00a0 The insulin pens and vials are suspended within the cooling chamber, which offers protecting from bumping against the inner walls of the chamber.\u00a0 We\u2019re also developing a carrying case to offer further protection and allow users to stow the rest of their diabetes supplies alongside their ClimaPak.<\/p>\n Climapak is battery operated. \u00a0How often does the user need to recharge the battery?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n It really depends on how you are using it.\u00a0 In optimum conditions the ClimaPak will stay charged for 3-5 days.\u00a0 If you take it into extreme heat, it has to work harder, and the battery life shortens.\u00a0 We\u2019ve designed it to get a full day of use even in the most extreme conditions<\/p>\n Do you see Climapak as a product for all diabetics or only for hikers, bikers, sailors?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n We believe the ClimaPak is a crucial tool for practically anyone who uses insulin.\u00a0 While activities like hiking, biking, camping, and sailing, are perfect applications for the technology, ClimaPak is designed to fit into the everyday diabetes management routine.\u00a0 Insulin will start to degrade if it goes above 77 degrees F or 86 degrees F (depending on the type of insulin) those thresholds are surprisingly easy to push.\u00a0 For starters, our bodies are 96 degrees F, which means keeping insulin in your pocket is totally out of the question. Then you think about storing it in a backpack or purse, but those actually act as incubators especially when placed next to your body or out in the sun, they quickly go beyond the safe temperature range.<\/p>\n So it\u2019s not just hiking and biking, etc.\u00a0 It\u2019s the everyday stuff; running errands, going to work, watching your kids play sports.\u00a0 Without a ClimaPak, you\u2019re either tied to a refrigerator, or you have to use a basic solution like ice or frozen gel packs.\u00a0 Those things are very limited and require time, effort and planning, which only adds to the chaos of managing diabetes.\u00a0 The ClimaPak allows you to solve one piece of the puzzle, without making things more complicated.<\/p>\n Can Climapak be used for medications other than insulin?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n There are lots\u2026 certain vaccines, adrenaline, interferons, antivenoms, human growth hormones (HGH), coagulation factors, monoclonal antibodies, thyroid hormones, epipens, and medically-assisted procreation agents.\u00a0 Basically anything that comes in a vial or pen, and needs to stay in a range of 44-77 or 44-86 degrees F.<\/p>\n ClimaPak costs $199. Why is it so expensive? \u00a0Production cost? \u00a0Do you think you’ll be able to create a more affordable version?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The ClimaPak is very unique.\u00a0 It\u2019s a totally customized solution, and there really isn\u2019t anything out there to compare it to.\u00a0 Coolers and ice packs are obviously cheaper but the technology of a ClimaPak offers a far more advanced solution.\u00a0 It\u2019s consistent, long lasting, reliable, and rechargeable.\u00a0 It saves you time and provides peace of mind that other solutions can\u2019t.<\/p>\n Furthermore, we\u2019ve talked to many diabetes educators who routinely instruct their clients to throw away insulin, because it may have spoiled due to temperature. At $100 a vial, that gets expensive really quick.\u00a0 ClimaPak eliminates the risk of damage from temperature, so you won\u2019t have to throw away any more vials or pens.\u00a0 Plus, we believe there is a lot of value in saving people time and energy.\u00a0 Instead of spending time freezing gel packs, or packing a cooler, you can focus on the more immediate factors of managing diabetes.<\/p>\n Climapak<\/strong> is available for pre-order<\/a><\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/a>