The Problem

Diseases like polio, which has been eradicated in many countries through vaccination, are still prominent in parts of the developing world. Among the barriers to vaccination in these areas is the sensitive nature of the vaccines themselves, which must be kept at a precise temperature from manufacture to use to prevent spoiling. Poor infrastructure and unreliable power limit the reach of this cold chain, which hinders vaccination efforts

Our Approach

Develop a storage unit that keeps vaccines at the appropriate temperature for months with repeated vaccine retrievals and no external energy input.

The Invention

Super insulation techniques have been used to help store cryogenic fluids and protect spacecraft from the high and low temperatures of outer space. Using similar principles, Intellectual Ventures developed an insulated container optimized for vaccine storage that can maintain the necessary temperature for months using only ice. Vaccines can then be retrieved as needed without jeopardizing the remaining vials and the insulated container can remain in the field for repeated use.