How do Glucology ® Cooler Bags work?

Glucology^® Cooler Bags are 'evaporative cooling units' designed to keep in-use insulin cool within safe temperatures of 18-28°C (64.4-78.8°F) for up to 36 hours, even in a constant environmental temperature of 37.8°C (100°F).  To activate your Cooler Bag simply soak the inner pouch for 5-10 minutes (depending on which Glucology ® Cooler Bags product you own). The crystals in the inner pouch will become a gel. The water held by the gel will slowly evaporate over 40 hours, cooling the contents of the pouch. The pouch can be 're-activated' or 'topped-up' to provide continuous safe storage conditions for subsequent periods of 40 hours minimum. Note: insulin must be at the manufacturer's recommended temperature before being placed in the Glucology ® Cooler Bag Please check the manufacturer's information leaflet for your specific medication.

Click here to see more of the Glucology Cooler Bag Range.

What temperature do Glucology ®  Cooler Bags maintain?

Glucology ®  Cooler Bags are designed to keep insulin below the maximum recommended temperature of most prescribed doses of insulin - 28˚C 

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How long is 'in-use' Insulin safe in a Glucology ®  Cooler Bag?

28 days - the life of most* 'in-use' insulin. Always make sure to check your manufacturer's information leaflet to confirm the life of your in-use insulin.
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What do I need to do to ensure that my Glucology ® Cooler Bag is working?

Glucology ® Cooler Bags are 'evaporative coolers'.  In order for them to perform properly, it needs to evaporate:

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1.  Activate the inner pouch in water.  You will need to soak the pouch according to the instructions.  The gel formed should fill the panels but should not expand to the point where the panels become rigid.  The activated pouch should remain pliable.  Re-soak the inner pouch when the gel tubes are less "puffy".

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2.  For continuous safe storage, the Glucology ® Cooler Bag inner pouch should be re-immersed in water every 36 hours or sooner if the quantity of gel reduces and starts to return to its crystal form, i.e. crystals can be felt in the panels.  When in continuous use, succeeding immersion periods should be shorter (3-4 minutes) as the crystals are already in gel form.  Do not forget about your Glucology ® Cooler Bag while it is soaking in water as over soaking causes the pouch to become too swollen to be used.  Should this occur, the inner pouch must be allowed to dry naturally until it returns to usable size.

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3. Glucology ® Cooler Bags need to breathe.  As they work by evaporation, they need to be in contact with the air.  Carrying in hand luggage or a pocket is satisfactory.  Do not carry or store in an airtight container after Glucology ® Cooler Bag is activated.
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What is the average lifespan of a Glucology ® Cooler Bag?

We offer a manufacturer's guarantee of 12 months from purchase for every Glucology ® Cooler Bag. However, your Glucology ® Cooler Bag may last for several years, but this will depend on how often it is used and how well it is cared for. Due to varying climatic and environmental conditions around the world, Glucology ® Cooler Bags will respond differently and age accordingly. If activated and used sensibly it will continue to respond to your needs for a long period of time. With age, the length of immersion time will increase but as long as the crystals expand into a gel it will function properly. When the crystals fail to expand, it is time for a replacement.

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Note: Glucology ® Cooler Bags do not keep medication as cold as a fridge would (2-8°C (35.6-46.4°F)), but it does keep medication cool within safe temperatures of 18-26°C (64.4-78.8°F) for 36 hours minimum, even in a constant environmental temperature of 37.8°C (100°F). 

Click here to see more of the Glucology Cooler Bag Range.