Warming system and method for heating various items utilized in surgical procedures

• US 20010042743A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, Durward Faries Jr
• Original Assignee: Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, Durward Faries Jr
• Inventors: Faries, Durward I. Jr., Blankenship, Calvin, Heymann, Bruce R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,376,805 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/400
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0241 Apparatus for the preparation of hot packs, hot compresses, cooling pads, e.g. heaters or refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/362 by gas flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/445 the media being heated in the reservoir, e.g. warming bloodbags

Abstract

A surgical warming system heats medical items of various sizes, independently and simultaneously for immediate use. The warming system includes a plurality of compartments, each separately heated and controlled. The compartments may be modular and stackable, or multiple compartments of varying size may be formed into a single cabinet structure so as to receive different sized intravenous bags or bottles. Each compartment is heated by forcing a controlled mix of recycled and outside air through a heating chamber and then into the compartment. Each compartment includes a heating unit and controller allowing the simultaneous maintenance of different temperatures.

Claims

1. A warming system for heating medical items to desired temperatures within an approximate range of 86°

F.-104°

F. prior to using said medical items within medical procedures comprising;

a plurality of individually controllable stand-alone warmer units for heating said medical items to said desired temperatures, wherein each said warmer unit maintains a corresponding desired temperature and includes;

a housing;

a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item to be heated;

a heater disposed proximate said compartment to direct heated air into said compartment to heat said compartment and said at least one medical item contained within said compartment;

a temperature sensor disposed within said compartment to measure temperature in said compartment; and

a controller to facilitate entry of a desired temperature for said compartment and to control said heater to heat said compartment to the entered desired temperature based on the temperature measured by said temperature sensor;

wherein said warming system simultaneously heats said medical items contained within said warmer units to the respective desired temperatures entered for said warmer units.

2. The system of

claim 1

wherein said heater includes:

a heating element; and

a fan to direct air across said heating element to produce said heated air and to direct said heated air into said compartment to heat said compartment and said at least one medical item contained within said compartment.

3. The system of

claim 1

wherein said compartment includes:

a floor plate disposed toward a compartment lower portion and having a first series of openings defined therein to permit said heated air to enter said compartment; and

a ceiling plate disposed toward a compartment upper portion and having a second series of openings defined therein to permit said heated air to exit said compartment;

wherein said first and second series of openings are defined in said respective floor and ceiling plates in particular arrangements to direct said heated air to flow in a converging fashion within said compartment toward said at least one medical item.

4. The system of

claim 2

wherein said each warmer unit further includes:

a plurality of slots to enable outside air to enter that warmer unit, wherein said fan receives a mixture of said outside air and said heated air flowing from said compartment and directs said mixture across said heating element into said compartment.

5. The system of

claim 1

wherein said each warmer unit further includes:

a receptacle including a plurality of containers for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within said compartment, wherein said receptacle is disposed in sliding relation with said compartment to enable said receptacle to be placed within and removed from said compartment.

6. The system of

claim 5

wherein at least one of said plurality of containers is removably secured to said receptacle and interchangeable.

7. The system of

claim 5

wherein said receptacle includes an interior partitioned into said plurality of containers with each said container including sufficient storage capacity to contain said at least one medical item in an upright position.

8. The system of

claim 1

wherein each said warmer unit further includes:

a receptacle including a selectively adjustable interior configuration for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within said compartment, wherein said receptacle interior configuration is selectively adjustable between a single container having a first storage capacity and a plurality of individual containers each having a second storage capacity less than said first storage capacity for containing said at least one medical object within said receptacle.

10. The system of

claim 1

wherein at least one warmer unit heats a medical solution.

9. A warming system for heating items to desired temperatures prior to use within medical procedures comprising:

a plurality of individually controllable warmer units arranged in stacked relation for heating items to desired temperatures, wherein each said warmer unit maintains a corresponding desired temperature assigned to that warmer unit and includes;

a compartment disposed within that warmer unit to receive at least one item to be heated;

a heater disposed proximate said compartment to direct heated air into said compartment to heat said compartment and said at least one item contained within said compartment;

a temperature sensor disposed within said compartment to measure temperature of said compartment;

a controller to control said heater to heat said compartment to the temperature assigned to that warmer unit based on the temperature measured by said temperature sensor;

fastening means disposed on an exterior surface of that warmer unit to interface an adjacent warmer unit; and

at least one receptacle to receive said fastening means of another warmer unit and facilitate securing of said warmer units in stacked relation;

wherein said warming system simultaneously heats items contained within said warmer units to the respective temperatures assigned to said warmer units.

11. A warming cabinet for heating medical items to desired temperatures within an approximate range of 86°

F.-104°

F. prior to using said medical items within medical procedures comprising;

a plurality of individually controllable compartments for heating said medical items to said desired temperatures, wherein each said compartment maintains a corresponding desired temperature and includes;

a heater to direct heated air into that compartment to heat that compartment and at least one medical item contained within that compartment;

air supply means for supplying ambient air from outside said warming cabinet to said heater;

air recycling means for directing re-cycled air from that compartment back to said heater to be heated as necessary;

guide means for directing heated ambient air and re-cycled air from said heater to that compartment;

a temperature sensor disposed within that compartment to measure temperature in that compartment; and

a controller to facilitate entry of a desired temperature for that compartment and to control said heater to heat that compartment to the entered desired temperature based on the temperature measured by said temperature sensor;

wherein said warming cabinet simultaneously heats medical items contained within said compartments to the respective desired temperatures entered for said compartments.

12. The cabinet of

claim 11

wherein said heater includes:

a heating element; and

a fan to direct air across said heating element to produce said heated air and to direct said heated air into that compartment via said guide means to heat that compartment and said at least one medical item contained within that compartment.

13. The cabinet of

claim 11

wherein said each compartment includes:

a floor plate disposed toward a compartment lower portion and having a first series of openings defined therein to permit said heated air to enter that compartment; and

a ceiling plate disposed toward a compartment upper portion and having a second series of openings defined therein to permit said heated air to exit that compartment;

wherein said first and second series of openings are defined in said respective floor and ceiling plates in particular arrangements to direct said heated air to flow in a converging fashion within that compartment toward said at least one medical item.

14. The cabinet of

claim 12

wherein said air supply means includes a plurality of slots to enable said outside air to enter said warming cabinet, wherein said fan of each compartment receives a mixture of said outside air and said re-cycled air flowing from that compartment and directs said mixture across a corresponding heating element into that compartment.

15. The cabinet of

claim 11

wherein said each compartment further includes:

a receptacle including a plurality of containers for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within that compartment, wherein said receptacle is disposed in sliding relation with that compartment to enable said receptacle to be placed within and removed from that compartment.

16. The cabinet of

claim 15

wherein at least one of said plurality of containers is removably secured to said receptacle and interchangeable.

17. The cabinet of

claim 15

wherein said receptacle includes an interior partitioned into said plurality of containers with each said container including sufficient storage capacity to contain said at least one medical item in an upright position.

18. The cabinet of

claim 11

wherein said each compartment further includes:

a receptacle including a selectively adjustable interior configuration for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within that compartment, wherein said receptacle interior configuration is selectively adjustable between a single container having a first storage capacity and a plurality of individual containers each having a second storage capacity less than said first storage capacity for containing said at least one medical object within said receptacle.

19. The cabinet of

claim 11

wherein at least one compartment heats a medical solution.

20. In a warming system having a plurality of individually controllable standalone warmer units wherein each warmer unit includes a warmer unit compartment for receiving at least one medical item, a heater for heating that compartment, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of that compartment and a controller to control the heater, a method of heating medical items to desired temperatures within an approximate range of 86°

F.-104°

F. prior to using said medical items within medical procedures comprising the steps of;

(a) simultaneously heating said medical items to said desired temperatures within at least two of said stand-alone warmer units, wherein step (a) further includes;

(a.1) disposing at least one medical item to be heated within the compartments of said at least two warmer units;

(a.2) entering into the respective controllers of said at least two warmer units a desired temperature corresponding to that warmer unit;

(a.3) directing heated air into the compartments of said at least two warmer units, via the respective heaters, to heat the compartments and said at least one medical item contained within each of the compartments;

(a.4) measuring the temperature of the compartments of said at least two warmer units via the respective temperature sensors; and

(a.5) controlling the heaters of said at least two warmer units, via the respective controllers, to simultaneously heat the compartments to their corresponding desired temperatures based on the compartment temperatures measured by the corresponding temperature sensors.

21. The method of

claim 20

wherein step (a.3) further includes:

(a.3.1) directing air across heating elements of the respective heaters of said at least two warmer units to produce the heated air and directing the heated air into the compartments of said at least two warmer units to heat the compartments and said at least one medical item contained within each of the compartments.

22. The method of

claim 20

wherein each warmer unit compartment includes:

a floor plate disposed toward a compartment lower portion and having a first series of openings defined therein to permit the heated air to enter that warmer unit compartment; and

a ceiling plate disposed toward a compartment upper portion and having a second series of openings defined therein to permit the heated air to exit that warmer unit compartment;

wherein said first and second series of openings within said floor and ceiling plates are configured in a particular arrangement to direct the heated air to flow in a converging fashion within that warmer unit compartment; and

step (a.3) further includes;

(a.3.1) directing the heated air to flow in a converging fashion within the compartments of said at least two warmer units toward said at least one medical item contained within each of the compartments via said configuration of said first and second openings.

23. The method of

claim 21

wherein step (a.3.1) further includes:

(a.3.1.1) mixing heated air flowing from the compartments of said at least two warmer units with outside air to produce respective air mixtures and directing each air mixture across the heating element of the corresponding heater and into the corresponding compartment.

24. The method of

claim 20

wherein each said warmer unit compartment includes a receptacle having a plurality of containers wherein said receptacle is disposed in sliding relation with that warmer unit compartment, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) disposing said at least one medical item within said receptacles of said at least two warmer units; and

(a.1.2) sliding said receptacles within the compartments of said at least two warmer units to secure said at least one medical item within the compartments.

25. The method of

claim 24

wherein at least one of said plurality of containers is removably secured to said receptacle and interchangeable, and step (a.1.1) further includes:

(a.1.1.1) replacing at least one interchangeable container of said receptacle within at least one of said warmer units to contain said at least one medical item.

26. The method of

claim 24

wherein step (a.1.1) further includes:

(a.1.1.1) partitioning an interior of said receptacle within at least one of said warmer units into said plurality of containers with each said container including sufficient storage capacity to contain said at least one medical item in an upright position.

27. The method of

claim 20

wherein each said warmer unit compartment includes a receptacle including a selectively adjustable interior configuration for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within that compartment, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) selectively adjusting said interior configurations of said receptacles within said at least two warmer units;

(a.1.2) disposing said at least one medical item within said receptacles of said at least two warmer units; and

(a.1.3) sliding said receptacles within the compartments of said at least two warmer units to secure said at least one medical item within the compartments.

29. The method of

claim 20

wherein step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) disposing a medical solution within the compartment of at least one warmer unit.

28. In a warming system having a plurality of individually controllable warmer units wherein each warmer unit includes a warmer unit compartment for receiving at least one item, a heater for heating that compartment, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of that compartment, a controller to control the heater, fastening means disposed on an exterior surface of that warmer unit to interface an adjacent warmer unit and at least one receptacle to receive a fastening means of another warmer unit, a method of heating items to desired temperatures prior to use within medical procedures comprising the steps of:

(a) arranging said warmer units in stacked relation by interfacing adjacent warmer units via said fastening means and said at least one receptacle;

(b) simultaneously heating said items to said desired temperatures within at least two of said warmer units, wherein step (b) further includes;

(b.1) disposing at least one item to be heated within the compartments of said at least two warmer units;

(b.2) assigning a desired temperature to each of said at least two warmer units;

(b.3) directing heated air into the compartments of said at least two warmer units, via the respective heaters, to heat the compartments and said at least one item contained within each of the compartments;

(b.4) measuring the temperature of the compartments of said at least two warmer units via the respective temperature sensors; and

(b.5) controlling the heaters of said at least two warmer units, via the respective controllers, to simultaneously heat the compartments to their corresponding assigned temperatures based on the compartment temperatures measured by the corresponding temperature sensors.

30. In a warming cabinet having a plurality of individually controllable compartments wherein each warming cabinet compartment includes a heater for heating that compartment, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of that compartment and a controller to control the heater, a method of heating medical items to desired temperatures within an approximate range of 86°

F.-104°

F. prior to using said medical items within medical procedures comprising the steps of;

(a) simultaneously heating said medical items to said desired temperatures within at least two warming cabinet compartments, wherein step (a) further includes;

(a.1) disposing at least one medical item to be heated within said at least two warming cabinet compartments;

(a.2) entering into the respective controllers of said at least two warming cabinet compartments a desired temperature corresponding to that compartment;

(a.3) directing heated air into said at least two warming cabinet compartments, via the respective heaters, to heat the compartments and said at least one medical item contained within each of the compartments;

(a.4) supplying ambient air from outside said warming cabinet to the respective heaters of said at least two warming cabinet compartments;

(a.5) directing re-cycled air from said at least two warming cabinet compartments back to their corresponding heaters to be heated as necessary;

(a.6) directing heated ambient air and re-cycled air to said at least two warming cabinet compartments from their corresponding heaters;

(a.7) measuring the temperature of said at least two warming cabinet compartments via the respective temperature sensors; and

(a.8) controlling the heaters of said at least two warming cabinet compartments, via the respective controllers, to simultaneously heat the compartments to their corresponding desired temperatures based on the compartment temperatures measured by the corresponding temperature sensors.

31. The method of

claim 30

wherein step (a.3) further includes:

(a.3.1) directing air across heating elements of the respective heaters of said at least two warming cabinet compartments to produce the heated air and directing the heated air into said at least two warming cabinet compartments to heat the compartments and said at least one medical item contained within each of the compartments.

32. The method of

claim 30

wherein each warming cabinet compartment includes:

a floor plate disposed toward a compartment lower portion and having a first series of openings defined therein to permit the heated air to enter that warming cabinet compartment; and

a ceiling plate disposed toward a compartment upper portion and having a second series of openings defined therein to permit the heated air to exit that warming cabinet compartment;

wherein said first and second series of openings within said floor and ceiling plates are configured in a particular arrangement to direct the heated air to flow in a converging fashion within that warming cabinet compartment; and

step (a.3) further includes;

(a.3.1) directing the heated air to flow in a converging fashion within said at least two warming cabinet compartments toward said at least one medical item contained within each of the compartments via said configuration of said first and second openings.

33. The method of

claim 30

wherein each said warming cabinet compartment includes a receptacle having a plurality of containers wherein said receptacle is disposed in sliding relation with that warming cabinet compartment, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) disposing said at least one medical item within said receptacles of said at least two warming cabinet compartments; and

(a.1.2) sliding said receptacles within said at least two warming cabinet compartments to secure said at least one medical item within the compartments.

34. The method of

claim 33

wherein at least one of said plurality of containers is removably secured to said receptacle and interchangeable, and step (a.1.1) further includes:

(a.1.1.1) replacing at least one interchangeable container of said receptacle within at least one of said warming cabinet compartments to contain said at least one medical item.

35. The method of

claim 33

wherein step (a.1.1) further includes:

(a.1.1.1) partitioning an interior of said receptacle within at least one of said warming cabinet compartments into said plurality of containers with each said container including sufficient storage capacity to contain said at least one medical item in an upright position.

36. The method of

claim 30

wherein each said warming cabinet compartment includes a receptacle including a selectively adjustable interior configuration for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within that warming cabinet compartment, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) selectively adjusting said interior configurations of said receptacles within said at least two warming cabinet compartments;

(a.1.2) disposing said at least one medical item within said receptacles of said at least two warming cabinet compartments; and

(a.1.3) sliding said receptacles within said at least two warming cabinet compartments to secure said at least one medical item within the compartments.

37. The method of

claim 30

wherein step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) disposing a medical solution within at least one warming cabinet compartment.

38. A warming system for heating medical items to desired temperatures within an approximate range of 86°

F.-104°

F. prior to using said medical items within medical procedures comprising;

a housing;

a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item to be heated;

a heater disposed proximate said compartment to direct heated air into said compartment to heat said compartment and said at least one medical item contained within said compartment;

air supply means for supplying ambient air from outside said warming system to said heater;

air recycling means for directing re-cycled air from said compartment back to said heater to be heated as necessary;

guide means for directing heated ambient air and re-cycled air from said heater to said compartment;

a temperature sensor disposed within said compartment to measure temperature in said compartment; and

a controller to facilitate entry of a desired temperature for said compartment and to control said heater to heat said compartment to the entered desired temperature based on the temperature measured by said temperature sensor.

39. The warming system of

claim 38

further including:

a receptacle including a plurality of containers for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within said compartment, wherein said receptacle is disposed in sliding relation with said compartment to enable said receptacle to be placed within and removed from said compartment.

40. The warming system of

claim 39

wherein at least one of said plurality of containers is removably secured to said receptacle and interchangeable.

41. The warming system of

claim 39

wherein said receptacle includes an interior partitioned into said plurality of containers with each said container including sufficient storage capacity to contain said at least one medical item in an upright position.

42. The warming system of

claim 38

further including:

a receptacle including a selectively adjustable interior configuration for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within said compartment, wherein said receptacle interior configuration is selectively adjustable between a single container having a first storage capacity and a plurality of individual containers each having a second storage capacity less than said first storage capacity for containing said at least one medical object within said receptacle.

43. In a warming system having a compartment for receiving at least one medical item, a heater for heating said compartment, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of said compartment and a controller to control the heater, a method of heating medical items to desired temperatures within an approximate range of 86°

F.-104°

F. prior to using said medical items within medical procedures comprising the steps of;

(a) heating said medical items to said desired temperatures within said warming system compartment, wherein step (a) further includes;

(a.1) disposing at least one medical item to be heated within said compartment;

(a.2) entering into the controller a desired temperature for the compartment;

(a.3) directing heated air into the compartment, via the heater, to heat the compartment and said at least one medical item contained within the compartment;

(a.4) supplying ambient air from outside said warming system to the heater;

(a.5) directing re-cycled air from said compartment back to the heater to be heated as necessary;

(a.6) directing heated ambient air and re-cycled air from the heater to the compartment;

(a.7) measuring the temperature of said compartment via the temperature sensor; and

(a.8) controlling the heater, via the controller, to heat the compartment to the entered desired temperature based on the compartment temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

44. The method of

claim 43

wherein said warming system further includes a receptacle having a plurality of containers wherein said receptacle is disposed in sliding relation with the compartment, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) disposing said at least one medical item within said receptacle; and

(a.1.2) sliding said receptacle within said compartment to secure said at least one medical item within the compartment.

45. The method of

claim 44

wherein at least one of said plurality of containers is removably secured to said receptacle and interchangeable, and step (a.1.1) further includes:

(a.1.1.1) replacing at least one interchangeable container of said receptacle to contain said at least one medical item.

46. The method of

claim 44

wherein step (a.1.1) further includes:

(a.1.1.1) partitioning an interior of said receptacle into said plurality of containers with each said container including sufficient storage capacity to contain said at least one medical item in an upright position.

47. The method of

claim 43

wherein said warming system further includes a receptacle having a selectively adjustable interior configuration for receiving and securing said at least one medical item within the compartment, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) selectively adjusting said interior configuration of said receptacle;

(a.1.2) disposing said at least one medical item within said receptacle; and

(a.1.3) sliding said receptacle within said compartment to secure said at least one medical item within the compartment.