Method and apparatus for monitoring temperature of intravenously delivered fluids and other medical items
First Claim
1. A medical storage device for visually indicating a temperature of a medical item contained therein comprising:
- a receptacle for containing said medical item having a particular temperature range for utilization; and
a temperature sensor disposed in thermal relation with said medical item and including a plurality of temperature sensitive substances each associated with a corresponding temperature range within an overall range of 50°
F.-150°
F., wherein each said substance is responsive to a temperature of said medical item and provides a visual indication of said item temperature when said item temperature is within said corresponding temperature range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion. In addition, the temperature sensing strip may be disposed within thermal treatment system compartments to measure and provide a visual indication of medical item temperatures. Alternatively, the strip may be employed by a stand, plate, receptacle or other structure receiving a medical item or container to provide a temperature measurement and indication as described above. The structure may be a stand-alone unit or may be attached to a thermal treatment or other system to facilitate temperature measurement.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A medical storage device for visually indicating a temperature of a medical item contained therein comprising:
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a receptacle for containing said medical item having a particular temperature range for utilization; and
a temperature sensor disposed in thermal relation with said medical item and including a plurality of temperature sensitive substances each associated with a corresponding temperature range within an overall range of 50°
F.-150°
F., wherein each said substance is responsive to a temperature of said medical item and provides a visual indication of said item temperature when said item temperature is within said corresponding temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A medical device for visually indicating a temperature of a medical item placed therein comprising:
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a receptacle for receiving and securing said medical item within said device, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and
a temperature sensor disposed within said receptacle in thermal relation with said medical item and providing a visual indication of medical item temperature;
wherein said receptacle is configured to force said medical item against said temperature sensor to facilitate temperature measurement. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for facilitating pressurized infusion of liquid from a liquid-filled container through a tube into a patient wherein said liquid-filled container is suspended from a support and said tube extends between said liquid-filled container and said patient, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable pressure device for applying pressure to said liquid-filled container to facilitate flow of liquid from said liquid-filled container through the tube to the patient;
a receptacle for engaging said support and receiving said liquid-filled container and said inflatable pressure device, wherein said receptacle includes a temperature sensor for providing a visual temperature indication of said liquid, and wherein said inflatable pressure device is disposed within said receptacle adjacent said liquid-filled container; and
a pressure controller for regulating fluid pressure within and expansion of said inflatable pressure device to control pressure applied by said inflatable pressure device to said liquid-filled container to generate a desired liquid flow rate from said liquid-filled container to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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26. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising:
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a system housing;
a heating chamber disposed within said housing for receiving at least one medical item and heating said at least one medical item to a desired temperature, wherein said heating chamber includes;
at least one receptacle each for receiving a corresponding medical item and heating said corresponding medical item to said desired temperature;
a temperature sensor disposed in each receptacle in thermal relation with and for providing a temperature indication of a corresponding medical item; and
a heater for applying heat to said receptacle; and
a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for said heating chamber and to control said heater to heat said at least one medical item to said desired temperature.
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29. A method of visually indicating a temperature of a medical item contained in a medical storage device comprising the steps of:
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(a) containing said medical item in a medical storage device receptacle, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and
(b) measuring and providing a visual indication of temperature of said medical item within said receptacle via a temperature sensor disposed in thermal relation with said medical item and including a plurality of temperature sensitive substances each associated with a corresponding temperature range within an overall range of 50°
F.-150°
F., wherein each said substance is responsive to a temperature of said medical item and provides said visual indication when said medical item temperature is within said corresponding temperature range.
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39. A method of visually indicating a temperature of a medical item placed in a medical device comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving and securing said medical item within a receptacle of said device, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and
(b) measuring and providing a visual indication of medical item temperature via a temperature sensor disposed within said receptacle in thermal relation with said medical item, wherein said receptacle is configured to force said medical item against said temperature sensor to facilitate temperature measurement.
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Specification