Medical solution warming system and method of heating and maintaining medical solutions at desired temperatures

• US 20030000939A1
• Filed: 02/15/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medical Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Medical Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Faries, Durward I. Jr., Blankenship, Calvin, Heymann, Bruce R., Hendrix, David
• Granted Patent: US 6,768,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/497
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/445 the media being heated in the reservoir, e.g. warming bloodbags

Abstract

A temperature controlled system according to the present invention includes a housing with a compartment defined therein that includes a heating assembly with a generally ‘U’-shaped heating plate and corresponding heater. The heating plate is configured to evenly distribute heat to a medical item (e.g., a medical solution container, etc.) placed thereon, while a limit switch facilitates control of heater actuation in response to placement of a medical item on the heating plate. A controller facilitates entry of desired temperatures and controls the heating assembly based on a comparison of the desired temperature with a temperature of the medical item measured by a temperature sensor. The system housing may further include a storage compartment for receiving and retaining medical items prior to being heated within the heating compartment.

Claims

1. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising:

a system housing;

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

a heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment to support and distribute heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon;

a switching device to enable said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly; and

a controller to control a thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to a desired temperature.

2. The temperature control system of claim 1, further including a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item, wherein said controller facilitates entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item and controls said thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensor.

3. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said switching device autonomously enables said heating assembly when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly and autonomously disables said heating assembly when said at least one medical item is removed from said heating assembly.

4. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said switching device includes a sensing device to sense when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly.

5. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said switching device includes a pressure sensitive switch to sense when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly.

6. The temperature control system of claim 2, wherein said temperature sensor is disposed in proximity to said heating assembly to directly contact said at least one medical item disposed on said heating assembly.

7. The temperature control system of claim 2, wherein said temperature sensor is disposed on said switching device to directly contact said at least one medical item and to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly.

8. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said heating assembly includes:

a heating plate to support and distribute heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

a heater affixed and applying heat to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heating plate.

9. The temperature control system of claim 8, wherein said heating plate includes a generally U-shaped configuration with said at least one primary conducting wall including a thermally conductive bottom wall and said at least one secondary conducting wall including a plurality of thermally conductive side walls extending from said bottom wall, and wherein said heater is affixed to said bottom wall.

10. The temperature control system of claim 9, wherein said switching device includes a flexible arm extending along an underside portion of said bottom wall, and said bottom wall includes an opening aligned with said flexible arm to allow an engaging portion of said flexible arm to extend through said opening to engage said at least one medical item when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating plate.

11. The temperature control system of claim 10, wherein said flexible arm is movable in a direction away from said bottom wall to close said switching device and enable said heater when said at least one medical item engages said engaging portion of said flexible arm, and said flexible arm is resiliently biased toward said bottom wall to open said switching device and disable said heater when said at least one medical item is removed from said heating plate.

12. The temperature control system of claim 1, further including a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment to receive and retain medical items to be heated.

13. The temperature control system of claim 12, further including:

a storage port to provide access to said storage compartment to facilitate insertion and removal of said medical items within said storage compartment; and

a heating port to provide access to said heating compartment to facilitate insertion and removal of said at least one medical item within said heating compartment.

15. The temperature control system of claim 14, further including a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item, wherein said controller facilitates entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item and controls said thermal output of said heater to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensor.

16. The temperature control system of claim 14, further including a switching device to enable said heater in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating plate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.

     1) facilitating entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item; and

step (c) further includes;

(c.1) measuring a temperature of said at least one medical item; and

(c.2) controlling said thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said measured temperature.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) autonomously enabling said heating assembly when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly; and

(b.2) autonomously disabling said heating assembly when said at least one medical item is removed from said heating assembly.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) sensing when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly via a sensing device.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) sensing when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly via a pressure sensitive switch.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein step (c.1) further includes:

(c.1.1) measuring said temperature of said at least one medical item via a temperature sensor disposed in proximity to said heating assembly and in direct contact with said at least one medical item disposed on said heating assembly.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) enabling said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item, via a switching device, in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly; and

step (c.1) further includes;

(c.1.1) measuring said temperature of said at least one medical item when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly via a temperature sensor disposed on said switching device and in direct contact with said at least one medical item.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein said heating assembly includes a heating plate and a heater, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed on said heating plate, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

(b.2) applying heat from said heater to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heating plate.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein step (b.1) further includes:

(b.1.1) supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed on said heating plate, wherein said heating plate includes a generally U-shaped configuration with said at least one primary conducting wall including a thermally conductive bottom wall and said at least one secondary conducting wall including a plurality of thermally conductive side walls extending from said bottom wall, and wherein said heater is affixed to said bottom wall.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein said temperature control system further includes a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) receiving and retaining medical items to be heated within said storage compartment.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said temperature control system further includes a storage port to provide access to said storage compartment and a heating port to provide access to said heating compartment, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) facilitating insertion and removal of said medical items within said storage compartment via said storage port; and

(a.1.2) facilitating insertion and removal of said at least one medical item within said heating compartment via said heating port.

29. The temperature control system of claim 28, wherein said heating means includes:

heat distribution means for supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon, wherein said heat distribution means includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

heat supply means affixed and for applying heat to said heat distribution means, wherein said heat supply means is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heat supply means and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heat distribution means.

30. The temperature control system of claim 28, further including a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment to receive and retain medical items to be heated.

31. The temperature control system of claim 28, wherein said desired temperature is within an approximate temperature range of 80°

F. to 150°

F. and said heating means heats said at least one medical item to said desired temperature within a one hour time interval.

32. The temperature control system of claim 28, further including temperature sensing means for measuring a temperature of said at least one medical item, wherein said control means facilitates entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item and controls said thermal output of said heating means to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensing means.

33. The temperature control system of claim 32, wherein said temperature sensing means is disposed on said switching means to directly contact said at least one medical item and to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating means.

34. The temperature control system of claim 32, further including limit switching means for measuring a temperature associated with said heating means and disabling said heating means when said temperature measured by said limit switching means exceeds a predetermined threshold.

35. The temperature control system of claim 32, further including limit temperature means for measuring a temperature associated with said heating means, wherein said control means disables said heating means when said temperature measured by said limit temperature means exceeds a predetermined threshold.

36. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said desired temperature is within an approximate temperature range of 80°

F. to 150°

F. and said heating assembly heats said at least one medical item to said desired temperature within a one hour time interval.

37. The temperature control system of claim 2, further including a limit switching device to measure a temperature associated with said heating assembly and disable said heating assembly when said temperature measured by said limit switching device exceeds a predetermined threshold.

38. The temperature control system of claim 2, further including a limit temperature sensor to measure a temperature associated with said heating assembly, wherein said controller disables said heating assembly when said temperature measured by said limit temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

39. The temperature control system of claim 14, wherein said desired temperature is within an approximate temperature range of 80°

F. to 150°

F. and said heating assembly heats said at least one medical item to said desired temperature within a one hour time interval.

40. The temperature control system of claim 15, further including a limit switching device to measure a temperature associated with said heater and disable said heater when said temperature measured by said limit switching device exceeds a predetermined threshold.

41. The temperature control system of claim 15, further including a limit temperature sensor to measure a temperature associated with said heater, wherein said controller disables said heater when said temperature measured by said limit temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

42. The method of claim 17, wherein said desired temperature is within an approximate temperature range of 80°

F. to 150°

F., and step (c) further includes;

(c.

     1) controlling said thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said desired temperature within a one hour time interval.

43. The method of claim 18, wherein step (c.1) further includes:

(c.1.1) measuring a temperature associated with said heating assembly; and

step (c.2) further includes;

(c.2.1) disabling said heating assembly when said temperature associated with said heating assembly exceeds a predetermined threshold.

14. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising:

a system housing;

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

a heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment to heat said at least one medical item, wherein said heating assembly includes;

a heating plate to support and distribute heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

a heater affixed and applying heat to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heating plate; and

a controller to control a thermal output of said heater to heat said at least one medical item to a desired temperature.

17. In a temperature control system including a system housing, a heating compartment disposed within said housing and a heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment, a method of heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving said at least one medical item on said heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment;

(b) enabling said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly; and

(c) controlling a thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to a desired temperature.

28. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising:

a system housing;

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

heating means disposed within said heating compartment for supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon;

switching means for enabling said heating means to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating means; and

control means for controlling a thermal output of said heating means to heat said at least one medical item to a desired temperature.

44. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures within an operating room comprising:

a system housing configured for placement within said operating room;

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

a heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment to support and distribute heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon; and

a controller to control a thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item within said operating room to a desired temperature within a one hour time interval, wherein said desired temperature resides within an approximate range of 80°

F. to 150°

F.

45. The temperature control system of claim 44, further including a switching device to enable said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly.

46. The temperature control system of claim 44, wherein said heating assembly includes:

a heating plate to support and distribute heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

a heater affixed and applying heat to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heating plate.

47. The temperature control system of claim 44, further including a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment to receive and retain medical items to be heated.

48. The temperature control system of claim 44, further including a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item, wherein said controller facilitates entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item and controls said thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensor.

49. The temperature control system of claim 48, further including a switching device to enable said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly;

wherein said temperature sensor is disposed on said switching device to directly contact said at least one medical item and to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly.

50. The temperature control system of claim 48, further including a limit switching device to measure a temperature associated with said heating assembly and disable said heating assembly when said temperature measured by said limit switching device exceeds a predetermined threshold.

51. The temperature control system of claim 48, further including a limit temperature sensor to measure a temperature associated with said heating assembly, wherein said controller disables said heating assembly when said temperature measured by said limit temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

52. In a temperature control system including a system housing configured for placement within an operating room, a heating compartment disposed within said housing and a heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment, a method of heating medical items to desired temperatures within said operating room comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving said at least one medical item on said heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment; and

(b) controlling a thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item within said operating room to a desired temperature within a one hour time interval, wherein said desired temperature resides within an approximate range of 80°

F. to 150°

F.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) enabling said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein said heating assembly includes a heating plate and a heater, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed on said heating plate, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

(b.2) applying heat from said heater to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heating plate.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein said temperature control system further includes a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) receiving and retaining medical items to be heated within said storage compartment.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) facilitating entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item; and

step (b) further includes;

(b.1) measuring a temperature of said at least one medical item; and

(b.2) controlling said thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said measured temperature.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein step (b.2) further includes:

(b.2.1) enabling said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item, via a switching device, in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly; and

(b.2.2) measuring said temperature of said at least one medical item when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating assembly via a temperature sensor disposed on said switching device and in direct contact with said at least one medical item.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein step (b.2) further includes:

(b.2.1) measuring a temperature associated with said heating assembly via a limit switching device; and

(b.2.2) disabling said heating assembly when said temperature associated with said heating assembly exceeds a predetermined threshold.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein step (b.2) further includes:

(b.2.1) measuring a temperature associated with said heating assembly via a limit temperature sensor; and

(b.2.2) disabling said heating assembly when said temperature associated with said heating assembly exceeds a predetermined threshold.

60. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures within an operating room comprising:

a system housing configured for placement within said operating room;

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

heating means disposed within said heating compartment for supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon; and

control means for controlling a thermal output of said heating means to heat said at least one medical item within said operating room to a desired temperature within a one hour time interval, wherein said desired temperature resides within an approximate range of 80°

F. to 150°

F.

61. The temperature control system of claim 60, further including switching means to enable said heating means to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating means.

62. The temperature control system of claim 60, wherein said heating means includes:

heat distribution means for supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon, wherein said heat distribution means includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

heat supply means affixed and for applying heat to said heat distribution means, wherein said heat supply means is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heat supply means and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heat distribution means.

63. The temperature control system of claim 60, further including a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment to receive and retain medical items to be heated.

64. The temperature control system of claim 60, further including temperature sensing means for measuring a temperature of said at least one medical item, wherein said control means facilitates entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item and controls said thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensing means.

65. The temperature control system of claim 64, further including switching means for enabling said heating means to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating means;

wherein said temperature sensing means is disposed on said switching means to directly contact said at least one medical item and to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item when said at least one medical item is disposed on said heating means.

66. The temperature control system of claim 64, further including limit switching means for measuring a temperature associated with said heating means and disabling said heating means when said temperature measured by said limit switching means exceeds a predetermined threshold.

67. The temperature control system of claim 64, further including limit temperature means for measuring a temperature associated with said heating means, wherein said control means disables said heating means when said temperature measured by said limit temperature means exceeds a predetermined threshold.

69. The temperature control system of claim 68, further including a switching device to enable said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly.

70. The temperature control system of claim 69, wherein at least one of said temperature sensor and said limit temperature sensor are disposed on said switching device.

71. The temperature control system of claim 68, wherein said heating assembly includes:

a heating plate to support and distribute heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

a heater affixed and applying heat to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heating plate.

72. The temperature control system of claim 68, further including a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment to receive and retain medical items to be heated.

73. The temperature control system of claim 68, wherein said desired temperature is within an approximate temperature range of 80°

F. to 150°

F. and said heating assembly heats said at least one medical item to said desired temperature within a one hour time interval.

68. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising:

a system housing;

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

a heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment to support and distribute heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon;

a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of said at least one medical item;

a limit temperature sensor to measure a temperature associated with said heating assembly; and

a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item and to control a thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensor, wherein said controller disables said heating assembly when said temperature measured by said limit temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

74. In a temperature control system including a system housing, a heating compartment disposed within said housing and a heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment, a method of heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving said at least one medical item on said heating assembly disposed within said heating compartment and facilitating entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item;

(b) measuring a temperature of said at least one medical item via a temperature sensor;

(c) measuring a temperature associated with said heating assembly via a limit temperature sensor; and

(d) controlling a thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensor and disabling said heating assembly when said temperature measured by said limit temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein step (d) further includes:

(d.1) enabling said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating assembly.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein said heating assembly includes a heating plate and a heater, and step (d) further includes:

(d.1) supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed on said heating plate, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

(d.2) applying heat from said heater to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heating plate.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein said temperature control system further includes a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) receiving and retaining medical items to be heated within said storage compartment.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein said desired temperature is within an approximate temperature range of 80°

F. to 150°

F., and step (d) further includes;

(d.1) controlling said thermal output of said heating assembly to heat said at least one medical item to said desired temperature within a one hour time interval.

80. The temperature control system of claim 79, further including switching means for enabling said heating means to heat said at least one medical item in response to detection of the presence of said at least one medical item on said heating means.

81. The temperature control system of claim 80, wherein at least one of said temperature sensing means and said limit temperature means are disposed on said switching means.

82. The temperature control system of claim 79, wherein said heating means includes:

heat distribution means for supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon, wherein said heat distribution means includes at least one primary conducting wall and at least one secondary conducting wall; and

heat supply means affixed and for applying heat to said heat distribution means, wherein said heat supply means is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting wall to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting wall is coupled to said at least one primary conducting wall receiving said heat supply means and receives said applied heat through conduction from said selected portions, and wherein said primary and secondary conducting walls distribute heat in a substantially uniform manner to said at least one medical item disposed on said heat distribution means.

83. The temperature control system of claim 79, further including a storage compartment within said housing coupled to said heating compartment to receive and retain medical items to be heated.

84. The temperature control system of claim 79, wherein said desired temperature is within an approximate temperature range of 80°

F. to 150°

F. and said heating means heats said at least one medical item to said desired temperature within a one hour time interval.

79. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising:

a system housing;

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

heating means disposed within said heating compartment for supporting and distributing heat to said at least one medical item placed thereon;

temperature sensing means for measuring a temperature of said at least one medical item;

limit temperature means for measuring a temperature associated with said heating means; and

control means for facilitating entry of said desired temperature for said at least one medical item and for controlling a thermal output of said heating means to heat said at least one medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said temperature sensing means, wherein said control means disables said heating means when said temperature measured by said limit temperature means exceeds a predetermined threshold.