Apparatus and method for inducing emergency hypothermia
First Claim
1. A thermoelectric cooler for maintaining intravenous solution, or other appropriate fluid, within a set temperature range for the specific purpose of inducing rapid, point-of-injury, mild-to-moderate hypothermia, comprising:
- an insulated container comprising a storage compartment having two generally parallel end walls, generally parallel top and bottom walls, and a back wall, each of the walls and a door having internally oriented and externally oriented surfaces, the top, bottom, and end walls having front edge surfaces, the storage compartment having an opening in proximity to the front, and a generally rectangular door having at least one horizontally positioned hinge which pivotally attaches the bottom edge of the door to the bottom front edge of the storage compartment, the door in the closed position sealing the opening at the front of the storage compartment, and the storage compartment and the door in the closed position together defining an interior volume of the thermoelectric cooler;
a thermoelectric cooling device for cooling the interior volume of the insulated container, having a cooling element mounted between interior and exterior heat exchangers, each with an associated electrically powered fan;
an electronic control unit with an associated temperature sensor, for detecting and maintaining the temperature of the interior volume within a set temperature range;
a display panel positioned on the insulated container, for enabling the user to control the operation of the cooling device, having an on-off power switch for selectively powering the cooling device, a warning light to indicate when power is on, a warning light to indicate when the temperature of the interior volume is within the set temperature range, and a warning light to indicate when the temperature of the interior volume is outside temperature range; and
a connector jack positioned on the insulated container with an associated power cord to provide electrical power to the thermoelectric cooler by connection to a standard electrical outlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermoelectric cooler for maintaining intravenous (IV) solution within a temperature range of 1° C. to 4° C. for inducing rapid, emergency, point-of-injury, mild-to-moderate hypothermia. The thermoelectric cooler includes a substantially rectangular insulated container with a door extending in a vertical plane on the forward facing container wall and pivoting on a horizontal hinge located on the bottom edge of the door. The container is cooled by a thermoelectric module mounted between two heat exchangers and electrically powered fan assemblies. An electronic control unit controls the thermoelectric cooling module to maintain the interior of the insulated container and the IV solution within the set temperature range. The thermoelectric cooler has an exterior display panel with warning lights to visually communicate to the user if the interior temperature is in or out of range.
44 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A thermoelectric cooler for maintaining intravenous solution, or other appropriate fluid, within a set temperature range for the specific purpose of inducing rapid, point-of-injury, mild-to-moderate hypothermia, comprising:
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an insulated container comprising a storage compartment having two generally parallel end walls, generally parallel top and bottom walls, and a back wall, each of the walls and a door having internally oriented and externally oriented surfaces, the top, bottom, and end walls having front edge surfaces, the storage compartment having an opening in proximity to the front, and a generally rectangular door having at least one horizontally positioned hinge which pivotally attaches the bottom edge of the door to the bottom front edge of the storage compartment, the door in the closed position sealing the opening at the front of the storage compartment, and the storage compartment and the door in the closed position together defining an interior volume of the thermoelectric cooler;
a thermoelectric cooling device for cooling the interior volume of the insulated container, having a cooling element mounted between interior and exterior heat exchangers, each with an associated electrically powered fan;
an electronic control unit with an associated temperature sensor, for detecting and maintaining the temperature of the interior volume within a set temperature range;
a display panel positioned on the insulated container, for enabling the user to control the operation of the cooling device, having an on-off power switch for selectively powering the cooling device, a warning light to indicate when power is on, a warning light to indicate when the temperature of the interior volume is within the set temperature range, and a warning light to indicate when the temperature of the interior volume is outside temperature range; and
a connector jack positioned on the insulated container with an associated power cord to provide electrical power to the thermoelectric cooler by connection to a standard electrical outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of maintaining intravenous solution, or other appropriate fluid, within a temperature range of 1°
- C. to 4°
C., said method for use by an existing user, utilizing a thermoelectric cooler which is easily located in either emergency vehicles or emergency rooms, said thermoelectric cooler having an insulated container having a storage compartment and a lid pivotally attached to the storage compartment, said insulated container having an interior volume, said storage compartment having a bottom, said portable cooler further having a cooling device having associated heat exchangers and fans, said thermoelectric cooler further having a display panel with an on-off power switch, a warning light to indicate when power is on, a warning light to indicate when the temperature of the interior volume is within the set temperature range, and a warning light to indicate when the temperature of the interior volume is outside temperature range, said thermoelectric cooler further having a power connection jack and associated power cord for connection to a standard electrical wall outlet, said insulated container having handles attached thereunto, said method for use in conjunction with an existing horizontal support structure, said method comprising the steps of;
carrying the thermoelectric cooler between locations by the handles of the insulated container;
positioning the thermoelectric cooler in an emergency vehicle or emergency room, supporting the bottom of the portable cooler on the horizontal support structure;
placing at least one bag of intravenous solution or other suitable fluid within the interior volume of the insulated container;
closing and latching the door;
powering the cooling device by installing the power cord and moving the on-off power switch to the on position in order to cool the interior volume of the insulated container;
viewing the in-range temperature warning light;
cooling the intravenous solution to attain the desired temperature;
unlatching and opening the door;
removing at least one bag of intravenous solution or other suitable fluid from the interior volume of the insulated container after it has been cooled; and
administering the bag of intravenous solution or other suitable fluid as a bolus to induce rapid, mild-to-moderate hypothermia in a person suffering brain trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke, or other trauma.
- C. to 4°
Specification