Open access sleeve for heated fluid units

• US 20060289016A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C Change Surgical LLC
• Original Assignee: C Change Surgical LLC
• Inventors: Kammer, Patrick, Rackers, Kevin Joseph, Cassidy, Todd, Martel, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/849
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0018 Electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/445 the media being heated in the reservoir, e.g. warming bloodbags
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1909 whose output amplitude can only take two discrete values
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1931 to control the temperature of one space
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/20 with sensing elements having variation of electric or magnetic properties with change of temperature G05D23/13 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/22 the sensing element being a thermocouple

Abstract

A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Claims

1. A liquid warming device for maintaining fluids used in the provision of medical treatment at a temperature above ambient air temperature, the liquid warming device comprising:

a first heating element adapted to apply heat to a volume of liquid to maintain the volume of liquid at approximately a target temperature, the liquid warming device adapted to be used with a volume of liquid that is not fully enclosed so that the volume of liquid can be readily accessed by someone providing medical treatment;

at least one access sleeve located within the liquid warming device, the access sleeve open to ambient air at an open end and closed at an opposite end, the opposite end connected to the open end by a set of one or more walls running from the open end to the opposite end, and

a second heating element in thermal contact with at least a portion of the set of walls of the at least one access sleeve, the second heating element responsive to a control system.

2. The liquid warming device of claim 1 further comprising a first temperature sensing device in data communication with the control system used to regulate the operation of the second heating element in order to selectively apply heat to a closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve.

3. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the access sleeve slopes such that water placed on the access sleeve will flow towards the open end.

4. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the slope of a bottom most portion of the access sleeve surface between the opposite end and the open end is substantially horizontal.

5. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the access sleeve between the opposite end and the open end slopes downward towards the opposite end such that a closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve tends to stay in contact with at least a portion of the opposite end.

6. The liquid warming device of claim 1 further comprising a protrusion extending upward from the access sleeve near the open end of the access sleeve, the protrusion adapted to resist a closed container of sterile fluid sliding out the open end of the access sleeve.

7. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the volume of liquid is contained in a basin.

8. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the volume of liquid is contained in a cavity in the liquid warming device.

9. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the volume of liquid is contained in a depression in a sterile drape.

10. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the height of the access sleeve measured in the direction of floor to ceiling is less than the depth of the access sleeve measured in the direction from the open end to the opposite end of the access sleeve.

11. The liquid warming device of claim 1 wherein the height of the access sleeve measured in the direction of floor to ceiling is more than the depth of the access sleeve measured in the direction from the open end to the opposite end of the access sleeve.

12. The fluid warming device of claim 2 wherein the temperature sensing device is placed adjacent to an opening in the set of walls such that a distal end of the temperature sensing device is adapted to make thermal contact with a closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve so that the temperature of the container can be used by the control system to regulate the operation of the second heating element in order to selectively apply heat to a closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve.

13. The liquid warming device of claim 2 wherein:

the temperature sensing device is placed in thermal contact with a portion of the set of walls that is adapted to provide thermal contact with a closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve.

14. The fluid warming device of claim 2 wherein the first temperature sensing device measures the air temperature in the access sleeve and is adapted to avoid direct thermal contact with a closed container of sterile fluid so that the air temperature in the access sleeve holding the closed container of sterile fluid can be used by the control system to regulate the operation of the second heating element in order to selectively apply heat to a closed container of sterile fluid.

15. The fluid warming device of claim 2 wherein the liquid warming device further comprises an indicator display adapted to indicate a temperature of a closed container of sterile fluid in the access sleeve.

16. The fluid warming device of claim 15 wherein the indicator display provides a temperature measured by the first temperature sensing device.

17. The fluid warming device of claim 15 wherein the indicator display provides an adjusted temperature based on the temperature measured by the first temperature sensing device.

18. The fluid warming device of claim 15 wherein the indicator display provides at least two different visual indications including:

one visual indication that the temperature measured by the first temperature sensing device is a temperature deemed suitable and fluid in the closed container of sterile fluid may be used in the provision of medical treatment; and

one visual indication that the temperature measured by the first temperature sensing device is below a minimum temperature deemed suitable for use in the provision of medical treatment.

19. The fluid warming device of claim 15 wherein the indicator display provides at least two different visual indications comprising:

one visual indication that the temperature measured by the first temperature sensing device is a temperature deemed suitable and fluid in the closed fluid container may be used in the provision of medical treatment; and

one visual indication that the temperature measured by the first temperature sensing device is not at a temperature deemed suitable for use in the provision of medical treatment.

20. The fluid warming device of claim 1 further comprising an input device on the exterior of the fluid warming device for conveying a user input to alter a set point used by the control system to regulate the operation of the second heating element in order to selectively apply heat to a closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve.

21. The fluid warming device of claim 1 wherein a bottom-most surface in the access sleeve slopes downwards towards the open end of the access sleeve with a slope of not less than 5 degrees and not more than 15 degrees.

22. The fluid warming device of claim 1 wherein a bottom-most surface in the access sleeve slopes downwards towards the open end of the access sleeve with a slope of not less than 1 degree.

23. The fluid warming device of claim 1 wherein a bottom-most surface in the access sleeve slopes downwards towards the open end of the access sleeve with a slope of not less than 5 degrees and not more than 20 degrees.

24. The fluid warming device of claim 1 wherein the second heating element wraps around the set of walls that run from the open end to the opposite end.

25. The fluid warming device of claim 1 wherein the second heating element comprises a self-regulating heating cable that decreases a heat output per linear foot of heating cable as a temperature of the heating cable increases.

26. The fluid warming device of claim 1 wherein the second heating element is responsive to a control system using a cascade control scheme.

27. A liquid warming device of claim 2 further comprising:

a second access sleeve located within the liquid warming device, the second access sleeve open to ambient air at an open end and closed at an opposite end, the opposite end connected to the open end by a set of one or more walls running from the open end to the opposite end;

a third heating element in thermal contact with at least a portion of the set of walls of the second access sleeve, the third heating element responsive to a control system; and

a second temperature sensing device in data communication with the control system used to regulate the operation of the third heating element in order to selectively apply heat to a closed container of sterile fluid placed in the second access sleeve.

28. The liquid warming device of claim 27 wherein the control system used to regulate the operation of the second heating element is the same control system used to regulate the operation of the third heating element.

29. A liquid warming device for maintaining fluids used in the provision of medical treatment at a temperature above ambient air temperature, the liquid warming device comprising:

a first heating element adapted to apply heat to a volume of liquid to maintain the volume of liquid at approximately a desired target temperature, the volume of liquid not fully enclosed so that the volume of liquid can be readily accessed by someone providing medical treatment;

at least one access sleeve located within the liquid warming device, the access sleeve open to ambient air at an open end and closed at an opposite end, the opposite end connected to the open end by a set of one or more walls running from the open end to the opposite end, the access sleeve having a slope between the open end and the opposite end of sufficient magnitude that water placed in the access sleeve will flow down towards the open end;

a protrusion extending into the access sleeve from near the open end of the access sleeve, the protrusion used to resist the tendency of a closed container of sterile fluid to slide out of the open access sleeve;

a second heating element in thermal contact with at least a portion of the set of walls running from the open end to the opposite end, the second heating element responsive to a control system; and

a first temperature sensing device in data communication with the control system used to regulate the operation of the second heating element in order to selectively apply heat to a closed container of fluid placed in the open access sleeve.

30. A dual-ended access sleeve for the provision of heat to at least one closed container of sterile fluid, the dual-ended access sleeve comprising:

an elongated cavity partially defined by a set of one or more walls running from a first open end at one end of the cavity to a second open end;

the elongated cavity of sufficient size to receive a first closed container of sterile fluid at the first open end so that at least a base of the first closed container of sterile fluid may be inserted into the elongated cavity and to receive a second closed container of sterile fluid at the second open end so that at least a base of the second closed container may be inserted into the elongated cavity;

a first temperature sensor placed in proximity to a portion of the set of one or more walls;

a first controller that receives input from the first temperature sensor and controls an amount of heat applied by the at least one first heater to the dual-ended access sleeve.

31. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 30 wherein the first temperature sensor is located in proximity to the first open end of the elongated cavity and the at least one first heater applies heat in proximity to a portion of the elongated cavity near the first open end;

the dual-ended access sleeve further comprising;

a second temperature sensor placed in proximity a portion of the set of one or more walls;

a second controller that receives input from the second temperature sensor and controls an amount of heat applied by the at least one second heater and the at least one second heater applies heat in proximity to a portion of the elongated cavity near the second open end.

32. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 31 further comprising:

a first temperature indicator that displays a temperature status of a measured temperature obtained by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature indicator that displays a temperature status of a measured temperature obtained by the second temperature sensor.

33. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 32 wherein the temperature status of the measured temperature obtained by the first temperature sensor is conveyed by displaying a temperature on a digital display.

34. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 32 wherein the temperature status of the measured temperature obtained by the first temperature sensor is conveyed by an indicator light that provides an indication of whether the measured temperature is within a desired temperature range.

35. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 30 wherein the dual-ended access sleeve is adapted so that a container inserted at the first open end tends to slide away from the first open end towards an interior of the dual-ended access sleeve and a container inserted in the second open end tends to slide away from the second open end towards the interior of the dual-ended access sleeve.

36. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 30 wherein the dual-ended access sleeve is adapted so that a container inserted at the first open end tends to slide towards the first open end and a container inserted in the second open end tends to slide towards the second open.

37. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 30 wherein the dual-ended access sleeve is adapted so that a container inserted at the first open end tends to slide away from the first open end towards the second open end and a container inserted in the second open end tends to slide towards the second open end.

38. The dual-ended access sleeve of claim 30 further comprising a protrusion that extends upward from a surface of the access sleeve near the first open end to resist the movement of a closed container of sterile fluid from inside the elongated cavity to outside the elongated cavity via the first open end.

39. A method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature, the method comprising:

placing a container of sterile fluid in an open access sleeve in a position where a temperature of the container of sterile fluid can be ascertained by a temperature measuring device connected to a control system, the control system used to selectively apply power to a heating unit to increase the temperature of the container of sterile fluid to a target temperature.

40. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 39 further including the step of adjusting the target temperature through providing input to the control system.

41. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 39 wherein the step of placing the container of sterile fluid in the open access sleeve is performed by placing the container of sterile fluid on its side in an elongated cavity with an open front and the temperature measuring device measures a temperature representative of a portion of a side of the container of sterile fluid in contact with a portion of the open access sleeve.

42. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 41 wherein the open access sleeve is sloped from a distal end of the access sleeve to the open front of the access sleeve such that the container of sterile fluid rests against a protrusion near the open front of the access sleeve.

43. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 39 wherein a user seeking to use sterile fluid from within the container of sterile fluid waits until a temperature indicator indicates that the temperature of the container of sterile fluid is within the range of the target temperature.

44. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 43 where the temperature indicator is a digital indication of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device.

45. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 43 where the temperature indicator is a light.

46. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 43 wherein a user opens the container of sterile fluid taken from the access sleeve and pours at least a portion of the sterile fluid from the container of sterile fluid into an open basin containing sterile fluid maintained within a range of a set point temperature.

47. The method of maintaining a container of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature of claim 43 wherein the user opens the container of sterile fluid taken from the access sleeve and pours at least a portion of the sterile fluid from the container of sterile fluid into a draped cavity containing sterile fluid maintained within a range of a set point temperature.

48. A method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid in a closed container of sterile fluid from an initial temperature T1 to the ambient temperature of a room containing the closed container of sterile fluid, the method comprising:

connecting a device having at least one access sleeve to a power source to provide electric power to at least one heater to heat at least a portion of the walls surrounding an access sleeve; and

placing the closed container of sterile fluid in the access sleeve with at least one side of the access sleeve remaining open to ambient air.

49. The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 48 further including adjusting at least one internal setting within the device to alter the behavior of the at least one heater.

50. The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 48 wherein the at least one heater operates without temperature feedback from a temperature sensor.

51. The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 48 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor associated with the access sleeve.

52. The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 48 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor in contact with a wall of the access sleeve.

53. The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 48 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor in contact with the closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve.

54. The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 48 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor in contact with air inside the access sleeve.

55. The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 48 wherein a controller response to a temperature input controls the at least one heater to avoid heating the closed container of sterile fluid above a target temperature.