Patient Warming Blanket

• US 20080203080A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Fung, Simon S.
• Application Number:
  US11/722,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20080203080A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/212
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0095 with a temperature indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0249 with a layer having low heat transfer capability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0097 Blankets with active heating or cooling sources warming mats A61F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/034 Flameless

Abstract

The present invention provides a patient warming device and method of application that may be used to retain and provide heat to a patient to prevent the onset of hypothermia.

Claims

1. A patient warming blanket comprising:

an insulating layer;

a first barrier layer in contact with the insulating layer;

a second barrier layer in contact with the first barrier layer to form a barrier pouch;

a first porous layer in contact with the first barrier layer;

a second porous layer in contact with the first porous layer to form a porous pouch;

a thermal composition within the porous pouch; and

a thermal buffer layer proximate the porous pouch;

wherein the composition is activated by opening at least a portion of the barrier pouch to expose the composition to air; and

wherein the porous pouch is between the thermal buffer layer and the insulating layer.

2. The blanket of claim 1, wherein the thermal buffer layer is attached to the porous pouch.

3. The blanket of claim 1, wherein the thermal buffer layer is attached to the second barrier layer.

4. The blanket of claim 1, comprising at least two porous pouches with a thermal composition within each porous pouch.

17. The blanket of claims 1, 7 or 10, wherein the insulating layer is folded and the composition in the porous pouch is activated by exposure to air when the insulating layer is unfolded.

19. The blanket of claims 1, 7 or 10, wherein the barrier layer is releasably attached to the insulating layer.

22. The blanket of claims 1, 7 or 10, wherein the insulating layer has a clo value of at least 0.5 based on ASTM method D1518-85.

26. The blanket of claims 1, 7 or 10, further comprising at least one temperature monitor proximate the thermal buffer layer.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. A patient warming blanket comprising:

an insulating layer;

a first barrier layer;

a first porous layer in contact with the first barrier layer to form a partially porous pouch wherein the first porous layer is also a thermal buffer layer;

a thermal composition within the partially porous pouch;

a second barrier layer in contact with the first barrier layer to form a barrier pouch wherein the thermal composition and the partially porous pouch are enclosed within the barrier pouch;

wherein the first porous layer is positioned between the thermal composition and the patient;

wherein the composition is activated by opening at least a portion of the barrier pouch to expose the composition to air.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. A patient warming blanket comprising:

an insulating layer;

a thermal device comprising a porous pouch containing a thermal composition located proximate the insulating layer and a thermal buffer layer located proximate the porous pouch; and

a barrier layer surrounding the porous pouch in a manner sufficient to prevent the activation of the thermal composition until use;

wherein the composition in the pouch is activated by opening at least a portion of the barrier layer to expose the composition to air.

11. The blanket of claim 10, wherein the thermal buffer layer is attached to the porous pouch on the side opposite the insulating layer.

12. The blanket of claim 10, wherein the thermal buffer layer is attached to the barrier layer on the side opposite the porous pouch.

13. The blanket of claim 10, wherein the barrier layer further surrounds the thermal buffer layer.

15. The blanket of claim 10, wherein the barrier layer is the packaging.

14. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

23. A patient warming kit comprising:

an insulating layer with a clo value greater than 0.2; and

a thermal device comprising

a porous pouch comprising a heat generating composition; and

a thermal buffer layer attached to the porous pouch;

wherein the porous pouch can be attached to the insulating layer on the side opposite the thermal buffer layer;

and a barrier layer surrounding the thermal device;

wherein the composition in the compartments is activated by opening the barrier layer to expose the composition to air.

24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the pouch is releasably attached to the insulating layer through any one of adhesive attachment, hook and loop fasteners, plastic fixtures, and zippers.

25. The kit of claim 23, further comprising at least one temperature monitor proximate the thermal buffer layer.

27. (canceled)

28. A patient warming device comprising:

an insulating layer;

a porous pouch containing a thermal composition;

at least one barrier layer that prevents exposure of the thermal composition to air until activation; and

at least one temperature monitor proximate the porous pouch;

wherein the thermal composition is activated by exposing the composition to air.

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. A method of warming a patient, comprising

providing at least one porous pouch that contains a heat generating composition;

providing a thermal buffer layer adjacent the patient'"'"'s skin; and

attaching the at least one porous pouch to the thermal buffer layer.

32. A method of warming a patient, comprising

providing at least one porous pouch that contains a heat generating composition;

providing a temperature monitor proximate the porous pouch; and

positioning the porous pouch proximate the patient'"'"'s skin.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising an insulating layer.

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

36. (canceled)