Method and Apparatus for Warming Medical Solutions in a Thermal Treatment System Employing a Removable Basin

• US 20090255540A1
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patented Medical Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Patented Medical Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Faries, Durward I. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,789,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/849
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0018 Electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A drape device is provided for use with a thermal treatment system, where the thermal treatment system includes a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle. The drape device includes a drape that can be placed within the receptacle to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle. The drape device further includes engaging structure configured to engage the drape and one of the basin and the receptacle. In one embodiment, the engaging structure includes an actuation member that facilitates operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater without the use of the basin. In another embodiment, the engaging structure is securable to the basin to facilitate securing of the drape within the basin during use of the thermal treatment system.

Claims

1. A drape device for use with a thermal treatment system, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle, the drape device comprising:

a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to at least a portion of the receptacle upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape is further configured to receive and retain fluids and other items within the receptacle and to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle; and

an engaging structure configured to engage the drape and one of the basin and the receptacle so as to facilitate operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system and at least one item is placed on the drape within the receptacle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the limit switch of the thermal treatment system includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, and the engaging structure comprises an actuation member configured to engage the limit switch when the actuation member is placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system so as to facilitate activation of the heater without the basin being provided within the receptacle.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the actuation member comprises an annular member that fits around the elongated member of the limit switch.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the actuation member further comprises a cover member attached to the annular member and includes an opening that facilitates receipt of the elongated member within the cover member when the annular member is fit around the elongated member.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the annular member and cover member is attached to the drape.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the drape includes an opening through which the cover member protrudes.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the drape includes a first surface upon which fluid and other items are placed and a second surface that engages the actuation member and portions of the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, and the second surface of the drape includes a receptacle to engage the elongated member of the limit switch when the drape is placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the actuation member comprises a cover member including an opening to facilitate receipt of the elongated member of the limit switch within the cover member when the actuation member engages the limit switch.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the cover member is attached to the drape.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the actuation member comprises a plate, and the plate includes a channel to receive the elongated member of the limit switch when the actuation member engages the limit switch.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the drape includes a first surface upon which fluid and other items are placed and a second surface that engages the actuation member and portions of the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, a first surface of the plate is secured to the second surface of the drape, and the plate includes a foot attached to a second surface of the plate at a selected distance from the channel so as to facilitate a substantially level orientation of the plate with respect to the receptacle of the thermal treatment system when the actuation member engages with the limit switch.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with the basin of the thermal treatment system and the drape so as to secure the drape within the basin during operation of the thermal treatment system.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the limit switch of the thermal treatment system includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle, and the engaging structure comprises a well secure structure disposed on a surface of the drape that engages with an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin that defines the well.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the basin includes an alignment channel section disposed on an interior surface of the basin that facilitates a selected alignment of the basin within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, and the engaging structure comprises a securing member attached to the drape that engages with the alignment channel section of the basin.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the basin includes a rim disposed at an upper edge of the basin and a plurality of posts disposed at spaced locations along the rim, and the engaging structure comprises fasteners that are securable to the posts.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the fasteners are attached to the drape so as to releasably secure the drape to the basin.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the limit switch of the thermal treatment system includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle, the engaging structure further comprises a well secure structure and a plurality of elongated arms extending from the well securing structure, the well secure structure is configured to engage with an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin that defines the well, and the well secure structure is further connected to each fastener via an elongated arm.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the well secure structure and fasteners are attached to the drape.

19. A thermal treatment system comprising:

a receptacle dimensioned to receive a removable basin;

a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle;

a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle, wherein the limit switch includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle; and

a drape device comprising;

a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to at least a portion of the receptacle upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape is further configured to receive and retain fluids and other items within the receptacle and to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle; and

an engaging structure configured to engage the drape and one of the basin and the receptacle so as to facilitate operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system and at least one item is placed on the drape within the receptacle.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the elongated member of the limit switch comprises a temperature sensor that provides measured temperature information to the system in relation to the temperature of items within the receptacle.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the engaging structure comprises an actuation member configured to engage the limit switch when the actuation member is placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system so as to facilitate activation of the heater without the basin being provided within the receptacle.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the actuation member comprises an annular member that fits around the elongated member of the limit switch.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the actuation member comprises a plate, and the plate includes a channel to receive the elongated member of the limit switch when the actuation member engages the limit switch.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the actuation member comprises a cover member including an opening to facilitate receipt of the elongated member of the limit switch within the cover member when the actuation member engages the limit switch.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the actuation member is secured to the drape.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with the basin of the thermal treatment system and the drape so as to secure the drape within the basin during operation of the thermal treatment system.

27. A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

(a) installing the engaging structure with the thermal treatment system such that the engaging structure engages one of the basin and the receptacle;

(b) installing the drape within one of the basin and the receptacle of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape installed within the basin or the receptacle is configured to receive and retain fluids and other items and to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the basin or the receptacle; and

(c) placing at least one item on the drape within the basin or the receptacle so as to thermally treat the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the elongated member of the limit switch comprises a temperature sensor, and the method further comprises:

(d) providing measured temperature information to the system, via the temperature sensor, wherein the measured temperature information represents the temperature of items disposed on the drape installed within the basin or the receptacle.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the engaging structure comprises an actuation member, and step (a) further comprises:

(a.1) placing the actuation member within the receptacle without the basin being present within the receptacle such that the actuation member engages the limit switch, wherein engagement of the actuation member with the limit switch facilitates activation of the heater.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the actuation member is secured to the drape.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the actuation member is not secured to the drape, and step (a) occurs before step (b).

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the actuation member is not secured to the drape, and step (b) occurs before step (a) such that the drape is disposed between the actuation member and the receptacle.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the actuation member comprises an annular member, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the annular member around the elongated member of the limit switch.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the actuation member comprises a plate, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) engaging the elongated member of the limit switch with a channel of the plate.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the actuation member comprises a cover member including an opening to facilitate receipt of the elongated member of the limit switch, and the method further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the cover member over the elongated member of the limit switch.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with the basin of the thermal treatment system, and step (a) further comprises:

(a.1) securing the engaging structure to the basin after the basin is provided within the receptacle.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle, the well of the basin forming an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion within the basin, the engaging structure comprises a well secure structure disposed on a surface of the drape, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the well secure structure of the drape to the interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the basin includes an alignment channel section disposed on an interior surface of the basin that facilitates a selected alignment of the basin within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, the engaging structure comprises a securing member attached to the drape, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the securing member of the drape to the alignment channel section of the basin.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the basin includes a rim disposed at an upper edge of the basin and a plurality of posts disposed at spaced locations along the rim, the engaging structure comprises fasteners that correspond with the posts, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the fasteners of the engaging structure to the posts of the basin.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the fasteners are attached to the drape.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle, the well of the basin forming an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion within the basin, the engaging structure further comprises a well secure structure and a plurality of elongated arms, the well secure structure separately connects with each fastener via an elongated arm, and step (a.1.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1.1) securing the well secure structure of the engaging structure to the interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the well secure structure and the fasteners are attached to the drape.