System and method to regulate temperature

• US 20100010599A1
• Filed: 05/12/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Embrace Holding Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Embrace Incorporated
• Inventors: Chen, Jane, Murty, Naganand, Panicker, Rahul, Hovaghimian, Razmig, Liang, Linus
• Granted Patent: US 8,257,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/112
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0001 Body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0095 with a temperature indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0225 connected to the body or a part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0238 in a pocket A61F2007/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0292 using latent heat produced or absorbed during phase change of materials, e.g. of super-cooled solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0097 Blankets with active heating or cooling sources warming mats A61F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0241 Apparatus for the preparation of hot packs, hot compresses, cooling pads, e.g. heaters or refrigerators

Abstract

A system and method for thermal regulation, the system comprising a bedding element that is configured to enclose at least a part of a living being or other object. The system further comprising a temperature regulation element that is included in the bedding element and that includes a phase change material which changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase within the desired temperature range.

Claims

1. A system for regulating temperature within a desired temperature range, comprising:

a bedding element that is configured to enclose at least a part of a living being; and

a temperature regulation element that is included in the bedding element and that includes a phase change material which changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase within the desired temperature range.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bedding element includes a pouch and the temperature regulation element is contained in the pouch.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature regulation element is separable from the bedding element.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a recharging unit that is separate from the bedding element, the recharging unit configured to receive and heat the temperature regulation element when the temperature regulation element is separated from the bedding element.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a second temperature regulation element that may be heated by the recharging unit while the temperature regulation element is included in the bedding element.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the recharging unit is an electric heater.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the bedding element is configured to enclose at least a part of a human infant.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the bedding element includes a hood to receive the infant'"'"'s head.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising straps that are attached to the bedding element and configured to enable a caregiver to wear the system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material is organic.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material changes phase in the range between about 34 degrees Celsius and about 38 degrees Celsius.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material comprises n-eicosane or tetradecanol.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature indicating element that is thermally coupled to the temperature regulating element.

14. A system for regulating temperature within a desired temperature range, comprising:

a bedding element that is configured to enclose at least a part of a human infant and that includes a pouch;

a temperature regulation element that is releasably contained in the pouch and that includes a phase change material which changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase within the desired temperature range; and

a recharging unit that is separate from the bedding element, the recharging unit configured to receive and heat the temperature regulation element when the temperature regulation element is separated from the bedding element.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second temperature regulation element that may be heated by the recharging unit while the temperature regulation element is contained in the pouch of the bedding element.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the phase change material changes phase in the range between about 34 degrees Celsius and about 38 degrees Celsius.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the phase change material comprises n-eicosane or tetradecanol.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a temperature indicating element that is thermally coupled to the temperature regulating element.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second temperature regulation element that may be heated by the recharging unit while the temperature regulation element is contained in the pouch of the bedding element.

19. A system for regulating temperature of a human infant within a desired temperature range, comprising:

a bedding element that is configured to substantially enclose the human infant and that includes an inner layer, an outer layer and a pouch between the inner layer and the outer layer;

a temperature regulation element that is releasably contained in the pouch and that includes a phase change material which changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase within the desired temperature range;

a temperature indicator that is thermally coupled to the temperature regulation element and that is visible on the outside of the bedding element; and

a recharging unit that is separate from the bedding element, that is configured to receive and heat the temperature regulation element when the temperature regulation element is separated from the bedding element.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the phase change material changes phase in the range between about 34 degrees Celsius and about 38 degrees Celsius.

22. A system for regulating temperature within a desired temperature range, comprising:

a bedding element having a body portion and at least one foldable portion, the at least one foldable portion disposed adjacent to the body portion wherein the at least one foldable portion can be folded over the body portion to enclose an interior; and

a temperature regulation element that is included in the bedding element and thermally coupled to the interior and that includes a phase change material which changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase within the desired temperature range.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

a fastening means disposed on the bedding element to secure the at least one foldable portion when the interior is formed.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the bedding element includes a pouch and the temperature regulation element is contained in the pouch.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the temperature regulation element is separable from the bedding element.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

a recharging unit that is separate from the bedding element, the recharging unit configured to receive and heat the temperature regulation element when the temperature regulation element is separated from the bedding element.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the bedding element includes three foldable portions that can be folded over the body portion to enclose the interior.