Heater for physiological fluids
First Claim
1. In combinationfirst and second fluid connector means for removably receiving respective first and second warming fluid ports of a heat exchanger, andsupport means for supporting first and second fluid connector means,each of said fluid connector means comprising a passageway for passing said warming fluid and means for engaging a respective said first or second warming fluid port to allow said warming fluid in said passageway to communicate with said port and to physically support said heat exchanger in cooperation with the other of said fluid connector means,fluid circulation means for circulating said warming fluid to said first and second fluid connector means, andtemperature control means for controlling the temperature of said warming fluid,wherein one of said first and second fluid connector means is movably mounted to said support means for movement with respect to said support means between at least first and second positions, wherein said first and second fluid connector means are spaced by a first distance for engaging said warming fluid ports when said one of said fluid connectors is in said first position and are spaced by a second distance for releasing said warming fluid ports when said one of said fluid connectors is in said second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained portable unit for heating physiological fluids is disclosed. A heat exchanger is disposable to ensure sterility, and the heat exchanger is attached to a heating system by inserting it between opposed fluid connection elements. One of the fluid connection elements is movable to permit the heat exchanger to be installed and removed easily by inserting one end of the heat exchanger in one of the fluid connection units and moving the other fluid connection unit into contact with an opposite end of the heat exchanger. The heating fluid is heated by an electric heating element and is circulated by an electric pump.
91 Citations
19 Claims
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1. In combination
first and second fluid connector means for removably receiving respective first and second warming fluid ports of a heat exchanger, and support means for supporting first and second fluid connector means, each of said fluid connector means comprising a passageway for passing said warming fluid and means for engaging a respective said first or second warming fluid port to allow said warming fluid in said passageway to communicate with said port and to physically support said heat exchanger in cooperation with the other of said fluid connector means, fluid circulation means for circulating said warming fluid to said first and second fluid connector means, and temperature control means for controlling the temperature of said warming fluid, wherein one of said first and second fluid connector means is movably mounted to said support means for movement with respect to said support means between at least first and second positions, wherein said first and second fluid connector means are spaced by a first distance for engaging said warming fluid ports when said one of said fluid connectors is in said first position and are spaced by a second distance for releasing said warming fluid ports when said one of said fluid connectors is in said second position.
- 15. A sterile heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a physiological fluid comprising a central tube having high heat conductivity for carrying a temperature-controlled fluid, an outer tube shorter than said central tube and surrounding a part of said central tube to form a passageway for said physiological fluid between said central and outer tubes, and first and second end caps, each of said end caps having a first part extending axially along an outer surface of said outer tube and being sealed and secured to said outer surface and a second part sealingly engaging said inner tube to ensure maintenance of sterility during operation, said second part comprising an elongate cylindrical opening engaging an outer surface of said central tube and extending away from said first part and wherein said inner tube extends beyond each of said second parts and forms two elongate connections for being slidingly received in an elongate recess.
Specification