Blood rewarming method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of rewarming blood contained in a plastic bag in preparation for infusion of such blood, comprising the steps of supporting a blood bag in a housing formed of microwave-transmissible material and containing a volume of water;
- immobilizing said blood bag within said housing with said immobilized bag being totally immersed in said volume of water;
subjecting said water and bag to microwave irradiation until the temperature of the water adjacent said bag reaches a predetermined temperature, and interrupting said irradiation when said predetermined temperature of said water adjacent said bag has been reached.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for rewarming blood (including refrigerated whole blood, packed red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma) in which the temperature of the blood is quickly raised to infusion temperature without hemolysis or other damage to its constituents. The blood, contained in a conventional blood administration bag, is subjected to microwave irradiation while being totally immersed in a body of water. Structure is provided for immobilizing the blood bag within the body of water, and a sensor detects when a desired temperature has been attained and causes automatic cessation of microwave generation. The immobilizing structure may also be provided with a microwave-opaque barrier for shielding certain portions of a blood bag against excessive radiation exposure. A pump may also be provided for circulation of the water within the apparatus.
136 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method of rewarming blood contained in a plastic bag in preparation for infusion of such blood, comprising the steps of supporting a blood bag in a housing formed of microwave-transmissible material and containing a volume of water;
- immobilizing said blood bag within said housing with said immobilized bag being totally immersed in said volume of water;
subjecting said water and bag to microwave irradiation until the temperature of the water adjacent said bag reaches a predetermined temperature, and interrupting said irradiation when said predetermined temperature of said water adjacent said bag has been reached. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- immobilizing said blood bag within said housing with said immobilized bag being totally immersed in said volume of water;
-
10. An apparatus for rewarming blood contained in a plastic bag, comprising a housing formed of rigid microwave-transmissible material having bottom and side walls defining an open-topped chamber;
- said chamber being adapted to support a body of water having its surface at a predetermined level therein;
supporting means within said chamber for supporting a blood bag below said predetermined level, above said bottom wall, and spaced from said side walls; and
holding means disposed within said chamber below said predetermined water level for engaging and holding said blood bag in fixed position on said supporting means;
said holding means having at least portions thereof formed of microwave-transmissible material. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- said chamber being adapted to support a body of water having its surface at a predetermined level therein;
Specification