Infrared heating device for prewarming IV solutions
First Claim
1. An infrared device for prewarming intravenous (IV) solutions comprising:
- (a) at least one cassette having a predetermined length of IV tubing passing therethrough with an inlet connectable to a source of IV solution and an outlet connectable to an IV infusion device;
(b) at least one infrared energy-generating sheet positioned in said cassette adjacent to said predetermined length of IV tubing, said infrared energy sheet further comprising;
i) a fiberglass support grid;
ii) a matrix layer formed on said support grid, said matrix layer comprising a mixture of carbon and polymeric materials capable of producing infrared radiation in response to electrical current passed therethrough;
iii) a pair of electrical conduction power strips along opposite sides of said layer;
iv) a polymeric laminate enclosing said support grid, said matrix layer and said electrical conduction power strips, said polymeric laminate being substantially transparent to infrared radiation;
v) input power terminals connected to said electrical conduction power strips; and
(c) an electrical power source connected to said input power terminals for providing electrical power to be passed through said power strips and said matrix layer of carbon polymer mixture to generate infrared radiation therefrom.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infrared device for prewarming IV solutions is provided with a cassette having a predetermined length of tubing connectable at an inlet to and IV solution source and an inlet connected to a device for infusion to a patient. An infrared energy-generating sheet is positioned in the cassette on or adjacent to the IV tubing or passage. The infrared energy sheet includes a fiberglass support grid, a layer formed on support matrix from a mixture of carbon and polymeric materials capable of producing infrared radiation in response to electrical current passed there through. A pair of electrical conduction power strips are attached along opposite sides of the matrix layer and are attached to input power terminals to provide the required current. The entire cassette may be held together with a glue or may be otherwise bonded or molded into a unit for convenient handling. An electrical power source is connected to the input power terminals for providing electrical power to be passed through the power strips and the layer of carbon and polymer mixture to generate infrared radiation that passes through the tubing or passage and penetrates into the IV solution as it passes through the cassette to be warmed thereby and infused into a patient at a desired temperature.
109 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An infrared device for prewarming intravenous (IV) solutions comprising:
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(a) at least one cassette having a predetermined length of IV tubing passing therethrough with an inlet connectable to a source of IV solution and an outlet connectable to an IV infusion device;
(b) at least one infrared energy-generating sheet positioned in said cassette adjacent to said predetermined length of IV tubing, said infrared energy sheet further comprising;
i) a fiberglass support grid;
ii) a matrix layer formed on said support grid, said matrix layer comprising a mixture of carbon and polymeric materials capable of producing infrared radiation in response to electrical current passed therethrough;
iii) a pair of electrical conduction power strips along opposite sides of said layer;
iv) a polymeric laminate enclosing said support grid, said matrix layer and said electrical conduction power strips, said polymeric laminate being substantially transparent to infrared radiation;
v) input power terminals connected to said electrical conduction power strips; and
(c) an electrical power source connected to said input power terminals for providing electrical power to be passed through said power strips and said matrix layer of carbon polymer mixture to generate infrared radiation therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
(a) predetermined area in said cassette on which said predetermined length of IV tubing is held in a serpentine configuration; and
(b) said infrared energy-generating sheet operatively positioned adjacent said IV tubing co-terminus with said predetermined area.
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3. An infrared device for prewarming IV solutions as in claim 1 further comprising a temperature control device operatively connected to said cassette for automatically terminating power to said power conducting strips when a temperature in said cassette exceeds a predetermined temperature.
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4. An infrared device for prewarming IV solutions as in claim 3 wherein said temperature control device comprise a microchip circuit sensitive to a preselected temperature and connected to said input power for turning power “
- on”
below said preselected temperature and “
off”
above said preselected temperature.
- on”
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5. An infrared device for prewarming IV solutions as in claim 1 wherein said cassette further comprises:
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(a) said at least one heating element forming a bottom of said cassette; and
(b) a top of said cassette spaced above said bottom and having another infrared radiation generating sheet positioned along said top for heating on said IV tubing from above.
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6. An infrared heating device for prewarming IV solutions as in claim 1 further comprising:
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(a) a thermostat connected in said cassette for sensing a temperature indicative of the temperature of said IV solution to be warmed; and
(b) a control circuit connected to said thermostat and said infrared heating element for controlling power to said infrared heating element so that a predetermined temperature range is maintained in said compartment.
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7. An infrared heating device for prewarming IV solutions as in claim 7 wherein said control circuit comprises a temperature responsive microchip circuit preset for turning on and off at a predetermined temperature.
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8. A disposable infrared warming device for prewarming IV solutions comprising:
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(a) at least one cassette having a length of fluid passage and an inlet for receiving IV solution warmed and an outlet for connecting to a patient to receive said warmed IV solution, said infrared heating device comprising;
(b) at least one infrared energy-generating sheet positioned in said compartment adjacent to said length of IV passage, said infrared energy sheet further comprising;
(i) a fiberglass support matrix;
(ii) layer formed on said support matrix, said layer comprising a mixture of carbon and polymeric materials capable of producing infrared radiation in response to electrical current passed therethrough;
(iii) a pair of electrical conduction power strips along opposite sides of said layer;
(iv) polymeric laminate enclosing said support grid, said layer and said electrical conduction power strips, said polymeric laminate being substantially transparent to infrared radiation; and
(c) an electrical power source connected to said input power strips for providing electrical power to be passed through said power strips and said layer of carbon polymer mixture to generate infrared radiation therefrom.
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9. A disposable infrared IV prewarming device as in claim 9 further comprising:
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(a) a power cord adapted to connect to a movable power source; and
(b) a portable battery power source movable from one patient to another as may be needed to connect to said disposable cassette infrared heating device.
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Specification