Method and apparatus for monitoring temperature of intravenously delivered fluids and other medical items

• US 6,467,953 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medical Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Medical Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Faries, Durward I. Jr., Blankenship, Calvin, Heymann, Bruce R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEJESUS, LYDIA M
• Application Number:
  US09/539,183
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 374/141, 374/162, 604/65, 604/66, 604/67
• US Class Current: 374/162
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance

Abstract

An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion. In addition, the temperature sensing strip may be disposed within thermal treatment system compartments to measure and provide a visual indication of medical item temperatures. Alternatively, the strip may be employed by a stand, plate, receptacle or other structure receiving a medical item or container to provide a temperature measurement and indication as described above. The structure may be a stand-alone unit or may be attached to a thermal treatment or other system to facilitate temperature measurement.

Claims

1. An apparatus for facilitating pressurized infusion of liquid from a liquid-filled container through a tube into a patient wherein said liquid-filled container is suspended from a support and said tube extends between said liquid-filled container and said patient, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable pressure device for applying pressure to said liquid-filled container to facilitate flow of liquid from said liquid-filled container through the tube to the patient;

a receptacle for engaging said support and receiving said liquid-filled container and said inflatable pressure device, wherein said receptacle includes a compartment defined by receptacle interior surfaces for. receiving and retaining said inflatable pressure device and said liquid-filled container within said receptacle interior and a temperature sensor with an indicator disposed thereon for measuring and providing a visual temperature indication of said liquid, and wherein said inflatable pressure device is disposed adjacent said liquid-filled container within said compartment; and

a pressure controller for regulating fluid pressure within and expansion of said inflatable pressure device to control pressure applied by said inflatable pressure device to said liquid-filled container to generate a desired liquid flow rate from said liquid-filled container to the patient.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including:

a heating element to heat said liquid-filled container; and

a conductive plate to apply heat from said heating element to said liquid-filled container;

wherein said pressure device is disposed within a bag having a pocket for receiving said heating element and said conductive plate such that said conductive plate is disposed between said liquid-filled container and said heating element to apply heat from said heating element to said liquid-filled container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor includes a plurality of temperature sensitive substances each associated with a corresponding temperature range, wherein each said substance is responsive to a temperature of said liquid and provides a visual indication of said liquid temperature when said liquid temperature is within said corresponding temperature range.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip providing a digital indication of said liquid temperature.