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

• US 6,722,782 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• 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): JAGAN, MIRELLYS
• Application Number:
  US09/982,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20020024990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 374/141, 374/150, 374/157, 374/162, 374/208
• 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. A medical device for visually indicating a temperature of a medical item placed therein comprising:

a stand including a base and at least first and second panels attached to said base;

a receptacle defined between said first and second panels for receiving and securing said medical item within said stand, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and

a temperature sensor assembly to measure and visually indicate medical item temperature, wherein said temperature sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor disposed within said first panel and in thermal relation with said medical item to directly measure said medical item temperature;

wherein said receptacle is configured to force said medical item in direct contact with said temperature sensor in said first panel to facilitate temperature measurement.

2. The medical device 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 medical item and provides a visual indication of said medical item temperature when said medical item temperature is within said corresponding temperature range.

3. The medical device of claim 2 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip providing a digital indication of said medical item temperature.

4. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor assembly further includes a display to visually indicate said medical item temperature.

5. The medical device of claim 4 wherein said display includes a liquid crystal display.

6. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said first panel further includes a handle to facilitate transport and handling of said medical device.

7. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said medical device is attached to a support structure.

8. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said medical device is attached to a thermal treatment system.

9. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor assembly further includes a voice synthesizer to provide an audio indication of said medical item temperature.

10. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor includes an infra-red temperature sensor.

11. A medical device for visually indicating a temperature of a medical item placed therein comprising:

a base in the form of a plate to receive and support said medical item thereon;

a securing member attached to said base and configured to contour and secure said medical item to said base; and

a temperature sensor assembly to measure and visually indicate medical item temperature, wherein said temperature sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor disposed on an interior surface of said securing member and in thermal relation with said medical item to directly measure said medical item temperature;

wherein said securing member is configured to force said temperature sensor in direct contact with said medical item to facilitate temperature measurement.

12. A method of visually indicating a temperature of a medical item placed in a medical device, wherein said medical device includes a stand with a base and at least first and second panels attached to said base and a receptacle defined between said first and second panels, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving and securing said medical item within said receptacle defined between said first and second panels of said device, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and

(b) measuring and providing a visual indication of medical item temperature via a temperature sensor assembly including a temperature sensor disposed within said first panel and in thermal relation with said medical item to directly measure said medical item temperature, wherein said receptacle is configured to force said medical item in direct contact with said temperature sensor in said first panel to facilitate temperature measurement.

13. The method of claim 12 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 medical item, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring and visually indicating said medical item temperature via each temperature sensitive substance when said medical item temperature is within a corresponding temperature range of that substance.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip, and step (b.1) further includes:

(b.1.1) measuring said medical item temperature and providing a digital indication of said measured temperature via said temperature sensing strip.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said temperature sensor assembly further includes a display, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) visually indicating said medical item temperature via said display.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein said first panel further includes a handle, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) transporting and handling said medical device via said handle.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein step (a) further includes;

(a.1) attaching said medical device to a support structure.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) attaching said medical device to a thermal treatment system.

19. A method of visually indicating a temperature of a medical item placed in a medical device, wherein said medical device includes a base in the form of a plate and a securing member attached to said base and configured to contour and secure said medical item to said base, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving said medical item on said base in the form of said plate and securing said medical item to said base via said securing member, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and

(b) measuring and providing a visual indication of medical item temperature via a temperature sensor assembly including a temperature sensor disposed on an interior surface of said securing member and in thermal relation with said medical item to directly measure said medical item temperature, wherein said securing member forces said temperature sensor in direct contact with said medical item to facilitate temperature measurement.