Method and apparatus for fluid administration with distributed heating
First Claim
1. An apparatus adapted for fluid administration to a patient comprising:
- a reservoir containing a volume of fluid to be administered to a patient;
a volume of warmed heating fluid; and
a length of fluid administration tubing comprising an I.V. fluid lumen, and a heating lumen, wherein the heating lumen runs parallel to the I.V. fluid lumen and wherein I.V. fluid flows in the I.V. fluid lumen and a warmed heating fluid flows in the heating lumen, and wherein the warmed heating fluid heats the I.V. fluid along substantially the length of the fluid administration tubing, and further comprising at least one resistive heating element disposed within and axially along the fluid administration tubing, wherein the heating element runs parallel to the I.V. fluid lumen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosure is provided for apparatus and methods to control the temperature of fluids being administered to patients. The apparatus consists of an I.V. reservoir, fluid administration or I.V. tubing, an in-line heater, a heater controller, a temperature sensor located near the patient and feedback circuit connecting the temperature sensor to the heater controller. A method is disclosed which provides for overheating of the fluid so that it cools down to the desired temperature (usually body temperature) by the time it reaches the patient.
In another embodiment, apparatus is disclosed for providing distributed heat to fluids being administered to patients. This apparatus includes heating channels or elements running along a length of the fluid administration tubing. These heating elements are controlled by a controller, which is attached to a temperature sensor, preferably located near the patient. The key advantages of this system include low cost, ease of use and reduced overheating of fluids prior to delivery to the patient. Such overheating could result in degradation of the fluids being delivered to the patient.
40 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus adapted for fluid administration to a patient comprising:
- a reservoir containing a volume of fluid to be administered to a patient;
a volume of warmed heating fluid; and
a length of fluid administration tubing comprising an I.V. fluid lumen, and a heating lumen, wherein the heating lumen runs parallel to the I.V. fluid lumen and wherein I.V. fluid flows in the I.V. fluid lumen and a warmed heating fluid flows in the heating lumen, and wherein the warmed heating fluid heats the I.V. fluid along substantially the length of the fluid administration tubing, and further comprising at least one resistive heating element disposed within and axially along the fluid administration tubing, wherein the heating element runs parallel to the I.V. fluid lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a reservoir containing a volume of fluid to be administered to a patient;
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11. A method of delivering temperature controlled fluids to a patient comprising the steps of:
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providing a volume of I.V. fluid to be administered to a patient;
delivering said volume of I.V. fluid to the patient through a length of fluid administration tubing that comprises an I.V. fluid lumen and a heating lumen, wherein the volume of I.V. fluid is delivered to the patient through the I.V. fluid lumen;
heating a heating fluid to generate a warmed heating fluid, wherein the warmed heating fluid is heated by a heating fluid source, and further by using a resistive heating elements disposed parallel to said heating lumen; and
circulating the warmed heating fluid through the heating lumen of the fluid administration tubing, wherein the heating fluid heats the I.V. fluid along substantially the length of the fluid administration tubing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification