Patient infusion media warmer and method of use

• US 8,467,671 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermacode Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Thermacode Technology LLC
• Inventors: Barker, Garrett, Earp, Wyatt, French, C. Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, THOR S
• Application Number:
  US11/501,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20070045273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,505 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 392/470
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 having means for cooling or heating the devices or media
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/267 the insulating base being an organic material, e.g. plastic H05B3/262 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/286 the insulating material being an organic material, e.g. plastic

Abstract

A warming unit and method for warming an infusion medium prior to introducing the medium into a patient'"'"'s body. The apparatus includes an outer casing, inlet and outlet tubes secured to the outer casing, a fluid conduit for transporting the infusion medium through the warming unit, and a heating element disposed proximate to the fluid conduit for warming the infusion medium flowing therethrough. The warming unit can form part of a system, which further includes a controller for controlling various functions of and separate from the warming unit, a reservoir containing the infusion medium, and a power source for powering the warming unit.

Claims

1. A warming unit for warming a patient infusion medium comprising:

an inlet tube;

an outlet tube;

a fluid conduit disposed between and in communication with the inlet tube and the outlet tube;

a heating element disposed proximate to the fluid conduit for warming the patient infusion medium, wherein a portion of the fluid conduit is defined by the heating element; and

an outer casing sealably enclosing the fluid conduit and housing the heating member, wherein a portion of the fluid conduit is defined by an inner surface of the outer casing;

a connector that connects the warming unit to a separate controller that is located externally to the outer casing of the warming unit.

2. The warming unit according to claim 1, wherein the inlet tube and the outlet tube are permanently attached to the outer casing.

3. The warming unit according to claim 1, the heating member further comprising:

a substrate; and

a heating element disposed on the substrate.

4. The warming unit according to claim 3,

wherein the fluid conduit forms a serpentine path;

wherein the heating element forms a shape corresponding to the serpentine path of the fluid conduit; and

wherein the shape of the heating element and the path of the fluid conduit generally align.

5. The warming unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a connector portion for coupling the warming unit to the separate controller.

6. The warming unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor for measuring a temperature of the patient infusion medium passing through the warming unit.

7. The warming unit according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is disposed within the fluid conduit.

8. The warming unit according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer casing is contoured to conform to an anatomical shape of a patient.

9. The warming unit according to claim 8, wherein the contoured portion outer casing is configured to provide an air gap between a portion of the outer casing and a patient.

10. The warming unit according to claim 1, wherein the warming unit is disposable.

11. The warming unit according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing comprises:

a first casing portion; and

a second casing portion,

wherein the first and second casing portions are permanently attachable to each other.

12. The warming unit according to claim 11, further comprising:

a seal disposed between the first and second casing portions.

13. A warming unit for warming a patient infusion medium comprising:

an inlet tube;

an outlet tube;

a fluid conduit disposed between and in communication with the inlet tube and the outlet tube;

a laminated heating assembly, the assembly including;

a first insulating sheet;

a second insulating sheet;

a substrate disposed between the first and second insulating sheets;

a heating element disposed on the substrate, wherein a portion of the fluid conduit is defined by the laminated heating assembly;

a sensor disposed on the substrate; and

a plurality of electrical circuit paths coupled to the heating element and the sensor; and

an outer casing, wherein a portion of the fluid conduit is defined by an inner surface of the outer casing;

wherein a controller for controlling operation of the warming unit is provided external to the outer casing.

14. The warming unit according to claim 13, further comprising:

a connector portion for connecting the warming unit with the controller.

15. The warming unit according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of circuit paths extend to the connection port.

16. The warming unit according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of circuit paths are formed on the substrate.

17. The warming unit according to claim 13, wherein the inlet tube and the outlet tube are permanently attached to the outer casing.

18. The warming unit according to claim 13, wherein the fluid conduit forms a serpentine path;

wherein the heating element forms a shape corresponding to the serpentine path of the fluid conduit; and

wherein the shape of the heating element and the path of the fluid conduit generally align.

19. The warming unit according to claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor is disposed within the fluid conduit.

20. The warming unit according to claim 13, wherein a portion of the outer casing is contoured to conform to an anatomical shape of a patient.

21. The warming unit according to claim 20, wherein the contoured portion outer casing is configured to form an air gap between a portion of the outer casing and a patient.

22. The warming unit according to claim 13, wherein the warming unit is disposable.

23. The warming unit according to claim 13, wherein the outer casing comprises:

a first casing portion; and

a second casing portion;

wherein the first and second portions are permanently attachable to each other.

24. The warming unit according to claim 23, further comprising:

a seal disposed between the first and second casing portions.

25. A warming unit for warming a patient infusion medium comprising:

inlet means for introducing the patient infusion medium to the warming unit;

outlet means for outletting the patient infusion medium from the warming unit;

fluid conduit means for directing the patient infusion medium through the warming unit;

warming means for warming the patient infusion medium, wherein a portion of the fluid conduit means is defined by the warming means;

sensor means for measuring a temperature of the patient infusion medium disposed in the fluid conduit means; and

outer casing means for encasing the fluid conduit means and the warming means, wherein a portion of the fluid conduit means is defined by an inner surface of the outer casing means;

wherein a control means for controlling operation of the warming unit is provided external to the outer casing means; and

wherein the inlet means and the outlet means are permanently attached to the outer casing means.

26. The warming unit according to claim 25,

wherein the fluid conduit means forms a serpentine path;

wherein the warming means forms a shape corresponding to the serpentine path of the fluid conduit means; and

wherein the shape of the warming means and the path of the fluid conduit means generally align.

27. A warming unit for warming a patient infusion medium comprising:

an inlet tube;

an outlet tube;

a fluid conduit disposed between and in communication with the inlet tube and the outlet tube;

a heating element disposed proximate to the fluid conduit for warming the patient infusion medium; and

an outer casing sealably enclosing the fluid conduit and housing the heating member;

a connector that connects the warming unit to a separate controller that is located externally to the outer casing of the warming unit.