Method and apparatus for warming medical solutions in a thermal treatment system employing a removable basin

• US 8,789,534 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patented Medical Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Patented Medical Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Faries, Durward I. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US12/420,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20090255540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,938 Days
• Field of Search: 219/430, 219/433, 219/441, 219/442, 236/1.C, 236/93.R, 128/849
• US Class Current: 128/849
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0018 Electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A drape device is provided for use with a thermal treatment system, where the thermal treatment system includes a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle. The drape device includes a drape that can be placed within the receptacle to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle. The drape device further includes engaging structure configured to engage the drape and one of the basin and the receptacle. In one embodiment, the engaging structure includes an actuation member that facilitates operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater without the use of the basin. In another embodiment, the engaging structure is securable to the basin to facilitate securing of the drape within the basin during use of the thermal treatment system.

Claims

1. A thermal treatment system comprising:

a receptacle;

a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle;

a limit switch that is operable to activate the heater upon identification of an item being placed within the receptacle; and

a drape device comprising;

a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to at least a portion of the receptacle upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape includes a drape container to receive and retain fluids and other items within the receptacle, and provides a barrier between items placed in the drape container and the receptacle; and

an engaging structure coincident the drape container and configured to engage the drape and actuate the limit switch for activation of the heater when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system and at least one item is placed on the drape within the receptacle, wherein the limit switch of the thermal treatment system includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, and the engaging structure comprises an actuation member configured to engage the limit switch when the actuation member is placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system so as to facilitate activation of the heater, and wherein the actuation member comprises a plate, and the plate includes a channel to receive the elongated member of the limit switch when the actuation member engages the limit switch;

wherein the drape includes a first surface upon which fluid and other items are placed and a second surface that engages the actuation member and portions of the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, a first surface of the plate is secured to the second surface of the drape, and the plate includes a foot attached to a second surface of the plate at a selected distance from the channel so as to facilitate, a substantially level orientation of the plate with respect to the receptacle of the thermal treatment system when the actuation member engages with the limit switch.

2. A drape device for use with a thermal treatment system comprising:

a thermal treatment comprising;

a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin;

heater to heat items placed within the receptacle; and

a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle; and

a drape device comprising;

a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to at least a portion of the receptacle upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape is further configured to receive and retain fluids and other items within the receptacle and to provide a harrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle; and

an engaging structure configured to engage the drape and the basin so as to facilitate operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system and at least one item is placed on the drape within the receptacle, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with the basin of the thermal treatment system and the drape so as to secure the drape within the basin during operation of the thermal treatment system, and wherein the basin includes a rim disposed at an upper edge of the basin and a plurality of posts disposed at spaced locations along the rim, and the engaging structure comprises fasteners that are securable to the posts in a friction fit engagement.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the fasteners are attached to the drape so as to releasably secure the drape to the basin.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the limit switch of the thermal treatment system includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle, the engaging structure further comprises a well secure structure and a plurality of elongated arms extending from the well secure structure, the well secure structure is configured to engage with an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin that defines the well, and the well secure structure is further connected to each fastener via an elongated arm.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the well secure structure and fasteners are attached to the drape.

6. A thermal treatment system comprising:

a receptacle;

a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle;

a limit switch that is operable to identify when an item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the item being placed within the receptacle, wherein the limit switch includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle; and

a drape device comprising;

a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to the receptacle to form a drape container therein upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape container receives and retains fluids and other items within the receptacle, and the drape provides a barrier between items placed in the drape container and the receptacle; and

an engaging structure coincident the drape container and configured to engage the drape and contact and apply forces to the limit switch to actuate the limit switch for activation of the heater to apply heat to the drape container when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system and at least one item is placed on the drape within the receptacle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the elongated member of the limit switch comprises a temperature sensor that provides measured temperature information to the system in relation to the temperature of items within the receptacle.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the engaging structure comprises an actuation member configured to engage the limit switch when the actuation member is placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system so as to facilitate activation of the heater.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the actuation member comprises an annular member that fits around the elongated member of the limit switch.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the actuation member further comprises a cover member attached to the annular member and includes an opening that facilitates receipt of the elongated member within the cover member when the annular member is fit around the elongated member.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the annular member and cover member is attached to the drape.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the drape includes an opening through which the cover member protrudes.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the drape includes a first surface upon which fluid and other items are placed and a second surface that engages the actuation member and portions of the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, and the second surface of the drape includes a sensor receptacle to engage the elongated member of the limit switch when the drape is placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the actuation member comprises a plate, and the plate includes a channel to receive the elongated member of the limit switch when the actuation member engages the limit switch.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the actuation member comprises a cover member including an opening to facilitate receipt of the elongated member of the limit switch within the cover member when the actuation member engages the limit switch.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the cover member is attached to the drape.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the actuation member is secured to the drape.

18. A thermal treatment system comprising:

a receptacle dimensioned to receive a removable basin;

a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle;

a limit switch that is operable to identify when an item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the item being placed within the receptacle, wherein the limit switch includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle and the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle; and

a drape device comprising;

a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to at least a portion of the receptacle upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape includes a drape container to receive and retain fluids and other items within the receptacle, and provides a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle; and

an engaging structure coincident the drape container and configured to engage the drape when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with an interior surface of a bottom portion of the basin of the thermal treatment system and the drape so as to secure the drape within the basin interior during operation of the thermal treatment system, and wherein the engaging structure comprises a well secure structure disposed on a surface of the drape that engages with an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin that defines the well.

19. The thermal treatment system of claim 18, wherein the basin includes an alignment channel section disposed on an interior surface of the basin that facilitates a selected alignment of the basin within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, and the engaging structure comprises a securing member attached to the drape that engages with the alignment channel section of the basin.

20. A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to activate the heater upon identification of an item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

(a) receiving the drape and the engaging structure within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape conforms to the receptacle to form a drape container therein to receive and retain fluids and other items, and provides a barrier between items placed in the drape container and the receptacle, and wherein the engaging structure is coincident the drape container and configured to engage the drape and contact and apply forces to the limit switch to actuate the limit switch for activation of the heater; and

(b) receiving at least one item in the drape container within the receptacle so as to thermally treat the drape container and the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the elongated member of the limit switch comprises a temperature sensor, and the method further comprises:

(c) providing measured temperature information to the system, via the temperature sensor, wherein the measured temperature information represents the temperature of items disposed in the drape container within the receptacle.

22. A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when a basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

(a) receiving the engaging structure within the thermal treatment system such that the engaging structure engages the receptacle, wherein the engaging structure comprises an actuation member, and step (a) further comprises;

(a.1) receiving the actuation member within the receptacle such that the actuation member engages the limit switch, wherein engagement of the actuation member with the limit switch facilitates activation of the heater;

(b) receiving the drape within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape within the receptacle is configured to receive and retain fluids and other items and to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle; and

(c) receiving at least one item on the drape within the receptacle so as to thermally treat the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the actuation member is secured to the drape.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the actuation member is not secured to the drape, and step (a) occurs before step (b).

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the actuation member is not secured to the drape, and step (b) occurs before step (a) such that the drape is disposed between the actuation member and the receptacle.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the actuation member comprises an annular member, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the annular member around the elongated member of the limit switch.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the actuation member comprises a plate, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) engaging the elongated member of the limit switch with a channel of the plate.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the actuation member comprises a cover member including an opening to facilitate receipt of the elongated member of the limit switch, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the cover member over the elongated member of the limit switch.

29. A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system employing a removable basin and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle to receive the basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to activate the heater upon identification of an item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

(a) receiving the engaging structure within the thermal treatment system such that the engaging structure engages the basin, wherein step (a) further comprises;

(a.1) securing the engaging structure to an interior surface of a bottom portion of the basin after the basin is provided within the receptacle;

(b) receiving the drape within the basin of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape within the basin includes a drape container to receive and retain fluids and other items, and provides a barrier between items placed on the drape and the basin, and wherein the engaging structure is coincident the drape container; and

(c) receiving at least one item on the drape within the basin so as to thermally treat the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle, the well of the basin forming an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion within the basin, the engaging structure comprises a well secure structure disposed on a surface of the drape, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the well secure structure of the drape to the interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the basin includes an alignment channel section disposed on an interior surface of the basin that facilitates a selected alignment of the basin within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, the engaging structure comprises a securing member attached to the drape, and step (a.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1) securing the securing member of the drape to the alignment channel section of the basin.

32. A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle and comprises a temperature sensor, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

(a) receiving the engaging structure within the thermal treatment system, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with the basin of the thermal treatment system, and step (a) further comprises;

(a.1) securing the engaging structure to the basin after the basin is provided within the receptacle, and wherein the basin includes a rim disposed at an upper edge of the basin and a plurality of posts disposed at spaced locations along the rim, the engaging structure comprises fasteners that correspond with the posts, and step (a.1) further comprises;

(a.1.1) securing the fasteners of the engaging structure to the posts of the basin;

(b) receiving the drape within the basin of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape installed within the basin is configured to receive and retain fluids and other items and to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the basin;

(c) receiving at least one item on the drape within the basin so as to thermally treat the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater; and

(d) providing measured temperature information to the system, via the temperature sensor, wherein the measured temperature information represents the temperature of items disposed on the drape within the basin.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the fasteners are attached to the drape.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle, the well of the basin forming an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion within the basin, the engaging structure further comprises a well secure structure and a plurality of elongated arms, the well secure structure separately connects with each fastener via an elongated arm, and step (a1.1) further comprises:

(a.1.1.1) securing the well secure structure of the engaging structure to the interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the well secure structure and the fasteners are attached to the drape.