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

• US 20020021741A1
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, Durward Faries Jr
• Original Assignee: Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, Durward Faries Jr
• Inventors: Faries, Durward I. Jr., Blankenship, Calvin, Heymann, Bruce R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,566,631 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/141
• 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 storage device for visually indicating a temperature of a medical item contained therein comprising:

a receptacle for containing said medical item having a particular temperature range for utilization; and

a temperature sensor disposed in thermal relation with said medical item and including a plurality of temperature sensitive substances each associated with a corresponding temperature range within an overall range of 50°

F.-150°

F., wherein each said substance is responsive to a temperature of said medical item and provides a visual indication of said item temperature when said item temperature is within said corresponding temperature range.

2. The medical storage device of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip providing a digital indication of said medical item temperature.

3. The medical storage device of claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes an intravenous solution bag and said medical item includes an intravenous solution.

4. The medical storage device of claim 3 wherein said temperature sensor is laminated to said intravenous solution bag.

5. The medical storage device of claim 3 wherein said intravenous solution bag is encased in a liner, and said temperature sensor is disposed between said liner and said intravenous solution bag.

6. The medical storage device of claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a bottle.

7. The medical storage device of claim 6 wherein said bottle includes a label and said temperature sensor is affixed to said label.

8. The medical storage device of claim 2 wherein said medical item includes an intravenously delivered fluid, and said receptacle includes a fluid delivery tube of an infusion system for providing said medical fluid to a patient.

9. The medical storage device of claim 1 wherein said medical item includes an intravenously delivered fluid, and said receptacle includes a holder of an infusion system for receiving a medical container of said intravenously delivered fluid and suspending said container from a support structure to facilitate infusion of said intravenously delivered fluid to a patient.

10. The medical storage device of claim 1 wherein:

said medical storage device is a thermal treatment system for thermally treating medical objects placed therein;

said medical item includes a medical fluid and said receptacle includes a plurality of thermal treatment system compartments each for receiving a medical container having said medical fluid contained therein; and

said medical storage device further includes a plurality of said temperature sensors, wherein each temperature sensor is disposed within a corresponding compartment in thermal relation with an associated medical container placed in that compartment and provides a visual temperature indication of medical fluid within said associated medical container.

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

a receptacle for receiving and securing said medical item within said device, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and

a temperature sensor disposed within said receptacle in thermal relation with said medical item and providing a visual indication of medical item temperature;

wherein said receptacle is configured to force said medical item against said temperature sensor to facilitate temperature measurement.

12. The medical device of claim 11 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.

13. The medical device of claim 12 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip providing a digital indication of said medical item temperature.

14. The medical device of claim 11 further including:

a base;

a display panel attached to said base and having said temperature sensor disposed on an interior surface thereof;

an item support attached to said base and displaced from said display panel to form said receptacle therebetween, wherein said display panel and item support secure said medical item within said receptacle and force said medical item against said temperature sensor; and

a device support attached to said item support and said base for reinforcing said medical device.

15. The medical device of claim 14 wherein said display panel further includes a handle to facilitate transport and handling of said medical device.

16. The medical device of claim 11 further including:

a base; and

a securing member attached to said base and including said temperature sensor disposed on an interior surface thereof, wherein said securing member and said base form said receptacle therebetween, and wherein said securing member is configured to contour and secure said medical item within said receptacle and force said temperature sensor against said medical item to facilitate temperature measurement.

17. The medical device of claim 11 wherein said medical device is attached to a support structure.

18. The medical device of claim 11 wherein said medical device is attached to a thermal treatment system.

19. The medical device of claim 11 wherein said temperature sensor includes a liquid crystal display.

20. The medical device of claim 11 wherein said temperature sensor includes a voice synthesizer to provide an audio indication of said medical item temperature.

21. The medical device of claim 11 wherein said temperature sensor includes an infra-red temperature sensor.

22. 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 temperature sensor for providing a visual temperature indication of said liquid, and wherein said inflatable pressure device is disposed within said receptacle adjacent said liquid-filled container; 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.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 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.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 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.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip providing a digital indication of said liquid temperature.

27. The system of claim 26 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.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip providing a digital indication of said medical item temperature.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing strip, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring said medical item temperature and providing a digital indication of said measured temperature via said temperature sensing strip.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein said receptacle includes an intravenous solution bag and said medical item includes an intravenous solution, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) containing said intravenous solution within said intravenous solution bag.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) laminating said temperature sensor to said intravenous solution bag.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) encasing said intravenous solution bag in a liner and disposing said temperature sensor between said liner and said intravenous solution bag.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein said receptacle includes a bottle, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) containing said medical item within said bottle.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said bottle includes a label, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) affixing said temperature sensor to said label.

36. The method of claim 30 wherein said medical item includes an intravenously delivered fluid and said receptacle includes a fluid delivery tube of an infusion system for providing said medical fluid to a patient, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) containing said intravenously delivered fluid within said fluid delivery tube.

37. The method of claim 29 wherein said medical item includes an intravenously delivered fluid and said receptacle includes a holder of an infusion system for receiving a medical container of said intravenously delivered fluid and suspending said container from a support structure to facilitate infusion of said intravenously delivered fluid to a patient, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) containing said medical container of said intravenously delivered fluid within said holder.

38. The method of claim 29 wherein said medical storage device is a thermal treatment system for thermally treating medical objects placed therein, said medical item includes a medical fluid and said receptacle includes a plurality of thermal treatment system compartments each for receiving a medical container having said medical fluid contained therein, said medical storage device further including a plurality of said temperature sensors, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) placing each temperature sensor within a corresponding compartment in thermal relation with an associated medical container placed in that compartment and providing a visual temperature indication of medical fluid within said associated medical container.

40. The method of claim 39 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.

41. The method of claim 40 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.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein said medical device includes a base, a display panel, an item support displaced from said display panel to form said receptacle therebetween and a device support to reinforce said medical device, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) securing said medical item within said receptacle via said display panel and item support; and

step (b) further includes;

(b.1) placing said temperature sensor on an interior surface of said display panel and forcing said medical item against said temperature sensor via said display panel and item support to facilitate temperature measurement.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said display panel further includes a handle, and step (a) further includes:

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

44. The method of claim 39 wherein said medical device further includes a base and a securing member attached to said base, wherein said securing member and said base form said receptacle therebetween, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) placing said temperature sensor on an interior surface of said securing member; and

(b.2) contouring and securing said medical item within said receptacle via said securing member and forcing said temperature sensor against said medical item to facilitate temperature measurement.

45. The method of claim 39 wherein step (a) further includes;

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

46. The method of claim 39 wherein step (a) further includes:

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

26. A temperature control system for heating medical items to desired temperatures comprising:

a system housing;

a heating chamber disposed within said housing for receiving at least one medical it em and heating said at least one medical item to a desired temperature, wherein said heating chamber includes;

at least one receptacle each for receiving a corresponding medical item and heating said corresponding medical item to said desired temperature;

a temperature sensor disposed in each receptacle in thermal relation with and for providing a temperature indication of a corresponding medical item; and

a heater for applying heat to said receptacle; and

a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for said heating chamber and to control said heater to heat said at least one medical item to said desired temperature.

29. A method of visually indicating a temperature of a medical item contained in a medical storage device comprising the steps of:

(a) containing said medical item in a medical storage device receptacle, wherein said medical item has a particular temperature range for utilization; and

(b) measuring and providing a visual indication of temperature of said medical item within said receptacle via a temperature sensor disposed in thermal relation with said medical item and including a plurality of temperature sensitive substances each associated with a corresponding temperature range within an overall range of 50°

F.-150°

F., wherein each said substance is responsive to a temperature of said medical item and provides said visual indication when said medical item temperature is within said corresponding temperature range.

39. A method of visually indicating a temperature of a medical item placed in a medical device comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving and securing said medical item within a receptacle 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 disposed within said receptacle in thermal relation with said medical item, wherein said receptacle is configured to force said medical item against said temperature sensor to facilitate temperature measurement.