INTRAVENOUS FLUID WARMING SYSTEM

• US 20140169775A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vital Signs Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Vital Signs Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Cassidy, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,022,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 392/470
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 having means for cooling or heating the devices or media

Abstract

A fluid warming device may include a housing comprising a main body, a heat exchange body receiving compartment, and a cover movably coupled to the main body between an open position and a closed position; a heater assembly disposed within the main body and having a heat conducting surface disposed proximate the heat exchange body receiving compartment; and a heat exchange body removably disposable in the heat exchange body receiving compartment of the main body and having an input port and an output port to couple the heat exchange body to tubing to flow a fluid to be warmed through the heat exchange body. In another aspect, a fluid warming system increases or decreases power to a heater assembly to adjust the fluid temperature to ensure that the fluid is at an appropriate temperature when it reaches the patient.

Claims

1. A fluid warming device, comprising:

a heat exchange body configured to conduct fluid from an input port to an output port;

a housing configured to removably receive the heat exchange body;

a heater assembly, having a temperature sensor, disposed within the housing, the heater assembly configured to transfer heat to the heat exchange body; and

a controller configured to adjust a heater power of the heater assembly based on the temperature sensor.

2. The fluid warming device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid line connected to the output port.

3. The fluid warming device of claim 2, wherein the controller adjusts the heater power based on a length of the fluid line.

4. The fluid warming device of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises a hollow portion around the output port, such that the heat exchange body is removable without disconnecting the fluid line.

5. The fluid warming device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a slidable cover.

6. The fluid warming device of claim 5, wherein the slidable cover includes a hollow portion for exposing at least the output port.

7. The fluid warming device of claim 5, wherein the slidable cover includes gripping teeth.

8. A fluid warming device, comprising:

a heat exchange body configured to conduct fluid therethrough in one direction from an input port to an output port;

a housing configured to removably receive the heat exchange body;

a heater assembly, having a temperature sensor, disposed within the housing, the heater assembly configured to transfer heat to the heat exchange body;

a first slidable cover and a second slidable cover configured to hold the heat exchange body against the heater assembly; and

a controller that adjusts a heater power of the heater assembly based on the temperature sensor.

9. The fluid warming device of claim 8, wherein the first slidable cover includes a first hollow portion for exposing the input port and the second slidable cover includes a second hollow portion for exposing the output port.

10. The fluid warming device of claim 8, wherein the first slidable cover includes a first face and the second slidable cover includes a second face, the first face touching the second face when the first and second slidable covers are fully closed.

11. The fluid warming device of claim 10, wherein the first and second faces include gripping teeth.

12. The fluid warming device of claim 8, further comprising a battery.

13. The fluid warming device of claim 12, wherein the heater assembly is powered by the battery when the first and second slidable covers are fully closed.

14. The fluid warming device of claim 12, further comprising a visual indicator for indicating a status of the battery.

15. The fluid warming device of claim 8, further comprising a proximity sensor configured to determine positions of the first and second slidable covers.

16. A fluid warming device, comprising:

a heat exchange body configured to conduct fluid from an input port to an output port;

an output fluid line connected to the output port;

a housing configured to removably receive the heat exchange body;

a heater assembly, having a temperature sensor, disposed within the housing, the heater assembly configured to transfer heat to the heat exchange body; and

a controller configured to;

determine a first temperature drop across the heat exchange body;

determine a second temperature drop across the output fluid line;

compare the first and second temperature drops to a temperature drop limit; and

adjust a heater power of the heater assembly based on the comparison.

17. The fluid warming device of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a fluid temperature based on the first temperature drop.

18. The fluid warming device of claim 16, wherein determining the second temperature drop is based on a length of the output fluid line.

19. The fluid warming device of claim 16, wherein the temperature sensor is in contact with the housing to measure an ambient temperature.

20. The fluid warming device of claim 16, wherein adjusting the heater power is further based on a target temperature.