Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-16
2001-04-03
Cohen, Lee (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C607S104000, C607S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210428
ABSTRACT:
This application contains subject matter in common with the following copending patent applications:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/419,719, filed Apr. 10, 1995 entitled THERMAL BLANKET;
U.S. Reissue Application No. 08/658,356, filed Jun. 5, 1996, which is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,371;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/756,959, filed Dec. 3, 1996 entitled THERMAL BLANKET;
U.S. Re-Examination Application No. 90/004,529, filed Jan. 8, 1997, which is a re-examination of U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,371;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/831,603, filed Apr. 10, 1997 entitled THERMAL BLANKET;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/846,089, filed May 16, 1997 entitled THERMAL BLANKET; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/419,719, filed Apr. 10, 1995 entitled THERMAL BLANKET.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to thermal blankets used in a medical setting to deliver a bath of a thermally-controlled medium to a patient.
The thermal blanket prior art is best expressed in our prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,188 entitled “AIRFLOW COVER FOR CONTROLLING BODY TEMPERATURE.” In our prior patent, a self-erecting, inflatable airflow cover is inflated by the introduction into the cover of a thermally-controlled inflating medium, such as warmed air. When inflated, the cover self-erects about a patient, thereby creating an ambient environment about the patient, the thermal characteristics of which are determined by the temperature of the inflating medium. Holes on the underside of our prior art airflow cover exhaust the thermally-controlled, inflating medium from inside the cover to the interior of the erected structure. Our airflow cover is intended for the treatment of hypothermia, as might occur postoperatively.
Evaluation of our airflow cover by skilled practitioners has resulted in general approbation: the opinion is that the airflow cover efficiently and effectively accomplishes its purpose of giving a thermally-controlled bath. We have realized, however, that, while our prior art airflow cover achieves its objective, certain improvements to it are necessary in order to realize additional clinical objectives and to enjoy further advantages in its use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system and method for treating hypothermia utilize an inflatable device with an undersurface for expelling warmed air and a heater/blower assembly for inflating the inflatable device with warmed air. In one embodiment, the warmed air expelled through the under surface is maintained in a temperature range of 85.2° F. to 117.7° F. In another embodiment, the warmed air with which the inflatable device is inflated is maintained in a temperature range of 113.3° F. to 121.3° F. Various features in the structure of the inflatable device provide increased average temperature of the warmed air with which the inflatable device is inflated. These features include side vents and aperture density patterns in the undersurface.
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Augustine Medical, Inc. v. Gaymar Industries, In., 50 USPQ2d 1900 (CAFC 1999).
Arnold Randall C.
Augustine Scott D.
Augustine Medical, Inc.
Cohen Lee
Gray Care Ware Freidenrich
Ram Jocelyn Debra
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