Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-07
2001-08-21
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C607S112000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277144
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for thermally treating a patient. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inflatable apparatus for bathing a patient with a thermally conditioned medium. Such a treatment apparatus is useful for medically treating a patient suffering from hypothermia or hyperthermia, or for maintaining the body temperature of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional patient thermal treatment systems suffer from several disadvantages. First, conventional patient thermal treatment systems fail to deliver the thermal medium to the patient without encumbering access to the patient's body. Next, conventional patient thermal treatment systems are difficult to manufacture, consisting of numerous parts requiring a time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly manufacturing process to assemble into a completed system. Finally, conventional patient thermal treatment systems are thermally inefficient in treating patients. With conventional patient thermal treatment systems, patients are subjected to large thermal gradients within the thermal treatment apparatus, causing undesirable hot-spots or cool zones.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for treating a patient which is inexpensive, easy to manufacture, flexible in its operation, and provides a more uniform thermal treatment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for treating a patient which substantially eliminates one or more of the problems or disadvantages found in the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide for an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for treating a patient which is inexpensive.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for treating a patient which is easy to manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for treating a patient which allows for compact storage prior to its use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for treating a patient which is flexible in its operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for treating a patient which delivers a more uniform thermal treatment.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the invention contemplates a thermal conditioning apparatus for delivering a thermal medium to a patient including a first material layer having a substantially planar configuration and including a first and second plurality of orifices, the first plurality of orifices being smaller than the second plurality; a second material layer having a substantially planar configuration, the first material layer bonded to the second material layer at portions thereof to define an inflatable medium delivery space therebetween; and an inlet portion in connection with the medium delivery space to receive a thermally conditioned medium and disposed closer to the first plurality of orifices than to the second plurality of orifices wherein a lower volume of thermal medium is delivered to the patient through the first plurality and a higher volume of thermal medium is delivered to the patient through the second plurality.
In another aspect, the invention contemplates a thermal conditioning apparatus for delivering a thermal medium to a patient including a first material layer having a substantially planar configuration; a second material layer having a substantially planar configuration, the first material layer bonded to the second material layer at portions thereof to define an inflatable medium delivery space therebetween; an inlet portion in connection with the medium delivery space to receive a thermally conditioned medium; a plurality of orifices to deliver the thermally conditioned medium to the patient; and a cover portion formed from the first and second material layers wherein the cover portion is adapted to cover at least a portion of the patient in the conditioning apparatus.
It is to be understood that both the general description above, and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 359810 (1995-06-01), Namenye
patent: D. 362507 (1995-09-01), Zuck et al.
patent: 1004192 (1911-09-01), Phelan
patent: 1777982 (1930-10-01), Popp
patent: 1965424 (1934-07-01), Mascolo
patent: 2512559 (1950-06-01), Williams
patent: 2579964 (1951-12-01), Reynolds
patent: 2601189 (1952-06-01), Wales, Jr.
patent: 2706988 (1955-04-01), Weber
patent: 2930594 (1960-03-01), MacCracken
patent: 2991627 (1961-07-01), Suits
patent: 2998817 (1961-09-01), Armstrong
patent: 3418726 (1968-12-01), Sparks
patent: 3444922 (1969-05-01), Dingman
patent: 3610323 (1971-10-01), Troyer
patent: 3691646 (1972-09-01), Ruffolo
patent: 3714947 (1973-02-01), Hardy
patent: 3757366 (1973-09-01), Sacher
patent: 3778851 (1973-12-01), Howorth
patent: 3854156 (1974-12-01), Williams
patent: 3867939 (1975-02-01), Moore et al.
patent: 3881477 (1975-05-01), Von Otto
patent: 3908655 (1975-09-01), Lund
patent: 3942202 (1976-03-01), Chevrolet
patent: 4121571 (1978-10-01), Pickering
patent: 4136413 (1979-01-01), Scales
patent: 4139004 (1979-02-01), Gonzalez, Jr.
patent: 4149541 (1979-04-01), Gammons et al.
patent: 4398535 (1983-08-01), Guibert
patent: 4540412 (1985-09-01), Van Overloop
patent: 4660388 (1987-04-01), Greene, Jr.
patent: 4753241 (1988-06-01), Brannigan et al.
patent: 4807644 (1989-02-01), Sandhaus
patent: 4844072 (1989-07-01), French et al.
patent: 4867230 (1989-09-01), Voss
patent: 4871900 (1989-10-01), Hickman
patent: 4907308 (1990-03-01), Leininger et al.
patent: 4971056 (1990-11-01), Seacord
patent: 5044364 (1991-09-01), Crowther
patent: 5097829 (1992-03-01), Quisenberry
patent: 5125238 (1992-06-01), Ragan et al.
patent: 5165400 (1992-11-01), Berke
patent: 5168589 (1992-12-01), Stroh et al.
patent: 5184612 (1993-02-01), Augustine
patent: 5265599 (1993-11-01), Stephenson et al.
patent: 5300098 (1994-04-01), Philipot
patent: 5300101 (1994-04-01), Augustine et al.
patent: 5300102 (1994-04-01), Augustine et al.
patent: 5304213 (1994-04-01), Berke et al.
patent: 5304217 (1994-04-01), Stephenson et al.
patent: 5324320 (1994-06-01), Augustine et al.
patent: 5336250 (1994-08-01), Augustine
patent: 5343579 (1994-09-01), Dickerhoff et al.
patent: 5350417 (1994-09-01), Augustine
patent: 5360439 (1994-11-01), Dickerhoff et al.
patent: 5383918 (1995-01-01), Panetta
patent: 5392847 (1995-02-01), Stephenson
patent: 5405370 (1995-04-01), Irani
patent: 5443488 (1995-08-01), Namenye et al.
patent: 5545194 (1996-08-01), Augustine
patent: 5620482 (1997-04-01), Augustine et al.
patent: 5632769 (1997-05-01), Kappel et al.
patent: 5643337 (1997-07-01), Kappel et al.
patent: 5658325 (1997-08-01), Augustine
patent: 5674269 (1997-10-01), Augustine
patent: 5675848 (1997-10-01), Kappel
patent: 5697963 (1997-12-01), Augustine
patent: 5733318 (1998-03-01), Augustine
patent: 5891187 (1999-04-01), Winthrop et al.
patent: 113420 (1984-07-01), None
patent: 0 311 336 A1 (1989-04-01), None
patent: WO 97/14381 (1997-04-01), None
Beran Anthony V.
Shigezawa Gordon
Tomic-Edgar Kerry
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Kearney R.
Price and Gess
Respiratory Support Products Inc.
LandOfFree
Thermal conditioning apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Thermal conditioning apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermal conditioning apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2498714