Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with diverse-type art device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-06
2001-12-18
Hoang, Tu Ba (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with diverse-type art device
C219S528000, C219S549000, C607S096000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331695
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to a thermal warming blanket to be used for patient temperature management.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Peri-operative or peri-trauma hypothermia can have serious side effects for any patient. Negative effects include a decrease in cardiovascular stability, an increase in oxygen consumption, and a decrease in resistance to infection. The benefits of maintaining normothermia are well documented. Four recent publications are as follows:
Frank, S. M. et al.; Perioperative Maintenance of Normothermia Reduces the Incidence of Morbid Cardiac Events.
JAMA,
14:277, 1127-1134, April, 1997.
Cheney, F. W.; Should Normothermia be Maintained During Major Surgery?
JAMA,
14:277, 1165-1166, April, 1997.
Kurz, A.; Perioperative Normothermia to Reduce the Incidence of Surgical-Wound Infection and Shorten Hospitalization.
New England Journal of Medicine,
19:334, 1209-1213, May, 1996.
Sessler, D.; Mild Perioperative Hypothermia.
New England Journal of Medicine,
24:336, June, 1997.
Many methods have been employed to warm peri-operative and peri-trauma patients including heat lamps, water mattresses, warmed hospital blankets and warm air blowers. These have frequently proven to be impractical under usual operating constraints.
The most common method of treating hypothermia, heated hospital blankets, requires six or more applications before reaching normothermia. The small amount of heat retained by a cotton blanket quickly dissipates, thereby requiring the patients to rewarm themselves. Although warm blankets are simple and safe, they are inconvenient and time-consuming for the nursing staff.
A warm air heated blanket system is sold by Augustine Medical, Inc. under the name Bair Hugger™ Patient Warming System. This system is effective but requires a heavy heater/blower system that in many instances is impractical in confined hospital spaces. Also, this system is not desirable for patients with open wounds because the blower system can circulate germs.
A less common rewarming technique is the use of a water circulating mattress. The equipment is heavy, complex, expensive, and may leak. None of these warming systems are usable by paramedic rescue units or in an emergency room, where they are often needed most.
It is desirable to provide a system for warming patients which system overcomes one or more of the above described disadvantages.
It is an object of this invention to provide a disposable, electric cover for use in hospitals and emergency situations.
Another object of this invention to provide a portable power source to be connected to the electric blanket.
These, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent as the same becomes better understood from the Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a disposable blanket for one-time patient use including a sheet of plastic film having upper and lower sides, a heating matrix associated with the sheet of plastic film, the heating matrix including a circuit printed on one side of the sheet of plastic film, a cover extending over the printed circuit side of the sheet of plastic film, means for connecting the heating matrix with a power source, and means for controlling the temperature of the heating matrix.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a disposable blanket for one-time patient use including a sheet of polyethylene film having upper and lower sides; a heating matrix associated with one side of the sheet of plastic film; a polypropylene cover extending over the heating matrix at said one side of the sheet of polyethylene film; and means for connecting the heating matrix to a power source.
The present invention treats peri-operative and peri-trauma hypothermia by creating a personal environment of comforting warmth. The embodiment precludes patient hypothermia by providing patient warmth by means of a substantially fixed temperature disposable blanket for one-time patient use which operates at approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The blanket is advantageously heated by a rechargeable 12 volt direct current battery package. A thermostat is advantageously located in the middle of the blanket and is connected to a temperature controller which controls the flow of current so that the temperature of the blanket remains at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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“MBBNet profile of Augustine Medical, Inc.” <http://www.mbbnet.umn.edu/company_folder/ami.html>>, pp. 1-2, Augustine Medical, Inc., Copyright 1999.
“Augustine Medical” Home Page, <<http://www.augustinemedical.com/>>, p. 1., Augustine Medical, Inc., Copyright 1999.
“Augustine Medical—About Us” Web Page, <<http://www.augustinemedical.com/html/about_us.html>>, pp. 1-2, Augustine Medical, Inc., Copyright 1999.
“Bair Hugger Temperature Management” Web page, <http://www.augustinemedical.com/html/tm_home.html>>, p. 1., Augustine Medical, Inc., Copyright 1999.
“Bair Hugger Temperature Management—Benefits of Warning ” Web page, <<http://www.augustinemedical.com/html/benefits_of_warning.html>>, pp. 1-2., Augustine Medical, Inc., Copyright 1999.
Frank, S.M. et al.;Perioperative Maintenance of Normothermia Reduces the Incidence of Morbid Cardiac Events. JAMA, 14:277, pp. 1127-1134, Apr., 1997.
Cheney, F.W.;Should Normothermia be Maintained During Major Surgery? JAMA, 14:277, pp. 1165-1166, Apr., 1997.
Kurz, A.;Perioperative Normothermia to Reduce the Incidence of Surgical-Wound Infection and Shorten Hospitalization. New England Journal of Medicine, 19:334, pp. 1209-1215, May, 1996.
Sessler, D.;Mild Perioperative Hypothermia. New England Journal of Medicine, 24:336, pp. 1730-1737, Jun., 1997.
Hoang Tu Ba
Husch & Eppenberger LLC
Muir Robert E.
Musgrave Richard J.
Wesco, Inc.
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