Abstract: A medical tubing is used for heating an intravenous fluid immediately prior to the fluid's introduction into a patient. The medical tubing comprises an internal web with a heating element along a length of the web, which heats fluid passing through the tubing. Temperature sensors at an entrance and exit of the tubing communicate the temperatures of the unheated and heated fluid, which provides a feedback control circuit for regulating the amount of heat delivered to the fluid. Current carrying wires in the web dissipate heat and thereby heat the web, which in turn heats the fluid in the tubing. A heat controlling unit adjusts an electrical current transmitted to the current carrying wires in the web. The web may be formed separately from the tubing and subsequently inserted therein, or formed integrally with the tubing by, for example, an extruding process.

Abstract: A fluid blanket warming system for a patient includes a thermal blanket unit for receiving heated gas through a coupling port. A portable heat source includes a heater unit and a blower unit that are controlled by a control circuit for providing a desired output of temperature to a patient. A flexible conduit delivers the heated gas from the heat source to the thermal blanket. A temperature sensor unit can be mounted adjacent the thermal blanket unit and in contact with the gas received from the heater unit to provide a temperature signal representative of the heated gas. The temperature sensor unit can be mounted directly on the thermal blanket, on the coupler of the flexible conduit, or on a modular coupler to provide a temperature signal to the control circuit.

Abstract: 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. A thermal conditioning apparatus according to the present invention includes first and second pluralities of orifices, the first plurality of orifices being smaller than the second plurality. An inlet portion which receives the thermal conditioning medium is located closer to the first plurality of orifices than the second plurality of orifices. The combined use of smaller orifices in close proximity to the inlet portion with larger orifices distal from the inlet portion tends to minimize the thermal gradients that may occur.

Abstract: A thermal cover member for delivering a fluid to a patient's body, such as heated or cooled air, includes a hollow housing member having an inlet port for receiving the pressurized fluid. A plurality of cells are positioned about the housing member to create fluidic spaces for applying the fluid to the body of the patient. Each cell has a non-inflatable canopy with a continuous perimeter sealingly connected to the housing member with the housing member having a plurality of exit ports communicating with each cell to provide an egress of fluid. The fluidic spaces within a cell can be dimensioned to accommodate anatomical configurations of the patient's body and a thermo-chromatic indicator can be provided on the cover member to indicate a temperature of the corresponding fluidic space. The canopy can be transparent to permit viewing of the patient's body.

Abstract: An improved medical conduit including a heating element for controlling the temperature and humidity of a gas to be delivered to a recipient patient is disclosed. A flexible ribbon spanning the width of a flexible tubing and extending generally the length of the tubing is provided, where the flexible ribbon carries a heating element therein. The heating element, preferably an electrically conductive wire or plurality of wires, is connected to a power supply in order to heat the flow of gas traveling within the tube. The flow is heated as it passes over and around the heating element. The flexible ribbon supporting the heating element can be integral with the tubing or comprise an insertable unit which fits into the tubing.

Abstract: A fluid blanket warming system for a patient includes a thermal blanket unit for receiving heated gas through a coupling port. A portable heat source includes a heater unit and a blower unit that are controlled by a control circuit for providing a desired output to temperature to a patient. A flexible conduit delivers the heated gas from the heat source to the thermal blanket. A temperature sensor unit can be mounted adjacent the thermal blanket unit and in contact with the gas received from the heater unit to provide a temperature signal representative of the heated gas. The temperature sensor unit can be mounted directly on the thermal blanket, on the coupler of the flexible conduit, or on a modular coupler to provide a temperature signal to the control circuit.

Abstract: An intravenous (IV) fluid heat exchanger which transfers heat from a heating medium to an intravenous fluid being delivered to a patient. The IV fluid heat exchanger includes an input manifold for receiving the IV fluid and distributing the IV fluid through a plurality of passageways extending from the input manifold. An output manifold is also provided for receiving the IV fluid flowing through the passageways and directing the IV fluid through an exit path out of the IV fluid heat exchanger. The passageways are positioned in the proximity of the heating medium, wherein the passageways facilitate the transfer of heat from the heating medium to the IV fluid passing through the passageways. By providing a plurality of passageways for the IV fluid, the surface area of the IV fluid exposed to the inner surfaces of the heated passageways is optimized to improve the heating efficiency of the IV fluid heat exchanger.

Abstract: An endotracheal pressure monitoring and medication system includes an endotracheal tube having a primary lumen and a secondary lumen with a connector having an outside diameter configured to provide a frictional fit with a Y-tube and a tubular conduit with an outside diameter providing a frictional fit with a proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The connector includes a passageway extending from the tubular conduit to a fitting whereby medication can be applied or pressure can be monitored. A sleeve member extends about on a seal to the endotracheal tube with a cantilevered branch tube providing fluid communication with the secondary lumen. The cantilevered branch tube can be connected to a flexible tube member to enable either the application of medication or the monitoring of pressure.

Abstract: A blood oxygen saturation sensor or oximeter is mounted to a probe for insertion into the esophagus of a patient. The sensor includes a set of optical transmission elements and an optical detector for optically detecting the blood oxygen saturation of tissues of the esophagus. By mounting the blood oxygen saturation sensor to a probe for insertion into the esophagus, blood oxygen saturation measurements are obtainable at a physiologically stable site which is fully isolated from ambient light external to the patient. The probe for insertion into the esophagus may additionally be provided with a heart and respiration sound sensor and a temperature sensor. With such a combination, a single probe provides the detection of several useful physiological parameters, including temperature, heart, and respiration sounds and blood oxygen saturation levels. The esophageal probe is reliably and inexpensively constructed of few components and is ideally suited for one-time use.

Abstract: Temperature measurement with thermocouples is made more accurate, and the cost of disposable thermocouples is reduced by locating the cold junction close to the hot junction, utilizing a thermistor in thermal communication with the cold junction in developing a compensating voltage which varies with temperature as does the voltage produced by the cold junction, and applying the compensating voltage to cancel the cold junction voltage. The presence of radio frequency fields in the region of the thermocouple is detected and utilization of the thermocouple voltage is interrupted in intervals when the interference is greater than some preselected intensity. Further, the thermocouple voltage information is utilized to simulate the resistance a thermistor would have at the temperature represented by the thermistor voltage information and that simulated resistance is applied to instrumentation designed to measure temperature with a thermistor.

Abstract: Temperature measurement with thermocouples is made more accurate, and the cost of disposable thermocouples is reduced by locating the cold junction close to the hot junction, utilizing a thermistor in thermal communication with the cold junction in developing a compensating voltage which varies with temperature as does the voltage produced by the cold junction, and applying the compensating voltage to cancel the cold junction voltage. The presence of radio frequency fields in the region of the thermocouple is detected and utilization of the thermocouple voltage is interrupted in intervals when the interference is greater than some preselected intensity. Further, the thermocouple voltage information is utilized to simulate the resistance a thermistor would have at the temperature represented by the thermistor voltage information and that simulated resistance is applied to instrumentation designed to measure temperature with a thermistor.

Abstract: Temperature measurement with thermocouples is made more accurate, and the cost of disposable thermocouples is reduced by locating the cold junction close to the hot junction, utilizing a thermistor in thermal communication with the cold junction in developing a compensating voltage which varies with temperature as does the voltage produced by the cold junction, and applying the compensating voltage to cancel the cold junction voltage. The presence of radio frequency fields in the region of the thermocouple is detected and utilization of the thermocouple voltage is interrupted in intervals when the interference is greater than some preselected intensity. Further, the thermocouple voltage information is utilized to simulate the resistance a thermistor would have at the temperature represented by the thermistor voltage information and that simulated resistance is applied to instrumentation designed to measure temperature with a thermistor.