Abstract: A securement device for securing a medical implement, such as a catheter to the body of a patient. The device comprises a pad or base having adhesive on at least a portion of the bottom surface for securing the pad to the body of a patient. A fixed plate and a rotatable adjustable plate are affixed to the pad. The adjustable plate is rotated with respect to the fixed plate to secure a catheter. Posts can be provided on the fixed plate and the adjustable plate to secure a winged catheter. A bracket can be affixed to a fixed plate or an adjustable plate and a cooperating tab can be affixed to the other plate for securing a catheter there between. In a modification, a fixed plate is affixed to the pad and a pair of adjustable plates can be rotatably secured on the fixed plate. Secured on the fixed plate are upright tabs and secured on the adjustable plates are brackets that are adapted to cooperate with the tabs.

Abstract: A securement device for securing a catheter to a patient comprises a pad having adhesive on at least a portion of the bottom surface. A fixed plate and a rotatable adjustable plate are affixed to the pad. The adjustable plate is rotated with respect to the fixed plate to secure a catheter. Posts are on the fixed plate and the adjustable plate to secure a winged catheter. A bracket can be affixed to a fixed plate or an adjustable plate and a cooperating tab can be affixed to the other plate for securing a catheter there between. In a further modification, a base is secured to a pad and a pair of plates is pivotally mounted on the base for rotation with respect to one another. Complementary pawl and ratchet members enable limited rotation of plates with respect to one another and to fix plates in selected adjustment position.

Abstract: A fluid disinfection unit [40] is incorporated into a patient warming/cooling system [10], to reduce the risk of bacteria buildup in the warming/cooling fluid, which is typically water. More particularly, a mobile housing [17] contains the operable components for circulating warming/cooling fluid to a patient [12], including a pump [23], a heating/cooling source [24], a reservoir [22], a controller [26] and a control panel [32] to assist a user in operating the components. The reservoir [22] has upper [22a] and lower [22b] sections, for replenishing water and circulating water, respectively. A UV source [40] is mounted so as to extend through both reservoir sections [22a, 22b], to simultaneously emit UV light into both sections during circulation of the warming/cooling fluid, thereby to disinfect the water contained therein. The UV source [40] includes a bulb [42] protected within a transparent cover [44] that is completely transparent, and has been treated so as to be shatterproof.

Abstract: A securement device for securing a medical implement, such as a catheter to the body of a patient. The device comprises a pad or base having adhesive on at least a portion of the bottom surface for securing the pad to the body of a patient. A fixed plate and a rotatable adjustable plate are affixed to the pad. The adjustable plate is rotated with respect to the fixed plate to secure a catheter. Posts can be provided on the fixed plate and the adjustable plate to secure a winged catheter. A bracket can be affixed to a fixed plate or an adjustable plate and a cooperating tab can be affixed to the other plate for securing a catheter there between. In a modification, a fixed plate is affixed to the pad and a pair of adjustable plates can be rotatably secured on the fixed plate. Secured on the fixed plate are upright tabs and secured on the adjustable plates are brackets that are adapted to cooperate with the tabs.

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: An inflatable blanket heater draws room air into the unit through a filtered intake by an electrically-powered blower. The air is compressed by the blower and warmed by an electric heater in the unit. The warmed air is forced through an outlet filter that removes air particles down to 0.2-micron. The filtered warmed air is delivered to a convective (inflatable) heating blanket by an air delivery hose.

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: A pneumotach gas flow transducer having strain gauge pressure transducers disposed therein for disposition in a selected element or component of a ventilatory circuit. A differential pressure is communicated from the upstream and downstream sides of a flow restrictor in the element's passageway to the transducers via a barrier medium which fills holes in the element and contacts the transducer elements.

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: A reusable cable apparatus for interfacing disposable temperature probes with a patient monitor. One reusable cable connects a thermocouple probe to the patient monitor and has a phone plug connection wherein a cold junction and cold junction compensation is located. A second reusable cable connects a thermistor probe to the patient monitor through a similar phone plug. Circuit means in the patient monitor receives either phone plug and produces an output signal which is substantially the same regardless of whether the thermocouple and first reusable cable or thermistor and second reusable cable are connected. The effect of secondary thermocouple junctions in interconnecting connector shells is substantially eliminated by connecting lead wires to contact pins such that the secondary junctions are physically close to one another.

Abstract: A single 400 series thermistor is interfaced to a patient monitor designed to accept only dual thermistor probes by a circuit including first and second cascaded negative impedance converters connected to first and second discrete resistors. The first and second discrete resistors are operative to alter the slope of and shift the resistance versus temperature characteristic of the circuit, while the negative impedance converters scale the characteristic.

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: Respiratory gas is humidified by flowing it along a flowpath at least a portion of whose wall is formed of a barrier material which is pervious to water vapor and impervious to water while the side of said wall opposite the flowpath is subjected to one or both of water and water vapor. Production of such a flowpath can be accomplished by compressing and bonding together selected portions of a resilient, open-celled material which is disposed as a layer between layers of water impermeable material at least one of which layers is permeable by water vapor.