Abstract: An electric warming blanket for warming patients during surgery and other medical procedures includes a flexible heater and a temperature sensor assembly coupled thereto; a first layer of water resistant material coupled to a second layer of water resistant material, about a perimeter of the heater, forms a substantially hermetically sealed space for the heater and the temperature sensor assembly. The blanket may further include a thermal insulation layer disposed between the temperature sensor assembly and the first layer of water resistant material. The temperature sensor assembly may provide input of an average temperature over a portion of a surface area of the heater to a temperature controller, when the heater and sensor assembly are coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A flexible heating subassembly, which may be incorporated in an electric warming blanket or any other type of flexible heater, includes a single heater, which is preferably formed from an electrically conductive polymeric fabric. The subassembly further includes first and second conductive bus bars, each extending alongside a respective first and second edge of the heater, each being coupled to the heater by at least one row of stitching that extends along the respective bus bar. The edges of the heater may be folded over respective bus bars for coupling and each of the bus bars may terminate just beyond opposing ends of the heater. A ribbon of conductive material may be interposed between each of the bus bars and the heater.

Abstract: An electric warming blanket includes a flexible heater that may be enclosed within a flexible shell, which is, preferably, water resistant and may extend beyond lateral edges of the heater to support stiffening members. A layer of non-conductive flexible porous material may be bonded to one or both sides of the heater. When the heater is enclosed in the shell, a layer of thermal insulation may be disposed between one side of the heater and the shell. A temperature sensor may be coupled to the heater at a location where the heater will be in conductive contact with a body when the blanket is draped thereover, and at least one super-over temperature sensor may also be coupled to the heater; the at least one super over-temperature sensor is adapted to interrupt a supply of power to the heater.