Abstract: Certain embodiments pertain to a heater for warming a patient's extremity in order to cause vasodilation for facilitating venous catheterization.

Abstract: A cover includes an enclosure for a heating blanket which is formed between an upper sheet bonded to a lower sheet of the cover. An opening for the enclosure is formed by a panel of the upper sheet which is separable from the lower sheet.

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: An electric heating blanket system includes a flexible sheet-like heating element having a substantially uniform watt density output across a surface area thereof, when the heating element is electrically powered. A temperature sensor is coupled to the heating element at a location where the heating element will be in conductive contact with a body when the blanket is draped over the body. The system further includes a temperature controller coupled to the temperature sensor, and an electric power source coupled to the heating element and to the temperature controller, the power source being controlled to provide the watt density output for the heating element according to a temperature sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A flexible heating subassembly, that may be incorporated in a heating blanket or any other type of flexible heater, includes a conductive fabric heater to which first and second conductive bus bars, each being disposed alongside a respective first and second lateral edge of the heater, are coupled, each with a respective first and second row of conductive stitching. A first electrically insulating member is interposed between the first bus bar and the heater and is secured therebetween by the first row of stitching, and a second electrically insulating member is interposed between the second bus bar and the heater and is secured therebetween by the second row of stitching. The first and second insulating members prevent direct electrical contact between respective first and second 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.

Abstract: A heating blanket cover is constructed from a lower sheet, which may include a first material layer laminated to a second material layer, and an upper sheet bonded to the lower sheet along a longitudinally extending bonding site, wherein the upper sheet extends laterally from the bonding site over the lower sheet to a free edge. The bonding site may be formed by heat sealing the upper sheet to the lower sheet. A gap between the upper sheet and the lower sheet forms an enclosure to hold the heating blanket; the enclosure is accessible by lifting the free edge of the upper sheet away from the lower sheet. A series of covers may be formed, for example by a web-manufacturing process, by bringing together at least two lengths of materials, bonding the lengths together and assembling the lengths on a roll for dispensing of individual covers from the series.

Abstract: Certain embodiments pertain to a disposable sleeve for assisting in venous catherization that can be used in combination with a heater for protecting the patient's extremity from contamination by soiled heaters. The disposable sleeve also protects the heater from contamination by the patient.

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: A surgical barrier device includes an inflatable thermal blanket with an attached surgical drape. The inflatable thermal blanket is inflatable through an inlet by a thermally-controlled inflating medium. An aperture array on the undersurface of the inflatable thermal blanket exhausts the thermally controlled inflating medium from the inflatable thermal blanket. The surgical drape extends from the inflatable thermal blanket and is sized to substantially cover the entirety of the patient's body. Where patient access is required, that drape has an opening to provide access to a surgical site.

Abstract: A warming system, mounted to the foot of a bed, warms a person's lower extremities by directing air into the space between the mattress and overlaying blankets. A blower directs air into an elongated distribution chamber having many tiny exit apertures. The chamber is mounted at the foot of the bed, so that air exiting the apertures warms the person's feet. For maximum thermal transfer, the chamber is placed under the sheet and any blankets, but above the mattress cover and fitted sheet. The chamber may be implemented by a length of open cell foam, a hollow manifold with many punctures or other tiny distribution apertures, collapsible pocket, etc. While the person is lying on the bed beneath the blankets, with feet proximate the foot of the bed, the blower directs temperature-regulated air into the chamber and through the exit apertures, thereby warming the person's feet. A temperature regulator ensures a normothermic air temperature (or alternatively, hyperthermic air temperature.

Abstract: A method for an operator to handle a rake includes gripping, with a first hand, a handle of the rake in proximity to a mid-shaft portion of the handle, and gripping, with a second hand, the handle of the rake in close proximity to a free end of the handle such that a line extending across the row of teeth, being approximately perpendicular to the extension of a centrally located tooth of the row of teeth, forms an angle of less than ninety degrees with portions of the handle, the angle being on a first lateral side of the rake head that is adjacent to the operator.

Abstract: An ergonomic rake includes a handle extending from a free end through a mid-shaft portion, which includes first and second gripping locations. A head of the rake includes a row of teeth extending distally therefrom and is coupled to a coupling end of the handle such that a line extending across the row of teeth forms an angle of less than ninety degrees with the first and second gripping locations.

Abstract: Apparatus and a system for thermally comforting a patient include pneumatic, convective device providing thermal treatment for persons or animals. The pneumatic convective device is adapted to fit around a person's neck and provides convective warming focused or directed primarily on the thorax or body core. The pneumatic convective device includes an inlet, a region in distribution with the inlet for distributing a stream of pressurized, thermally treated air, and a permeable member for emitting pressurized, thermally treated air from the distribution region.

Abstract: Apparatus and a system for thermally comforting a patient include pneumatic, convective providing thermal treatment for persons or animals, which is adapted for use in combination with a clinical garment such as a hospital gown, robe, bib, and other equivalents. The pneumatic convective device provides convective warming focused or directly primarily on the thorax or body core. The pneumatic convective device includes at least one inlet for being accessed through a clinical garment, a region in distribution with the inlet for distributing a stream of pressurized, thermally treated air, and a permeable member for emitting pressurized, thermally treated air from the distribution region.

Abstract: A warming system, mounted to the foot of a bed, warms a person's lower extremities by directing air into the space between the mattress and overlaying blankets. A blower directs air into an elongated distribution chamber having many tiny exit apertures. The chamber is mounted at the foot of the bed, so that air exiting the apertures warms the person's feet. For maximum thermal transfer, the chamber is placed under the sheet and any blankets, but above the mattress cover and fitted sheet. The chamber may be implemented by a length of open cell foam, a hollow manifold with many punctures or other tiny distribution apertures, collapsible pocket, etc. While the person is lying on the bed beneath the blankets, with feet proximate the foot of the bed, the blower directs temperature-regulated air into the chamber and through the exit apertures, thereby warming the person's feet. A temperature regulator ensures a normothermic air temperature (or alternatively, hyperthermic air temperature.

Abstract: A warming system, mounted to the foot of a bed, warms a person's lower extremities by directing air into the space between the mattress and overlaying blankets. A blower directs air into an elongated distribution chamber having many tiny exit apertures. The chamber is mounted at the foot of the bed, so that air exiting the apertures warms the person's feet. For maximum thermal transfer, the chamber is placed under the sheet and any blankets, but above the mattress cover and fitted sheet. The chamber may be implemented by a length of open cell foam, a hollow manifold with many punctures or other tiny distribution apertures, collapsible pocket, etc. While the person is lying on the bed beneath the blankets, with feet proximate the foot of the bed, the blower directs temperature-regulated air into the chamber and through the exit apertures, thereby warming the person's feet. A temperature regulator ensures a normothermic air temperature (or alternatively, hyperthermic air temperature.

Abstract: A warming system, mounted to the foot of a bed, warms a person's lower extremities by directing air into the space between the mattress and overlaying blankets. A blower directs air into an elongated distribution chamber having many tiny exit apertures. The chamber is mounted at the foot of the bed, so that air exiting the apertures warms the person's feet. For maximum thermal transfer, the chamber is placed under the sheet and any blankets, but above the mattress cover and fitted sheet. The chamber may be implemented by a length of open cell foam, a hollow manifold with many punctures or other tiny distribution apertures, collapsible pocket, etc. While the person is lying on the bed beneath the blankets, with feet proximate the foot of the bed, the blower directs temperature-regulated air into the chamber and through the exit apertures, thereby warming the person's feet. A temperature regulator ensures a normothermic air temperature (or alternatively, hyperthermic air temperature.

Abstract: A non-contact wound covering for covering a wound. A peripheral sealing ring is covered by a barrier layer and this assembly is attached to the skin with an adhesive. The barrier layer and peripheral sealing ring together define a treatment volume over the wound. The barrier layer may include active and passive heaters and the sealing ring may dispense water to control the humidity of the treatment volume. One form of active heat is the transfer of a heated fluid to the wound covering.

Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device having a flexible portion to accommodate patient motion without peeling off. A removable wound heater may be used to treat the wound area.