Compressive patient warming device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016346161-A1
Application number	US-201615234963-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 11, 2016
Priority date	Mar 13, 2013
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A compressive patient warming device is provided. The device includes an elastic inner layer that conforms snugly to a shape of an appendage of a patient so that the inner layer wraps around and substantially contacts most of an underlying surface area of the appendage. An outer layer is attached to and covers the inner layer to form a space that holds a heat transfer medium between the inner layer and the outer layer while the inner layer is wrapped around the appendage. The outer layer may be a rigid layer, and a predetermined compressive load may be applied to the outer layer to encourage blood flow in the appendage. A source of heat may be applied to the device to maintain normothermia and/or treat hypothermia.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A compressive patient warming device comprising:
an elastic inner layer that conforms snugly to a shape of an appendage of a patient so that the elastic inner layer wraps around and substantially contacts most of an underlying surface area of the appendage; and an outer layer attached to and covering the elastic inner layer to form a space to hold a heat transfer medium between the elastic inner layer and the outer layer while the elastic inner layer is wrapped around the appendage, wherein the outer layer is a substantially rigid material that surrounds the elastic inner layer when the device is worn on the appendage.

22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the elastic inner layer comprises a compressive sleeve that is sufficiently strong to compress surface veins, arteries, and muscles of the appendage.

23 . The device of claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the elastic inner layer is concentric with the outer layer.

24 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a connection at which a portion of the outer layer is attached to a portion of the elastic inner layer.

25 . The device of claim 21 , further comprising a tab for fastening the outer layer around the appendage.

26 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the tab is configured to attach to an external surface of the outer layer.

27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the tab is configured to attach to the external surface of the outer layer by a hook and loop fastener, adhesive tabs, buttons, snaps, or press and seal fasteners.

28 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the heat transfer medium comprises one or more of a visco-elastic foam, a viscous gel, sand, heat transferring beads, or any combination thereof.

29 . A method for warming and applying compressive force on an appendage of a patient, the method comprising:
inserting an appendage of the patient into an elastic inner layer of a compressive patient warming device, the elastic inner layer conforming snugly to an irregular shape of the appendage so that the elastic inner layer wraps around and substantially contacts most of a surface area of the appendage; applying a predetermined compressive load on a rigid outer layer to encourage blood flow in the appendage, wherein the rigid outer layer adjoins the elastic inner layer forming a space therebetween to hold a heat transfer medium and the predetermined compressive load applies pressure to the appendage through the heat transfer medium and the elastic inner layer; and applying a source of heat to the compressive patient warming device.

30 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising applying a localized heat source at a section of the elastic inner layer that covers an area of high venous density on the appendage.

31 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising filling the space between the elastic inner layer and the rigid outer layer with the heat transfer medium.

32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the heat transfer medium is a visco-elastic foam, a viscous gel, sand, or heat transferring beads.

33 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the heat transfer medium is a liquid.

34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein applying the predetermined compressive load comprises connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid control pump, and controlling a liquid flow through the fluid inlet so as to inflate the space and exert pressure across a portion of the elastic inner layer that is in contact with an underlying surface area of the appendage.

35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein applying the source of heat comprises heating the liquid to a temperature that is about 20° C. to about 41° C.

36 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising directing the liquid from the space to a fluid outlet.

37 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising adjusting the rigid outer layer around the appendage using a tab attached to the rigid outer layer.

38 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the elastic inner layer comprises a non-permeable material.

39 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising inflating the space so that at least about 90% of the elastic inner layer is in contact with an underlying surface of the appendage.

40 . The method of claim 29 , wherein inserting the appendage into the elastic inner layer comprises inserting at least one or more of a hand, forearm, upper arm, calf, shin, and thigh of the patient, or any combination thereof, into the elastic inner layer.

Assignees

• Carefusion 2200 Inc

Inventors

• Varga Christopher M
• Mcmahon Michael
• Dillingham Thomas
• Chan James
• Schmaltz Todd
• Meade Noah
• Raeder-Devens Jennifer

Classifications

• A61H9/0078 Primary

  with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs (mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776) · CPC title

• A61H2201/0207

  heated · CPC title

• A61H2205/106

  for the lower legs · CPC title

• A61H2205/065

  Hands · CPC title

• A61H2201/10

  with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy · CPC title