Faries Jr. I, Durward (Las Vegas, NV, US)
Heymann, Bruce R. (Vienna, VA, US)
Blankenship, Calvin (Frostburg, MD, US)
Hendrix, David (Ashburn, VA, US)

Plaque It! Sponsored by: Flash of Genius

11/332859

08/26/2008

01/17/2006

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Patented Medical Solutions, LLC (Las Vegas, NV, US)

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A61F7/00; F27D11/00; F27D19/00; A61B19/00; A61B19/02

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1390500	Flexible water heater and dripper	September, 1921	Christian
1493450	Saline heating apparatus	May, 1924	Richardson
1659719	Blanket warmer	February, 1928	Blake
1726212	Irrigator for the intestines, bladder, pelvis, and the like	August, 1929	Bucky
1770832	Surgical appliance	July, 1930	Bass
1794215	Method of and apparatus for injecting medicated solutions	February, 1931	Titus
1838026	Apparatus for treating blood streams	December, 1931	Williams
1847573	Platen for presses with heating coils	March, 1932	Rupp
1847954	Colon irrigator	March, 1932	Fisher
1960417	Infusion apparatus	May, 1934	Pain, Jr.
1982213	Jacket for transfusion, infusion, and injection flasks	November, 1934	Hopkins
1987119	Heater for fluids	January, 1935	Long
1995302	Adjustable heating infusion apparatus	March, 1935	Goldstein
2063902	Surgeon's electrical heating device for flowing fluids	December, 1936	Beasley
2087586	Heater for hypodermic solutions and the like	July, 1937	Tishman
2124293	Infusion apparatus	January, 1938	Goldstein
2175099	Method and apparatus for producing coated rubber-insulated conductors	October, 1939	Abbott
2204764	Thermometer attachment for fountain syringe bags or similar containers	June, 1940	Mayo
2214215	Milk testing cabinet	September, 1940	Watermann et al.
2254994	Transfusion apparatus	September, 1941	Butland
2470481	Fluid heater	May, 1949	Freeman
2576874	Beverage and food cabinet with a heating element therein	November, 1951	Acton
2713112	Bottle or container warmer	July, 1955	Mills et al.
2741099	Apparatus for indicating and controlling the temperature of products within predetermined limits	April, 1956	Beane
2766907	Pressure infusion apparatus	October, 1956	Wallace, Jr.
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2885526	Electric oven	May, 1959	Paulding
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3140716	Heat exchanger for blood	July, 1964	Harrison et al.
3193339	Storage facility for small articles	July, 1965	Cooper
3241603	Automatic temperature control system	March, 1966	Nagata
3247851	Apparatus for applying liquids to the body	April, 1966	Seibert
3255812	Hot and cold food server	June, 1966	Bayane et al.
3293868	Fluid cooling apparatus	December, 1966	Gonzalez
3329202	Temperature control chamber utilizing operational power supplies	July, 1967	Birman
3353589	Automatic control circuit for regulating temperature	November, 1967	Tope et al.
3370153	Electric heating apparatus for warming a parenteral fluid	February, 1968	Du Fresne et al.
3386498	Temperature control system	June, 1968	Funfstuck
3475590	THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRICALLY HEATED CLINICAL BLOOD WARMER	October, 1969	Pins
3485245	PORTABLE FLUID HEATER	December, 1969	Lahr et al.
3536132	FREEZER-OVEN UNIT	October, 1970	Pecoraro et al.
3551641	REFRIGERATED INTRAVENOUS LIQUID WARMING DEVICE	December, 1970	Truhan
3590215	CLINICAL FLUID WARMER	June, 1971	Anderson et al.
3612059		October, 1971	Ersek
3612165	TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS	October, 1971	Haynes
3614385	BLOOD-HEATING APPARATUS	October, 1971	Horstmann
3629552	HEATING DEVICE FOR PARENTERAL FLUID	December, 1971	Edging
3640277	MEDICAL LIQUID ADMINISTRATION DEVICE	February, 1972	Adelberg
3651695	COLORIMETRIC TEMPERATURE SENSOR	March, 1972	Brown
3704625	THERMOMETER USING LIQUID CRYSTAL COMPOSITIONS	December, 1972	Seto et al.
3713302	PERSONAL INSULIN COOLER	January, 1973	Reviel
3777187	CONTROLLER CIRCUIT	December, 1973	Kohn
3826305	TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER FOR CONTROLLING BOTH HEATING AND COOLING	July, 1974	Fishman
3858106	A CONTROL CIRCUIT UTILIZING TEMPERATURE ACTUATED SWITCHES AND SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS FOR REVERSING THE POLARITY OF DIRECT CURRENT APPLIED TO A LOAD	December, 1974	Launius
3861213	DIGITAL THERMOMETER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE	January, 1975	Parker
3864976	REUSABLE BOTTLE THERMOMETER	February, 1975	Parker
3879171	Electric heating assembly for sterilant packages	April, 1975	Tulis
3895741	Intravenous fluids administration apparatus	July, 1975	Nugent
3908652	Medical infusion apparatus	September, 1975	Weissinger
3940742	Data acquisition, storage and display system	February, 1976	Hudspeth et al.
4024377	Hot well and method of heating	May, 1977	Henke
4038519	Electrically heated flexible tube having temperature measuring probe	July, 1977	Foucras
4084080	Towel heater and dispenser	April, 1978	McMahan
4090514	Pressure infusion device	May, 1978	Hinck et al.
4098123	Method and apparatus for measuring the operating temperature of blood warming apparatus	July, 1978	Granzow, Jr.
4167663	Blood warming apparatus	September, 1979	Granzow, Jr. et al.
4189995	Apparatus for heating food	February, 1980	Löhr et al.
4233495	Food warming cabinet	November, 1980	Scoville et al.
4293762	Temperature-controlled electric heating device for heating instillation or transfusion liquids	October, 1981	Ogawa
4309592	Electric heating device for heating sterilized fluids, such as blood	January, 1982	Le Boeuf
4318276	Self-registering temperature control device	March, 1982	Sato et al.
4328676	Thermoelectric environmental chamber	May, 1982	Reed
4331859	Device for sterilizing false teeth	May, 1982	Thomas et al.
4336435	Microwave apparatus for heating liquid in a closed plastic container	June, 1982	Kashyap et al.
4356383	Thermostatically controlled electric fluid heating apparatus	October, 1982	Dahlberg
4364234	Control circuitry for thermoelectric environmental chamber	December, 1982	Reed
4375813	Medical fluid flow rate controlling device	March, 1983	Hessel
4384578	Bio-medical flow sensor	May, 1983	Winkler
4407133	Self-contained portable temperature-controlled chamber for medications and the like	October, 1983	Edmonson
4419568	Wet dressings heater	December, 1983	VanOverloop
4430078	Blood infusion pump	February, 1984	Sprague
4448204	Liquid crystal infiltration sensing system	May, 1984	Lichtenstein
4455478	Portable unit for heating packaged food	June, 1984	Guibert
4464563	Intravenous fluid warmer	August, 1984	Jewett
4468137	Temperature indicating devices	August, 1984	Hilsum et al.
4476877	Fluid temperature sensor	October, 1984	Barker
4481410	Fail safe sterilizing apparatus and a circuit therefor	November, 1984	Bortnik
4490884	Adjustable friction hinge	January, 1985	Vickers
4495402	Warmer for temperature conditioning wet dressings and other articles	January, 1985	Burdick et al.
4509532	Cardioplegia temperature indicator	April, 1985	DeVries
4523078	Portable electrically heated warming container for transporting infusions in a rescue vehicle	June, 1985	Lehmann
4531941	Method and apparatus for administering blood	July, 1985	Zasuwa
4532414	Controlled temperature blood warming apparatus	July, 1985	Shah et al.
4551136	Pressure infusor	November, 1985	Mandl
4585441	IV fluid control system with fluid runaway prevention	April, 1986	Archibald
4605840	Horizontal holding cabinet for prepared food	August, 1986	Koopman
4613327	Apparatus for infusing blood and other related fluids into a patient's body	September, 1986	Tegrarian et al.
4614514	Microwave sterilizer	September, 1986	Carr et al.
4625086	Cooking apparatus capable of displaying the ratio of elapsed cooking time to pre-set time	November, 1986	Karino
4626243	Gravity-independent infusion system	December, 1986	Singh et al.
4628186	Heater-scale for heating fluids for injection into a patient	December, 1986	Bergemann et al.
4647756	Electrical resistance heating element with signal means to indicate first use	March, 1987	Willis
4651813	Thermostat for the setting of a constant temperature for a fluid	March, 1987	Witt et al.
4657004	Mobile livestock intensive care unit	April, 1987	Coffey
4678460	Portable rapid massive parenteral fluid warming and infusion apparatus	July, 1987	Rosner
4680445	Electronically-controlled heating device for infusion liquids	July, 1987	Ogawa
4682979	Colon washing methods and apparatus	July, 1987	Girouard
4684367	Ambulatory intravenous delivery system	August, 1987	Schaffer et al.
4705505	Rapid solution administration set with integral heat exchanger	November, 1987	Fried
4707587	Blood warming method and apparatus using gaseous heat exchange medium	November, 1987	Greenblatt
4709135	Device to heat infusion and transfusion solutions	November, 1987	Dietrich et al.
4726193	Temperature controlled picnic box	February, 1988	Burke et al.
4735609	IV fluid warmer	April, 1988	Comeau et al.
4745248	Method of heating and storing liquids	May, 1988	Hayes
4747450	Method for producing heat sink and heat sink thus produced	May, 1988	Ikegame et al.
4747826	Rapid venous infusion system	May, 1988	Sassano
4756299	Chemical heating pad with differing air-admitting perforation sets for different heat-generation levels	July, 1988	Podella
4759749	Heater for physiological fluids	July, 1988	Verkaart
4772778	Temperature-controlled electric device for heating transfusion fluids	September, 1988	Ogawa
4781548	Infusion pump system and conduit therefor	November, 1988	Alderson et al.
4782212	Electric blood warmer utilizing a metallic ribbon-flow cartridge	November, 1988	Bakke
4801777	Blood rewarming method and apparatus	January, 1989	Auerbach
4804367	Suspendable, thermally insulating jacket for I.V. fluid bags	February, 1989	Smith et al.
4808159	Apparatus and method for admixture blood warming	February, 1989	Wilson
4814570	Automatic heating apparatus provided with gas and weight sensors	March, 1989	Takizaki
4823554	Vehicle thermoelectric cooling and heating food and drink appliance	April, 1989	Trachtenberg et al.
4832689	Infusion means	May, 1989	Mauerer et al.
4844074	Method and apparatus for introducing a fluid into a human or animal organism as well as method and heating device for temperature control	July, 1989	Kurucz
4847470	Electric blood warmer utilizing metallic ribbon flow cartridge and low thermal mass heating units	July, 1989	Bakke
4859360	Cholesteric liquid crystal formulations and time/temperature monitoring means	August, 1989	Suzuki et al.
4874033	Rapid warmer for blood and blood products	October, 1989	Chatelain et al.
4874359	Power infuser	October, 1989	White et al.
4878537	Heat exchanger for physiological fluids	November, 1989	Verkaart
4878588	Baby nursing bottle with temperature indicator	November, 1989	Ephraim
4883117	Swirl flow heat exchanger with reverse spiral configuration	November, 1989	Dobbs et al.
4894207	Recirculating high velocity hot air sterilizing device	January, 1990	Archer et al.
4900308	Gas elimination device	February, 1990	Verkaart
4906816	Blood heating apparatus for heating plastic blood supply pouches	March, 1990	Van Leerdam
4910386	Apparatus for heating medical or dental instruments	March, 1990	Johnson
4916386	Microwave wattage indicator	April, 1990	Schulz
4923681	High velocity hot air sterilization device with controller	May, 1990	Cox et al.
4934336	Apparatus and method for warming intravenous equipment	June, 1990	White
4935604	Method and apparatus for hot air sterilization of medical instruments	June, 1990	Allen et al.
4961320	Conveying and storage device for thermosensitive products	October, 1990	Gutmann
4994021	Apparatus and method for collecting and freezing blood plasma	February, 1991	Smith et al.
5013889	Electric blood warmer utilizing heating by condensation	May, 1991	Bakke
5019047	Fluid delivery apparatus	May, 1991	Kriesel
5042455	Fluid warmer	August, 1991	Yue et al.
5059182	Portable infusion device	October, 1991	Laing
5061241	Rapid infusion device	October, 1991	Stephens, Jr. et al.
5061630	Laboratory apparatus for optional temperature-controlled heating and cooling	October, 1991	Knopf et al.
5063994	Reflux fluid heated patient line	November, 1991	Verkaart
5073167	In-line microwave warming apparatus	December, 1991	Carr et al.
5075167	Magnetic recording medium	December, 1991	Yamauchi et al.
5081697	Container and apparatus for warming of infusion liquid and transfusion liquid	January, 1992	Manella
5096822	Bovine embryo medium	March, 1992	Rosenkrans, Jr. et al.
5097898	End caps for reflux fluid heated patient line	March, 1992	Verkaart
5106373	Convective warming of intravenously-administered fluids	April, 1992	Augustine et al.
5108372	Intravenous fluid temperature regulation method and apparatus	April, 1992	Swenson
5125069	Blood warmer	June, 1992	O'Boyle
5125900	Device for heating and pressurizing fluid-filled containers	June, 1992	Teves
5129033	Disposable thermostatically controlled electric surgical-medical irrigation and lavage liquid warming bowl and method of use	July, 1992	Ferrara et al.
5153827	An infusion management and pumping system having an alarm handling system	October, 1992	Coutre et al.
5169389	Fluid delivery apparatus	December, 1992	Kriesel
5172347	Time displaying apparatus	December, 1992	Masuda
5180896	System and method for in-line heating of medical fluid	January, 1993	Gibby et al.
5183994	Heated drug box	February, 1993	Bowles, Sr. et al.
5184613	Thermal pack heel warming apparatus for a neonate or infant	February, 1993	Mintz
5195976	Intravenous fluid temperature regulation method and apparatus	March, 1993	Swenson
5205820	Fluid delivery apparatus	April, 1993	Kriesel
5211631	Patient warming apparatus	May, 1993	Sheaff
5217064	Temperature controlled pharmaceutical storage device with alarm detection and indication means	June, 1993	Kellow et al.
5232439	Method for pumping fluid from a flexible, variable geometry reservoir	August, 1993	Campbell et al.
5241951	Therapeutic nonambient temperature fluid circulation system	September, 1993	Mason et al.
5243172	Cook-top with automatic controls	September, 1993	Hazan et al.
5243833	Device for thawing frozen transfusion material and method therefore	September, 1993	Coelho et al.
5245693	Parenteral fluid warmer apparatus and disposable cassette utilizing thin, flexible heat-exchange membrane	September, 1993	Ford et al.
5250032	Heater for in vivo blood infusion	October, 1993	Carter, Jr. et al.
5254094	Physiological fluid warmer	October, 1993	Starkey et al.
5261411	Thermal drift correction while continuously monitoring cardiac output	November, 1993	Hughes
5261875	Method and apparatus for injection of gas hydrates	November, 1993	Spears et al.
5263323	Heat-activated drug delivery system and thermal actuators therefor	November, 1993	Maus et al.
5263929	Portable fluid administration container with integral heat exchanger	November, 1993	Falcone et al.
5276310	Electrically heated toolbox	January, 1994	Schmidt et al.
5279558	Fluid delivery apparatus with an additive	January, 1994	Kriesel
5279598	Patient warming methods	January, 1994	Sheaff
5282264	Apparatus for thawing and warming fluids for intravenous administration utilizing heater air recirculation	January, 1994	Reeves et al.
5282683	Fluid-temperature testing assembly	February, 1994	Brett
5290230	Intraluminal catheter with a composite shaft	March, 1994	Ainsworth et al.
5296684	Device for detecting a cooking vessel positioned in a heating zone of a cooker or heater	March, 1994	Essig et al.
5297234	Method and apparatus for the rapid thermal processing of transfusion fluid	March, 1994	Harms et al.
5308335	Infusion pump, treatment fluid bag therefor, and method for the use thereof	May, 1994	Ross et al.
5315830	Modular thermoelectric assembly	May, 1994	Doke et al.
5318540	Controlled release infusion device	June, 1994	Athayde et al.
5330431	Infusion pump	July, 1994	Herskowitz
5333326	Method and apparatus for producing surgical slush and heated sterile liquid	August, 1994	Faries, Jr. et al.
5338157	Systems and methods for communicating with ambulatory medical devices such as drug delivery devices	August, 1994	Blomquist
5342313	Fluid pump for a flexible, variable geometry reservoir	August, 1994	Campbell et al.
5345923	Commercial hot air impingement cooking apparatus	September, 1994	Luebke et al.
5348539	Infusion pump for use with prepackaged IV bags	September, 1994	Herskowitz
5364371	Intravenous fluid delivery device	November, 1994	Kamen
5364385	Storage bag for blood and blood components	November, 1994	Harms et al.
5370674	Method of heating medical liquids	December, 1994	Farrell
5381510	In-line fluid heating apparatus with gradation of heat energy from inlet to outlet	January, 1995	Ford et al.
5389078	Programmable infusion pump for administering medication to patients	February, 1995	Zalesky et al.
5397875	Portable appliance for heating towels and for dispensing heated fluid such as body oil to facilitate the administration of a massage	March, 1995	Bechtold, Jr.
5399007	Medical treatment cabinet	March, 1995	Marconet
5399166	Portable infusion device	March, 1995	Laing
5408576	IV fluid warmer	April, 1995	Bishop
5408577	Method and heater apparatus with protective fuse for medical applications	April, 1995	Weber, Jr. et al.
5411480	Fluid delivery apparatus	May, 1995	Kriesel
5411482	Valve system and method for control of an infusion pump	May, 1995	Campbell
5415282	Thermal storage and/or shipping container with leak-resistant bag	May, 1995	Kienholz
5417274	Heater for physiological solutions effective at both low and high flow rates	May, 1995	Verkaart
5420962	Convection blood warming system with disposable flattened tube envelope having vent incorporating a hydrophobic filter	May, 1995	Bakke
5423759	Valve system and method for control of an infusion pump	June, 1995	Campbell
5424512	Method and device for detecting the presence of a body, for example a saucepan, on a glass ceramic cooking hob in correspondence with a heating element associated with said hob	June, 1995	Turetta et al.
5433704	Infusion pump, treatment fluid bag therefor, and method for the use thereof	July, 1995	Ross et al.
5451209	Intraluminal catheter with a composite shaft	September, 1995	Ainsworth et al.
5474538	Apparatus for the warming of fluids in medical applications	December, 1995	Stihler et al.
5482373	Thermochromatic indicator for beverage containers	January, 1996	Hutchinson
5483799	Temperature regulated specimen transporter	January, 1996	Dalto
5485408	Pump simulation apparatus	January, 1996	Blomquist
5492534	Controlled release portable pump	February, 1996	Athayde et al.
5512043	Needleless injection site	April, 1996	Verkaart
5514095	Apparatus for heating, filtering and eliminating gas from biological fluids	May, 1996	Brightbill et al.
5523055	Fluid specimen collection and testing apparatus	June, 1996	Hansen et al.
5524643	Method and apparatus for detection of liquid and leaks in surgical drapes used with surgical equipment	June, 1996	Faries, Jr. et al.
5531697	Systems and methods for cassette identification for drug pumps	July, 1996	Olsen et al.
5531698	Optical reflection systems and methods for cassette identification fordrug pumps	July, 1996	Olsen
5538399	Reservoir enclosure methods	July, 1996	Johnson
5540561	Reservoir enclosure arrangements	July, 1996	Johnson
5540901	Sterilization tray system for surgical instruments	July, 1996	Riley
5564915	Pressure plate for pump and reservoir enclosure	October, 1996	Johnson
5567119	Bag/syringe enclosure arrangements and methods	October, 1996	Johnson
5567136	Pressure plate for pump and reservoir enclosure	October, 1996	Johnson
5572873	Carrier method and apparatus for maintaining pharmaceutical integrity	November, 1996	Lavigne et al.
5575563	Multiusage thermometer	November, 1996	Chiu et al.
5584811	Infusion pump, treatment fluid bag therefor, and method for the use thereof	December, 1996	Ross et al.
5590648	Personal health care system	January, 1997	Mitchell et al.
RE35501	Infusion pump, treatment fluid bag therefor, and method for the use thereof	May, 1997	Ross et al.
5634426	Absorption depletion indicators for anesthetic gas administration systems	June, 1997	Tomlinson et al.
5647854	Base plate for a drug pump	July, 1997	Olsen et al.
5649910	Fluid delivery apparatus and method of making same	July, 1997	Kriesel et al.
5653905	Royalton natural air movement system	August, 1997	McKinney
5658250	Systems and methods for operating ambulatory medical devices such as drug delivery devices	August, 1997	Blomquist et al.
5658252	Drug pump including pressure plate and tube	August, 1997	Johnson
5658478	Automatic heating assembly with selective heating	August, 1997	Roeschel et al.
5661978	Medical dispensing drawer and thermoelectric device for cooling the contents therein	September, 1997	Holmes et al.
5669877	Systems and methods for automated testing of medical equipment	September, 1997	Blomquist
5681284	Infusion pump with tube spike holder	October, 1997	Herskowitz
5683381	In-line microwave warming apparatus	November, 1997	Carr et al.
5690614	Microwave apparatus for warming low flow rate infusates	November, 1997	Carr et al.
5695473	Occlusion detection system for an infusion pump	December, 1997	Olsen
5707431	Vortex gas elimination device	January, 1998	Verkaart et al.
5713864	Integral conductive polymer resistance heated tubing	February, 1998	Verkaart
5720728	Teardrop shaped pressurizing apparatus	February, 1998	Ford
5729653	Fluid warming system	March, 1998	Magliochetti et al.
5733263	Thermal retention system and method	March, 1998	Wheatman
5738442	Wine thermometer	April, 1998	Paron et al.
5743878	Infusion pump, treatment fluid bag therefor, and method for the use thereof	April, 1998	Ross et al.
5755275	Tubed lamination heat transfer articles and method of manufacture	May, 1998	Rose et al.
5772409	Drug infusion device with pressure plate	June, 1998	Johnson
5779364	Temperature sensitive device for medicine containers	July, 1998	Cannelongo et al.
5786568	Programmable oven for cooking holding and proofing comestibles	July, 1998	McKinney
5788669	Pump tracking system	August, 1998	Peterson
5788671	Reusable cassette housings and methods	August, 1998	Johnson
5806528	In-line temperature sensing devices, systems and methods	September, 1998	Magliochetti
5807332	Tube apparatus for warming intravenous fluids within an air hose	September, 1998	Augustine et al.
5810771	Systems and methods for automated testing of medical equipment	September, 1998	Blomquist
5817146	Patient warming system with IV fluid warmer	October, 1998	Augustine
5823746	Reusable pressure plates and methods	October, 1998	Johnson
5824000	Pressure infuser apparatus	October, 1998	Pavlo et al.
5840068	Rapid infusion system	November, 1998	Cartledge
5858303	Method and system for simultaneous microwave sterilization of multiple medical instruments	January, 1999	Schiffmann et al.
5868195	Rethermalization system	February, 1999	Westbrooks, Jr.
5868250	Tray for holding medical instruments	February, 1999	Brackett
5875282	Medical apparatus for warming patient fluids	February, 1999	Jordan et al.
5876370	Intermittent fluid delivery apparatus and method	March, 1999	Blomquist
5879143	Reservoir enclosure adaptors and methods	March, 1999	Cote et al.
5879329	Infusion systems and methods for introducing fluids into the body within a desired temperature range	March, 1999	Ginsburg
5891096	Medicament infusion device	April, 1999	Hyun et al.
5893843	Potentiometer-controlled fluid ejection device	April, 1999	Rodrigues
5897207	Beverage temperature notification device	April, 1999	Hartmann
5910210	Device for institutional distribution of meals	June, 1999	Violi et al.
5919218	Cartridge for in-line microwave warming apparatus	July, 1999	Carr
5924289	Controlled temperature cabinet system and method	July, 1999	Bishop, II
5928196	Control module cassette locks and methods	July, 1999	Johnson et al.
5935099	Drug pump systems and methods	August, 1999	Peterson et al.
5935106	Occlusion detection system for an infusion pump	August, 1999	Olsen
5954485	Free-flow protection devices and methods	September, 1999	Johnson et al.
5954700	Medication cartridge for an electronic pen-type injector, or the like, and method of making the same	September, 1999	Kovelman
5961492	Fluid delivery device with temperature controlled energy source	October, 1999	Kriesel et al.
5961700	Filter system for removal of gas and particulates from cellular fluids	October, 1999	Oliver
5977520	Heating unit for therapeutic moist heat packs	November, 1999	Madson, Jr. et al.
5986239	Conductive warmer for foam packaging bags	November, 1999	Corrigan, III et al.
5989238	Infusion systems and methods for introducing fluids into the body within a desired temperature range	November, 1999	Ginsburg	604/500
6024539	Systems and methods for communicating with ambulatory medical devices such as drug delivery devices	February, 2000	Blomquist
6035102	Cylindrical electric liquid warming system utilizing heating by condensation	March, 2000	Bakke
6039926	Forced hot air sterilizing method and apparatus	March, 2000	Goldman
6045648	Thermoset adhesive having susceptor particles therein	April, 2000	Palmgren et al.
6061303	Programmable time recorder	May, 2000	Gauthier et al.
6062429	Apparatus for supporting and discharging flexible fluid containers	May, 2000	West et al.
6096007	Pressure container for applying pressure to a flexible bag received in it and filled with a medical fluid	August, 2000	Haan et al.
6102044	Electrode carrying surgical drape and method	August, 2000	Naidyhorski
6117122	Foldable dialysis unit with integral pump and a method for performing solution exchange	September, 2000	Din et al.
6124572	Food warmer cabinet having an improved drawer slide assembly	September, 2000	Spilger et al.
6129702	Medicament dosing system	October, 2000	Woias et al.
6139528	Intravenous warming system	October, 2000	Kistner et al.
6142974	Portable I.V. fluid warming system	November, 2000	Kristher et al.
6146359	Apparatus for controlledly warming low flow rate infusates	November, 2000	Carr et al.
6174300	Fluid delivery device with temperature controlled energy source	January, 2001	Kriesel et al.
6175099	Holding or cooking oven	January, 2001	Shei et al.
6175688	Wearable intravenous fluid heater	January, 2001	Cassidy et al.
6221045	Angiographic injector system with automatic high/low pressure switching	April, 2001	Duchon et al.
6221051	Delivery device and method for its operation	April, 2001	Hjertman et al.	604/189
6248077	System for sensing a characteristic of fluid flowing to or from a body	June, 2001	Elson et al.
6254572	Medical fluid injector having watchdog circuit	July, 2001	Knifper et al.
6257759	Liquid crystal thermometer	July, 2001	Witonsky et al.
6259067	Temperature control system and method for heating and maintaining medical items at desired temperatures	July, 2001	Faries, Jr. et al.
6261261	Infrared heating device for prewarming IV solutions	July, 2001	Gordon
6264049	Nursing bottle with integral temperature sensor	July, 2001	Shteynberg
6294111	Electrochromic inks	September, 2001	Shacklett, III et al.
6294762	Warming system and method for heating various items utilized in surgical procedures	September, 2001	Faries, Jr. et al.
6316750	Apparatus for warming medical pads	November, 2001	Levin
6371121	Remote controlled thermal treatment system and method for controlling the system remotely to thermally treat sterile surgical liquid	April, 2002	Faries, Jr. et al.
6376805	Warming system and method for heating various items utilized in surgical procedures	April, 2002	Faries, Jr. et al.
6384380	Temperature controlled cabinet system and method for heating items to desired temperatures	May, 2002	Faries, Jr. et al.
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Pelham, Joseph M.

Edell, Shapiro & Finnan, LLC

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/805,487, entitled “Medical Item Thermal Treatment Systems and Method of Monitoring Medical Items for Compliance with Prescribed Requirements” and filed Mar. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,941 which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.: 09/982,832, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Temperature of Intravenously Delivered Fluids and Other Medical Items” and filed Oct. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,782 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/539,183, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Temperature of Intravenously Delivered Fluids and Other Medical Items” and filed Mar. 30, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,953, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/126,874, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Temperature of Intravenously Delivered Fluids” and filed Mar. 30, 1999; 10/076,112, entitled “Medical Solution Warming System and Method of Heating and Maintaining Medical Solutions at Desired Temperatures” and filed Feb. 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,768,085 which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/301,829, entitled “Medical Solution Warming System and Method of Heating and Maintaining Medical Solutions at Desired Temperatures” and filed Jul. 2, 2001; and 10/695,487, entitled “Warming System and Method for Heating Various Items Utilized in Surgical Procedures” and filed Oct. 29, 2003, now U.S Pat. No. 7,326,882 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/127,675, entitled “Warming System and Method for Heating Various Items Utilized in Surgical Procedures” and filed Apr. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,974, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/810,418, entitled “Warming System and Method for Heating Various Items Utilized in Surgical Procedures” and filed Mar. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,805, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/413,532, entitled “Warming System and Method for Heating Various Items Utilized in Surgical Procedures” and filed Oct. 6, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,762, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US98/06951, entitled “Warming System and Method for Heating Various Items Utilized in Surgical Procedures” and filed Apr. 7, 1998, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/042,737, entitled “Warmer Cabinet for Use in Surgical Procedures” and filed April 7, 1997.

In addition, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/805,487 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.: 60/456,394, entitled “Medical Solution Warming System and Method of Heating and Maintaining Medical Solutions at Desired Temperatures with Indications of Medical Solution Heating Time” and filed Mar. 21, 2003; 60/456,398, entitled “Temperature Control System and Method for Heating Medical Items and Providing Indications of Heating Time” and filed Mar. 21, 2003; 60/467,582, entitled “Medical Item Thermal Treatment System and Method of Monitoring and Reporting Time and Temperature of Thermally Treated Items” and filed May 5, 2003; 60/472,554, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Placing Time Stamp Information on Medical Items” and filed May 23, 2003; and 60/486,216, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Monitoring and Controlling Use of a Medical Item Thermal Treatment System” and filed Jul. 11, 2003. The disclosures of the above-mentioned patents and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

What is claimed is:

1. A temperature control system for thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: a system housing; a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item; at least one thermal treatment assembly each disposed within said compartment to thermally treat a corresponding medical item; at least one temperature sensor each associated with a corresponding thermal treatment assembly to contact and measure a temperature of said medical item treated by that assembly; a timer to measure residence time of each medical item treated by said at least one assembly; a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and to control a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said associated temperature sensor; and a report unit to collect information pertaining to at least one of medical item conditions, system conditions, time, corresponding temperature information for at least one medical item, patient information, doctor information and facility information, and to generate a report.

2. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein at least one thermal treatment assembly includes: a heating plate to distribute heat to a corresponding medical item placed thereon, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting section and at least one secondary conducting section; and a heater affixed and applying heat to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting section to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting section is coupled to said at least one primary conducting section receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction.

3. The temperature control system of claim 2 further including: at least one guide element disposed within said housing to position said medical item on said heating plate in a proper orientation for heating, wherein dimensions of said at least one guide element are adjusted to accommodate various sized medical items.

4. The temperature control system of claim 1 further including: at least one switching device each associated with a corresponding assembly to detect the presence of a medical item on that assembly and to enable said corresponding assembly to thermally treat said medical item in response to said detection.

5. The temperature control system of claim 4, wherein said timer measures said residence time for a medical item in response to detection of that medical item by a corresponding switching device.

6. The temperature control system of claim 4, wherein said at least one temperature sensor is disposed on a corresponding switching device to measure a temperature of a medical item disposed on said associated assembly.

7. The temperature control system of claim 4, wherein said temperature control system includes a plurality of said assemblies each thermally treating a corresponding medical item and a display to simultaneously display for each assembly at least one of residence time for a corresponding medical item, temperature information, an indication of the absence of a medical item and an indication of a temperature outside a predetermined range.

8. The temperature control system of claim 7, wherein said compartment includes a plurality of trays with each tray including a plurality of said assemblies to thermally treat said at least one medical item.

9. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein at least one assembly includes an indicator to indicate when a corresponding medical item attains one of said desired temperature for that medical item and a temperature within a predetermined range of said desired temperature for that medical item.

10. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said report unit collects information in response to at least one user-defined event.

11. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein said report includes said time and temperature information in the form of a graph.

12. The temperature control system of claim 1 further including a display to display said generated report.

13. The temperature control system of claim 1 further including: a printer to print said generated report.

14. The temperature control system of claim 13, wherein said printer prints said report on labels for attachment to at least one of a medical file and a medical item associated with said report.

15. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein said report unit includes: a report controller to communicate said report electronically to an external device.

16. The temperature control system of claim 15, wherein said external device is remote from said temperature control system and enables remote monitoring of said temperature control system.

17. The temperature control system of claim 1 further including: an interface unit to identify said at least one medical item disposed within said compartment to associate collected information with a corresponding medical item.

18. The temperature control system of claim 17, wherein said at least one medical item includes an identification device and said interface unit receives information from said identification device to identify said at least one medical item.

19. The temperature control system of claim 18, wherein said interface unit transmits information pertaining to a medical item to said identification device associated with that medical item for storage to enable said medical item information to be available with said medical item.

20. A temperature control system for thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: a system housing; a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item; at least one thermal treatment assembly each disposed within said compartment to thermally treat a corresponding medical item; at least one temperature sensor each associated with a corresponding thermal treatment assembly to contact and measure a temperature of said medical item treated by that assembly; a timer to measure residence time of each medical item treated by said at least one assembly; a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and to control a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said associated temperature sensor; and a usage control unit to control usage of said temperature control system in accordance with usage parameters associated with a user.

21. The temperature control system of claim 20, wherein said usage parameters are stored on a card provided by said user to said temperature control system.

22. The temperature control system of claim 20, wherein said usage parameters include at least one of time, quantity of thermal cycles and a quantity of medical items to thermally treat.

23. A temperature control system for thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: a system housing; a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item; a plurality of thermal treatment assemblies each disposed within said compartment to thermally treat a corresponding medical item; a plurality of temperature sensors each associated with a corresponding thermal treatment assembly to contact and measure a temperature of said medical item treated by that assembly; a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and to control a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said associated temperature sensor; a display to simultaneously display information for each assembly; and a report unit to collect information pertaining to at least one of medical item conditions, system conditions, time, corresponding temperature information for at least one medical item, patient information, doctor information and facility information, and to generate a report.

24. The temperature control system of claim 23 further including: a timer to measure residence time of each medical item thermally treated by said assemblies.

25. The temperature control system of claim 24 further including: a plurality of switching devices each associated with a corresponding assembly to detect the presence of a medical item on that assembly and to enable said corresponding assembly to thermally treat said medical item in response to said detection, wherein said display displays for each assembly at least one of residence time for a corresponding medical item, temperature information for a medical item, an indication of the absence of a medical item and an indication of a temperature outside a predetermined range.

26. The temperature control system of claim 23, wherein at least one assembly includes: a heating plate to distribute heat to a corresponding medical item placed thereon, wherein said heating plate includes at least one primary conducting section and at least one secondary conducting section; and a heater affixed and applying heat to said heating plate, wherein said heater is attached to and covers selected portions of said at least one primary conducting section to directly apply heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting section is coupled to said at least one primary conducting section receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction.

27. The temperature control system of claim 23, wherein at least one assembly includes an indicator to indicate when a corresponding medical item attains one of said desired temperature for that medical item and a temperature within a predetermined range of said desired temperature for that medical item.

28. The temperature control system of claim 23, wherein said report unit collects information in response to at least one user-defined event.

29. The temperature control system of claim 23, wherein said report includes said time and temperature information in the form of a graph.

30. The temperature control system of claim 23 further including: a printer to print said generated report.

31. The temperature control system of claim 30, wherein said printer prints said report on labels for attachment to at least one of a medical file and a medical item associated with said report.

32. The temperature control system of claim 23, wherein said report unit includes: a report controller to communicate said report electronically to an external device.

33. The temperature control system of claim 32, wherein said external device is remote from said temperature control system and enables remote monitoring of said temperature control system.

34. The temperature control system of claim 23 further including: an interface unit to identify said at least one medical item disposed within said compartment to associate collected information with a corresponding medical item.

35. A temperature control system for thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: a system housing; a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item; a plurality of thermal treatment assemblies each disposed within said compartment to thermally treat a corresponding medical item; a plurality of temperature sensors each associated with a corresponding thermal treatment assembly to contact and measure a temperature of said medical item treated by that assembly; a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and to control a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said associated temperature sensor; a display to simultaneously display information for each assembly; and a usage control unit to control usage of said temperature control system in accordance with usage parameters associated with a user.

36. The temperature control system of claim 35, wherein said usage parameters are stored on a card provided by said user to said temperature control system.

37. The temperature control system of claim 35, wherein said usage parameters include at least one of time, quantity of thermal cycles and a quantity of medical items to thermally treat.

38. In a temperature control system, a method of thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: (a) receiving at least one medical item by at least one thermal treatment assembly within a compartment disposed within a system housing; (b) thermally treating said at least one medical item via said at least one thermal treatment assembly; (c) measuring a temperature and residence time of each medical item treated by said at least one thermal treatment assembly; and (d) facilitating entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and controlling a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat a corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said measured temperature; and (e) collecting information pertaining to at least one of medical item conditions, system conditions, time, corresponding temperature information for at least one medical item, patient information, doctor information and facility information, and generating a report.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein at least one assembly includes a heating plate with at least one primary conducting section and at least one secondary conducting section and a heater attached to and covering selected portions of said at least one primary conducting section, and step (b) further includes: (b.1) directly applying heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting section is coupled to said at least one primary conducting section receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein step (a) further includes: (a.1) positioning said medical item on said heating plate in a proper orientation for heating via at least one guide element, wherein dimensions of said at least one guide element are adjusted to accommodate various sized medical items.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein step (a) further includes: (a.1) detecting the presence of a medical item on a thermal treatment assembly via a corresponding switching device and enabling said corresponding assembly to thermally treat said medical item in response to said detection.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1) measuring said residence time for a medical item in response to detection of that medical item by a corresponding switching device.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1) measuring said temperature of each medical item via a temperature sensor disposed on a corresponding switching device and contacting that medical item.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein said temperature control system includes a plurality of said assemblies each thermally treating a corresponding medical item and said method further includes: (f) simultaneously displaying for each assembly at least one of residence time for a corresponding medical item, temperature information, an indication of the absence of a medical item and an indication of a temperature outside a predetermined range.

45. The method of claim 38 further including: (f)indicating when a corresponding medical item attains one of said desired temperature for that medical item and a temperature within a predetermined range of said desired temperature for that medical item.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) collecting information in response to at least one user-defined event.

47. The method of claim 38, wherein said report includes said time and temperature information in the form of a graph.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) displaying said generated report via a display of said temperature control system.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) printing said generated report via a printer of said temperature control system.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein step (e.1) further includes: (e.1.1) printing said report on labels for attachment to at least one of a medical file and a medical item associated with said report.

51. The method of claim 38, wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) communicating said report electronically to an external device.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said external device is remote from said temperature control system and enables remote monitoring of said temperature control system.

53. The method of claim 38, wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) identifying said at least one medical item disposed within said compartment to associate collected information with a corresponding medical item.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein said at least one medical item includes an identification device and step (e.1) further includes: (e.1.1) receiving information from said identification device to identify said at least one medical item.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein step (e.1) further includes: (e.1.2) transmitting information pertaining to a medical item to said identification device associated with that medical item for storage to enable said medical item information to be available with said medical item.

56. In a temperature control system, a method of thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: (a) receiving at least one medical item by at least one thermal treatment assembly within a compartment disposed within a system housing; (b) thermally treating said at least one medical item via said at least one thermal treatment assembly; (c) measuring a temperature and residence time of each medical item treated by said at least one thermal treatment assembly; (d) facilitating entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and controlling a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat a corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said measured temperature; and (e) controlling usage of said temperature control system in accordance with usage parameters associated with a user.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said usage parameters are stored on a card provided by said user to said temperature control system.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein said usage parameters include at least one of time, quantity of thermal cycles and a quantity of medical items to thermally treat.

59. In a temperature control system, a method of thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: (a) receiving at least one medical item within a compartment including a plurality of thermal treatment assemblies and disposed within a system housing; (b) thermally treating said at least one medical item via corresponding thermal treatment assemblies; (c) measuring a temperature of each medical item treated by an assembly; (d) facilitating entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and controlling a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said measured temperature; (e) simultaneously displaying information for each assembly; and (f) collecting information pertaining to at least one of medical item conditions, system conditions, time, corresponding temperature information for at least one medical item, patient information, doctor information and facility information, and generating a report.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1) measuring residence time of each medical item thermally treated by an assembly.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein step (a) further includes: (a.1) detecting the presence of a medical item on an assembly via a corresponding switching device and enabling said corresponding assembly to thermally treat said medical item in response to said detection; wherein step (e) further includes: (e.1) displaying for each assembly at least one of residence time for a corresponding medical item, temperature information for a medical item, an indication of the absence of a medical item and an indication of a temperature outside a predetermined range.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein step (c) further includes: (c.2) measuring said temperature of each medical item via a temperature sensor disposed on a corresponding switching device and contacting that medical item.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein at least one assembly includes a heating plate with at least one primary conducting section and at least one secondary conducting section, and a heater attached to and covering selected portions of said at least one primary conducting section, and step (b) further includes: (b.1) directly applying heat to said selected portions, wherein each said secondary conducting section is coupled to said at least one primary conducting section receiving said heater and receives said applied heat through conduction.

64. The method of claim 59 further including: (g) indicating when a corresponding medical item attains one of said desired temperature for that medical item and a temperature within a predetermined range of said desired temperature for that medical item via an indicator.

65. The method of claim 59, wherein step (f) further includes: (f.1) collecting information in response to at least one user-defined event.

66. The method of claim 59, wherein said report includes said time and temperature information in the form of a graph.

67. The method of claim 59, wherein step (f) further includes: (f.1) printing said generated report via a printer of said temperature control system.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein step (f.1) further includes: (f.1.1) printing said report on labels for attachment to at least one of a medical file and a medical item associated with said report.

69. The method of claim 59, wherein step (f) further includes: (f.1) communicating said report electronically to an external device.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein said external device is remote from said temperature control system and enables remote monitoring of said temperature control system.

71. The method of claim 59, wherein step (f) further includes: (f.1) identifying said at least one medical item disposed within said compartment to associate collected information with a corresponding medical item.

72. In a temperature control system, a method of thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: (a) receiving at least one medical item within a compartment including a plurality of thermal treatment assemblies and disposed within a system housing; (b) thermally treating said at least one medical item via corresponding thermal treatment assemblies; (c) measuring a temperature of each medical item treated by an assembly; (d) facilitating entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and controlling a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said measured temperature; (e) simultaneously displaying information for each assembly; and (f) controlling usage of said temperature control system in accordance with usage parameters associated with a user.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein said usage parameters are stored on a card provided by said user to said temperature control system.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein said usage parameters include at least one of time, quantity of thermal cycles and a quantity of medical items to thermally treat.

75. The temperature control system of claim 2, wherein said heating plate includes a curved configuration.

76. The temperature control system of claim 26, wherein said heating plate includes a curved configuration.

77. The method of claim 39, wherein said heating plate includes a curved configuration.

78. The method of claim 63, wherein said heating plate includes a curved configuration.

79. A temperature control system for thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: a system housing, wherein said system housing includes a plurality of rollers to transport said temperature control system; a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item; a plurality of thermal treatment assemblies each disposed within said compartment to thermally treat a corresponding medical item; a plurality of temperature sensors each associated with a corresponding thermal treatment assembly to contact and measure a temperature of said medical item treated by that assembly; a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and to control a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said associated temperature sensor; and a display to simultaneously display information for each assembly.

80. A temperature control system for thermally treating medical items to desired temperatures comprising: a system housing; a compartment disposed within said housing to receive at least one medical item; a plurality of thermal treatment assemblies each disposed within said compartment to thermally treat a corresponding medical item; a plurality of switching devices each associated with a corresponding assembly to detect the presence of a medical item on that assembly and to enable said corresponding assembly to thermally treat said medical item in response to said detection; a plurality of temperature sensors each associated with a corresponding thermal treatment assembly to contact and measure a temperature of said medical item treated by that assembly, wherein said plurality of temperature sensors are respectively disposed on a corresponding switching device to measure a temperature of a medical item disposed on said associated assembly; a controller to facilitate entry of said desired temperature for each medical item and to control a thermal output of each assembly to thermally treat said corresponding medical item to said entered desired temperature based on said temperature measured by said associated temperature sensor; a timer to measure residence time of each medical item thermally treated by said assemblies; and a display to simultaneously display information for each assembly, wherein said display displays for each assembly at least one of residence time for a corresponding medical item, temperature information for a medical item, an indication of the absence of a medical item and an indication of a temperature outside a predetermined range.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention pertains to medical item thermal treatment and/or monitoring systems, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.: 5,408,576 (Bishop); U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,067 (Faries, Jr. et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,762 (Faries, Jr. et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,121 (Faries, Jr. et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,384,380 (Faries, Jr., et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,805 (Faries, Jr. et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,953 (Faries, Jr. et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,631 (Faries, Jr. et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,974 (Faries, Jr. et al.); U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.: 2002/0147426 (Faries, Jr. et al.) and 2003/0114795 (Faries, Jr. et al.); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/380,507, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Pressure Infusion and Temperature Control of Infused Liquids” and filed Apr. 24, 2000. The disclosures of the foregoing patents, patent publications and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In particular, the present invention is directed toward monitoring intravenous solution or other medical items for compliance with prescribed requirements (e.g., manufacturer, medical standards or regulations, etc.) from the time the solution is prepared through disposal of the solution after use in a medical procedure. In other words, the medical solution or other medical items are monitored from manufacture at a manufacturing plant, through transport and/or storage to an end user or medical facility, through subsequent thermal treatment by that user and during administration to a patient. In this manner, a complete record of temperature and/or other conditions for the medical item is ascertained to determine and/or indicate to medical personnel compliance with the prescribed requirements.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Various types of medical items require heating to a selected temperature prior to utilization in a medical procedure. Generally, the medical items may be heated for limited time intervals to preserve their effectiveness. These items typically include intravenous solutions, irrigation fluids, surgical instruments, bottles and blankets. Intravenous (IV) fluids, for example, are typically stored in a cool environment and, consequently, require heating to precise temperatures to prevent thermal shock and injury from occurring during infusion of the fluid into a patient. Similarly, irrigation fluids can be warmed or cooled to various temperatures depending upon their intended use. These types of fluids are typically provided to a patient utilizing a flexible bag or container filled with the fluid and delivered via a fluid line that conveys the fluid from the bag to the patient.

Some medical items can only be heated for a limited period of time, or in accordance with controlled warming cycles, in order to avoid adversely affecting their effectiveness. For example, some fluids, such as whole blood or fluids containing medication, should be warmed evenly to a specific temperature and can be rendered unusable or unsafe if all or a portion of the fluid is overheated.

In order to provide the necessary heated items for use in medical procedures, the related art provides devices for regulating and/or monitoring temperature of medical items. For example, ovens may be disposed within operating rooms to heat items to desired temperatures. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,568 (Van Overloop) discloses a wet dressings heater having a base with side walls defining a cavity, and an insert connected to the base and defining at least one recess in the cavity for receiving wet dressings. A heater has an electrical heating element in close proximity to the insert recess for heating the wet dressings, while the temperature of the heating element is controlled in a desired temperature range for those wet dressings.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,402 (Burdick et al.) discloses a warmer for heating wet dressings and other articles disposed within a heating and storage compartment. The articles are arranged within the compartment in stacked relation and disposed on a plate that is supplied with thermal energy from a heater. The plate includes a center aperture whereby a first thermal sensor is disposed in the aperture in contact with a bottommost article. Control circuitry is disposed beneath the plate to control the heater to maintain temperature of the bottommost article at a desired level based on the temperatures sensed by the first thermal sensor and a second thermal sensor responsive to heater temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,360 (Suzuki et al.) discloses a blood bag having a temperature-monitoring device in the form of a tag or label adhered to the bag outer surface. The temperature-monitoring device includes plural reversible temperature indicators each associated with a specific temperature range to indicate a current temperature of the blood, and an irreversible temperature indicator to indicate that the blood has currently or previously reached a predetermined temperature. The reversible indicators individually provide visual indications in response to the current blood temperature being within a corresponding range, while the irreversible indicator maintains a visual indication once the predetermined temperature has been reached.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,576 (Bishop) discloses an intravenous fluid warmer having a cabinet structure to accommodate a plurality of intravenous fluid bags. A temperature sensor and pad of heating filaments are disposed within the cabinet structure, whereby the temperature sensor enables automatic temperature regulation of the pad of heating filaments to heat the intravenous fluid bags. The heating filaments are covered by a rubber layer to prevent melting of the bags during heating. A temperature indicator disposed on the cabinet structure permits a user to ascertain when a desired temperature is attained, whereby an intravenous fluid bag is removed from the intravenous fluid warmer via an opening defined in a side of the cabinet structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,239 (Corrigan, III et al.) discloses a conductive warmer for flexible plastic bags. The warmer includes a heat-conducting member of thermally conductive material having a plurality of fins which are parallel and spaced apart to define a plurality of bag-receiving compartments. The fins are connected to a back portion of the heat-conducting member to which a heating element is attached in a heat-exchanging relationship. The heating element conducts heat through the back portion and fins of the heat-conducting member to the bags.

The devices described above suffer from several disadvantages. In particular, temperature and heating requirements are typically prescribed for medical solutions or other medical items from various sources (e.g., manufacturer, medical standard or regulation, etc.). These requirements typically prescribe a particular temperature range, expiration date or time and certain time intervals for heating the medical solution in order to maintain the solution efficacy. The above-described devices generally do not monitor medical items for or indicate compliance with these prescribed requirements throughout the life of the medical item (e.g., from manufacture through use and disposal). For example, the above-described warming devices may provide a temperature indication during heating, but do not monitor the heating time intervals for the medical items, the medical item temperatures during storage or usage outside of the device or the medical item expiration date. Although the Suzuki et al. device is secured to and monitors temperature of a blood bag, there is no manner for that device to monitor or indicate the heating intervals and/or passage of the expiration date or time for the blood bag. Thus, medical personnel may unknowingly administer to patients solutions and/or medication that are unusable and/or have reduced potency due to non-compliance with prescribed requirements (e.g., an exceeded expiration date, prolonged exposure to heat, attainment of temperatures outside the prescribed range, etc.), thereby risking serious injury to patients.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to monitor medical item conditions and indicate compliance with prescribed requirements from the time the item is prepared through item disposal after use (e.g., throughout the life of the medical item) to prevent use of compromised medical items with patients.

It is another object of the present invention to thermally treat medical items and monitor medical item conditions (e.g., heating time, temperature, etc.) for, and/or indicate compliance with, prescribed requirements.

Yet another object of the present invention is to control usage of thermal treatment systems.

Still another object of the present invention is to monitor medical item conditions during thermal treatment and generate hardcopy or electronic reports indicating those conditions.

A further object of the present invention is to mark or otherwise transcribe information associated with a medical item on that medical item to notify medical personnel of the medical item status with respect to prescribed requirements.

The aforesaid objects may be achieved individually and/or in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.

According to the present invention, various devices enable medical personnel or users to adhere to medical regulatory and medical item manufacturer requirements relating to medical item heating time, temperature and/or other conditions in order to ensure patient safety. For example, intravenous (IV) fluid bags are typically heated to precise temperatures to prevent thermal shock and injury from occurring during infusion of the IV fluid into a patient. Generally, the fluid bags may be heated for limited time intervals to preserve their effectiveness. These time limits may be prescribed by medical standards or regulations, or by the manufacturer of the fluid. A medical solution container or other medical item of the present invention includes a monitoring or data recording device to monitor and/or record medical solution conditions. The device may further include indicators to indicate compliance of the medical solution with prescribed requirements (e.g., manufacturer, medical standard or regulation, etc.), typically pertaining to medical solution temperature and heating time intervals sufficient to maintain efficacy of the medical solution. The monitoring device may be embedded within or disposed on a container wall or, alternatively, be disposed within the solution, and may utilize a wireless communication link to transfer recorded information.

The medical solution container may alternatively include an electronic memory device attached to or contained within the medical solution container. The memory device is capable of recording information received from an external device, such as a thermal treatment system that has been configured to store warming cycle time, temperature and/or other information in the respective container embedded devices. The container may further include electronically activated visible indicators that are triggered based upon compliance with prescribed requirements.

The medical solution container may alternatively include an external barcode or transponder, where the solution container is identified with a unique bar code and/or transponder signal or code that identifies the container to a thermal treatment system measuring medical solution conditions. The thermal treatment system may transmit event data and/or other information pertaining to the container to a central database.

In another embodiment, the medical solution container may include electrochromic ink cells and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors ex