초록

A device for warming fluids being administered intravenously to a patient. The heating assembly comprising a warming pouch is wrapped and secured around a tube through which fluid is intravenously provided to the patient.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A system for warming intravenous fluids, said system comprising: a tube suitable for providing intravenous fluids to a patient, said tube having a distal end adapted for insertion into a vein of a patient; a warming pouch comprising a flexible, air-permeable pouch wrapped around the tu

We claim: 1. A system for warming intravenous fluids, said system comprising: a tube suitable for providing intravenous fluids to a patient, said tube having a distal end adapted for insertion into a vein of a patient; a warming pouch comprising a flexible, air-permeable pouch wrapped around the tube; an exothermic composition disposed within the warming pouch, said exothermic composition capable of reacting with air to produce heat; an air-permeable adhesive sheet surrounding the warming pouch and extending beyond the warming pouch to provide an adhesive surface for securing the warming pouch around the tube. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the warming pouch is disposed on the tube in a longitudinal region of the tube about 1 to 6 inches from the distal end of the tube. 3. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a drip chamber adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a fluid source and with the tube, said drip chamber disposed distally of the fluid source; a roller clamp disposed on the tube and further disposed distally of the drip chamber; wherein the warming pouch is disposed on the tube at a location distal to the drip chamber and roller clamp. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the exothermic composition comprises a mixture of iron powder, cellulose, activated carbon, vermiculite and salt. 5. A device for warming a fluid to be provided intravenously to a patient, said device comprising: an inner container comprising a flexible, air-permeable container; an exothermic composition disposed within the inner container, said exothermic composition capable of reacting with air to produce heat; an adhesive sheet, wherein the inner container is disposed on the adhesive sheet to form a heating assembly comprising the inner container disposed on the adhesive sheet; a tube suitable for providing the fluid intravenously to the patient, wherein the fluid is disposed in the tube, and wherein the heating assembly is wrapped around the tube. 6. The device of claim 5 wherein: the adhesive sheet is larger than the inner container; and the inner container is placed on the adhesive sheet such that a portion of an adhesive on the adhesive sheet remains exposed. 7. The device of claim 5 wherein the heating assembly is disposed on the tube in a longitudinal region of the tube about 1 to 6 inches from the distal end of the tube. 8. The device of claim 5 wherein the exothermic composition comprises a mixture of iron powder, cellulose, activated carbon, vermiculite and salt. 9. A method of warming a fluid provided intravenously to a patient, wherein the fluid is provided through a tube, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device for warming a fluid to be provided intravenously to a patient, said device comprising: an inner container comprising a flexible, air-permeable container; an exothermic composition disposed within the inner container, said exothermic composition capable of reacting with air to produce heat; an adhesive sheet, wherein the inner container is disposed on the adhesive sheet to form a heating assembly comprising the inner container disposed on the adhesive sheet; a tube suitable for providing the fluid intravenously to the patient, wherein the fluid is disposed in the tube, and wherein the heating assembly is wrapped around the tube; exposing the inner container to air; and allowing the heating assembly to warm the fluid passing through the tube. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing a device such that the heating assembly is disposed on the tube about 1 inch to about 2 inches from where the tube is percutaneously inserted into the patient. 11. A method of providing a fluid intravenously to a patient, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device for warming a fluid to be provided intravenously to the patient, said device comprising: an inner container comprising a flexible, air-permeable container; an exothermic composition disposed within the inner container, said exothermic composition capable of reacting with air to produce heat; an air permeable adhesive sheet, wherein the inner container is disposed on the adhesive sheet to form a heating assembly comprising the inner container disposed on the adhesive sheet; a tube suitable for providing the fluid intravenously to the patient, wherein the heating assembly is wrapped around the tube; providing a source of fluid and placing the source in fluid communication with the tube; placing the tube in fluid communication with a vein of the patient through a percutaneous access point; exposing the inner container to air; delivering fluid to the patient through the tube. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing a device such that the heating assembly is disposed on the tube about 1 to 6 inches from percutaneous access point when the tube is placed in fluid communication with the vein. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a device further comprises providing a hollow needle in fluid communication with the tube, and wherein the step of placing the tube in fluid communication with a vein of the patient comprises inserting the needle into a vein of the patient. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing a device such that the heating assembly is disposed on the tube about 1 to 6 inches from the percutaneous access point. 15. A system for warming intravenous fluids, said system comprising: a tube suitable for providing intravenous fluids to a patient, said tube having a distal end adapted for insertion into a vein of a patient; a warming pouch comprising a flexible, air-permeable pouch wrapped around the tube; an exothermic composition disposed within the warming pouch, said exothermic composition capable of reacting with air to produce heat; an adhesive surface disposed on the warming pouch; wherein the warming pouch is folded around the tube and secured thereto by the adhesive. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the warming pouch is disposed on the tube in a longitudinal region of the tube about 1 to 6 inches from the distal end of the tube. 17. The system of claim 15 further comprising: a drip chamber adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a fluid source and with the tube, said drip chamber disposed distally of the fluid source; a roller clamp disposed on the tube and further disposed distally of the drip chamber; wherein the warming pouch is disposed on the tube at a location distal to the drip chamber and roller clamp. 18. The system of claim 15 wherein the exothermic composition comprises a mixture of iron powder, cellulose, activated carbon, vermiculite and salt. 19. A method of warming a fluid provided intravenously to a patient, wherein the fluid is provided through a tube, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device for warming a fluid to be provided intravenously to a patient, said device comprising: a tube suitable for providing the fluid intravenously to the patient, wherein the fluid is disposed in the tube; a warming pouch comprising a flexible, air-permeable container, said warming pouch having an adhesive surface, said warming pouch being wrapped over the tube and secured thereto by the adhesive purpose; an exothermic composition disposed within the warming pouch, said exothermic composition capable of reacting with air to produce heat; exposing the warming pouch to air; and allowing the fluid to pass through the tube. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing the device such that the warming pouch is disposed on the tube about 1 inch to about 2 inches from where the tube is percutaneously inserted into the patient. 21. A method of providing a fluid intravenously to a patient, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device for warming a fluid to be provided intravenously to the patient, said device comprising: a tube suitable for providing the fluid intravenously to the patient, wherein the fluid is disposed in the tube; a warming pouch comprising a flexible, air-permeable container, said warming pouch having an adhesive surface, said warming pouch being wrapped over the tube and secured thereto by the adhesive purpose; an exothermic composition disposed within the warming pouch, said exothermic composition capable of reacting with air to produce heat; providing a source of fluid and placing the source in fluid communication with the tube; placing the tube in fluid communication with a vein of the patient through a percutaneous access point; exposing the warming pouch to air; delivering fluid to the patient through the tube. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing a device such that the heating assembly is disposed on the tube about 1 to 6 inches from percutaneous access point when the tube is placed in fluid communication with the vein. 23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing a hollow needle in fluid communication with the tube, and wherein the step of placing the tube in fluid communication with a vein of the patient comprises inserting the needle into a vein of the patient. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing the device such that the warming pouch is disposed on the tube about 1 to 6 inches from the percutaneous access point. 25. An intravenous infusion system comprising: an IV tube having a distal end adapted for insertion into a vein of a patient; a flexible pouch filled with an exothermic compound, said pouch being wrapped around the IV tube near the distal end of the IV tube; an air-permeable adhesive sheet surrounding the flexible pouch, said adhesive sheet being adhered to the flexible pouch to hold the pouch on the IV tube. 26. An intravenous infusion system comprising: an IV tube having a distal end adapted for insertion into a vein of a patient; a flexible pouch filled with an exothermic compound, said pouch being wrapped around the IV tube near the distal end of the IV tube, said flexible pouch having an adhesive surface securing the flexible pouch in place on the IV tube.