Patent ID: 6175688
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A fluid heater, said heater comprising:a. a heat exchanger defining a flow path through said heater for fluid to be infused to a patient via a fluid infusion situs of said patient;b. at least one controllable heating element for heating the fluid in the flow path by heat conduction thereto through said heat exchanger; andc. a controller for controlling, based upon at least one temperature of the fluid in the flow path, heating of the fluid in the flow path by the heating element, said heating causing the fluid in the flow path to be substantially uniformly heated to a desired infusion temperature prior to exiting said heater, the at least one temperature of the fluid in the flow path being sensed by at least one temperature sensor that provides an indication of said at least one temperature to the controller;wherein the heat exchanger, the at least one heating element and the controller are all housed in a single housing dimensioned to be wearable by the patient adjacent the situs, and the controller also determines whether gas is present in the fluid based, at least partially, upon the at least one temperature.