Patent ID: 6074363
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
An intravenous fluid heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat from a heating medium to an intravenous fluid comprising:a fluid heat exchanger for receiving the intravenous fluid;a detachable housing enclosing said intravenous fluid heat exchanger, said detachable housing connectable with a supply tube for providing heated gaseous fluid to a thermal blanket;an inlet manifold for connecting to a source of intravenous fluid to be heated by the heat exchanger, said inlet manifold having a first inlet nozzle protruding through said housing, and an inlet collecting chamber adjacent said inlet nozzle for collecting said intravenous fluid;an outlet manifold for connecting a conduit to remove said intravenous fluid from said heat exchanger, said outlet manifold having a first outlet nozzle protruding through said housing, and an outlet collecting chamber adjacent said outlet nozzle for collecting said intravenous fluid; anda plurality of passageways connecting said inlet collecting chamber and said outlet collecting chamber, each of said plurality of passageways being of equal length and directed longitudinally along said housing and stacked at least three levels in a serpentine shape, and each of said plurality of passageways being supported, spaced apart by, and passing around at least three supporting structures mounted internally within said housing, wherein said inlet manifold includes a second inlet nozzle spaced from, and directed along a different direction from, said first inlet nozzle; and wherein said outlet manifold includes a second outlet nozzle spaced from, and directed along a different direction from, said first outlet nozzle.