Patent ID: 7418966
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A system for detecting conditions within containers formed by surgical drapes during surgical procedures and controlling thermal treatment of said containers in response to said detected conditions, said system comprising: a thermal treatment unit to thermally treat a liquid and including a basin; a surgical drape, covering and substantially conforming to said basin, to serve as a drape container for said liquid, wherein a sterile surface of said drape includes a plurality of conductive and insulating drape segments with potentials of said conductive segments being responsive to contact between said conductive segments and said liquid to indicate conditions of said drape container; a controller to operate said thermal treatment unit to control a temperature of said basin; and a detection unit in communication with said drape to determine occurrence of said drape container conditions from said potentials of said conductive segments and to control said controller to operate said thermal treatment unit in accordance with said determined drape container conditions.