Ultraviolet nutritional warmer

A feeding fluid warming system broadly includes a liner bag and an ultraviolet light warming device. The liner bag includes an inner bag that receives feeding fluid therein and an outer bag that holds warming fluid therein. The warming device includes a container, an ultraviolet light source, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The container receives the liner bag therein and the ultraviolet light source heats the warming fluid, which in turn heats the feeding fluid to temperatures within a thermal neutral zone so as to effectively and consistently maintains the fluids at these temperatures in addition to sterilizing the warming fluid.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to warming systems for preparing feeding fluid to be fed to infants.

Infants often require nutritional fluid such as milk or special formulas. Such fluids are often expressed from a birth mother or prepared in advance and then refrigerated until needed. Infants often accept warm fluids more easily, so the refrigerated fluids must be warmed prior to feeding. Conventional warming devices used to warm the feeding fluids typically include a fluid container and a heating element. The feeding fluids are typically placed in a feeding bottle or other container, which is then placed in the fluid container. The heating element heats the fluid container and hence the feeding fluids to a temperature of between 122° F. (49° C.) to 140° F. (60° C.). This high heat may negatively break down the nutrients in the feeding fluids such that the infant receives reduced nutritional benefit from the feeding fluids. The high heat may also introduce foreign particles from the plastic of the fluid container into the feeding fluids. The heat also encourages the growth of harmful bacteria and microbes in the fluid container, which are then transferred to the infants via the feeding fluid.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of feeding fluid warming systems. More particularly, the present invention provides a feeding fluid warming system that gradually warms the nutritional fluid to a desired temperature via a warming fluid and consistently maintains the desired temperature for feeding the fluid to an infant or other person. The present invention also sterilizes the warming fluid via ultraviolet light to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria and microbes.

Applicant has discovered that many persons, and infants in particular, experience feeding tolerance issues unless the feeding fluid is warmed to a temperature within a Thermal Neutral Zone (TNZ) between 90° F. (32° C.) and 100° F. (38° C.). Temperatures within this range are ideal for enzymes in the infant's digestive system to break down the nutrients in the fluid.

An embodiment of the present invention is a feeding fluid warming system that more effectively heats nutritional feeding fluids to temperatures within the TNZ and effectively and consistently maintains the fluids at these temperatures. Importantly, the invention also sterilizes parts of the warming system via ultraviolet light. The warming system broadly includes a liner bag, similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,545 issued to Norman et al. (hereby incorporated in its entirety herein), and a warming device for heating the liner bag and its contents.

The liner bag includes an outer bag and an inner bag at least partially enclosed by the outer bag. The outer bag defines an outer chamber for holding a warming fluid and has an ultraviolet light permeable outer wall for allowing ultraviolet light to penetrate the warming fluid. The inner bag defines an inner chamber for receiving a feeding fluid and has an ultraviolet light unpermeable outer wall to minimize the amount of ultraviolet light penetrating the feeding fluid.

The warming device heats the warming fluid and the feeding fluid and includes a container, an ultraviolet light source, a temperature sensor, and a controller.

The container receives the liner bag therein for warming the feeding fluid and houses the ultraviolet light source, temperature sensor, and controller.

The ultraviolet light source heats and sterilizes the warming fluid and may be one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs), lamps, or similar ultraviolet (UV) light emitting elements. The LEDs or other UV elements emit ultraviolet light into the outer bag of the liner bag to heat and sterilize the warming fluid. Some of the heat from the heated warming fluid is then transferred to the feeding fluid to heat the feeding fluid to a temperature within the TNZ.

The temperature sensor senses a temperature of the warming fluid or the feeding fluid.

The controller receives signals representative of the temperature of the warming fluid or the feeding fluid from the temperature sensor and turns on the ultraviolet light source to increase the temperature of the feeding fluid to a temperature within the TNZ. The controller also alters the output of the ultraviolet light source such as by turning it off and on to maintain the temperature of the feeding fluid within the TNZ.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Turning now toFIGS. 1 and 2, a feeding fluid warming system10constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The feeding fluid warming system10broadly comprises a removable liner bag12, similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,545 issued to Norman et al., and a warming device14.

The removable liner bag12receives feeding fluid as described below and is formed of plastic or other suitable insulating material. The liner bag12includes an outer bag16, an inner bag18, and one or more labels20.

The outer bag16holds a warming fluid therein and includes an ultraviolet light permeable outer wall22for allowing ultraviolet light to penetrate the warming fluid. The outer wall22defines an outer chamber24for receiving the warming fluid therein. The outer bag16may be permanently sealed shut or may have a recloseable seal26, fastener, adhesive, nozzle, cap, or spout for replacing the warming fluid. The outer bag16may be impregnated or coated with an antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other organisms in the liner bag12.

The inner bag18receives feeding fluid and is at least partially contained within the outer bag16. The inner bag18includes an ultraviolet light unpermeable outer wall28for limiting the amount of ultraviolet light that is allowed to penetrate the feeding fluid. The outer wall28defines an inner chamber30for receiving feeding fluid therein. The inner bag18includes a recloseable seal32, fastener, adhesive, nozzle, cap, or spout for removing or pouring out the feeding fluid. Alternatively, the inner bag18may have an artificial nipple or similar protrusion for allowing an infant to drink the feeding fluid directly from the inner bag18. The inner bag18may be impregnated or coated with an antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other organisms in the liner bag12. The inner bag18may also be configured to receive a bottle or similar feeding fluid receptacle therein (as shown inFIG. 1) so that the feeding fluid does not come in direct contact with the inner bag18.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the outer bag16and the inner bag18may be reversed so that the outer bag16receives the feeding fluid and the inner bag18holds the warming fluid.

The labels20allow a user to mark identifying information directly on the liner bag12and may have designated sections for marking the information. For example, the labels20may have sections labeled “patient”, “date”, and “nurse” so that the user can later identify the liner bag12. The labels20can be erased or cleaned so that the liner bag12can be reused.

The feeding fluid warming device14broadly comprises a container34, an ultraviolet light source36, a temperature sensor38, a controller40, an indicator42, a vibrating mechanism44, and a power source46.

The container34receives the liner bag12or other feeding fluid receptacle and is formed of rigid or semi-rigid plastic, metal, ceramics, or any other suitable insulating material. The container34includes a sidewall48and a floor50that cooperatively define an interior chamber52for receiving the removable liner bag12therein.

The ultraviolet light source36heats and sterilizes the warming fluid and may be one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs), lamps, or other ultraviolet light emitting elements. The ultraviolet light source36produces wavelengths of between 100 nanometers to 280 nanometers and produces vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and/or C-band ultraviolet (UVC) light. The ultraviolet light source may be embedded in or positioned on a central portion of the floor50of the container34or may be embedded in or positioned in a concentric ring on the floor50to more effectively transmit ultraviolet light to the warming fluid, as shown inFIG. 2.

The temperature sensor38senses a temperature of the warming fluid and may be a thermistor, thermocouple, or any other suitable temperature sensing component. The temperature sensor38is located in the outer bag16of the liner bag12or near the outer bag16to obtain accurate temperature readings of the warming fluid. Alternatively, the temperature sensor38may be located in the inner bag18to obtain direct temperature readings of the feeding fluid or embedded in or positioned on the sidewall48or floor50of the container34.

The controller40may implement aspects of the present invention with one or more computer programs stored in or on computer-readable medium residing on or accessible by the controller40. Each computer program preferably comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions in the controller40. Each computer program can be embodied in any non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, and execute the instructions. In the context of this application, a “computer-readable medium” can be any non-transitory means that can store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semi-conductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific, although not exclusive, examples of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable, programmable, read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disk read-only memory (CDROM). The controller40may include a printed circuit board, chip, and/or other similar electronic components and may be embedded in the sidewall48or floor50of the container34or mounted thereon.

The controller40receives signals representative of the temperature of the warming fluid or the feeding fluid from the temperature sensor38and turns on the ultraviolet light source36to increase the temperature of the warming fluid or the feeding fluid to a temperature within the TNZ. The controller40also alters the output of the ultraviolet light source36such as by turning the ultraviolet light source36off and on to maintain the temperature of the feeding fluid within the TNZ. The controller40may instead reduce the voltage or current supplied to the ultraviolet light source36, reduce the number of lights that are turned on, or reduce the amount of light that is directed toward the warming fluid. For example, the controller40may turn off five of ten LEDs to stabilize the temperature of the feeding fluid. The controller40may also maintain the temperature of the feeding fluid at an intermediate temperature within the TNZ, such as 95° F. (35° C.), or within an intermediate temperature range, such as 93° F. (34° C.) to 97° F. (36° C.), by frequently activating and deactivating the ultraviolet light source36when the feeding fluid reaches these temperatures. This allows the temperature of the feeding fluid to remain relatively constant instead of rising and falling between the upper and lower threshold temperatures of the TNZ. The controller40also activates the vibrating mechanism44, and the indicator42, as described below.

The indicator42indicates whether the feeding fluid is at a temperature below the TNZ or within the TNZ and may be one or more LEDs or similar lights, an LCD display, a seven-segment display, an electronic display screen, a mechanical marker, a chime, a buzzer, or any other suitable indicator. The indicator42is positioned on the outside of the sidewall48of the container34or other accessible location so as to be easily viewed or heard by a caregiver. The indicator42may have only on and off states for indicating that the feeding fluid temperature is or is not within the TNZ or may have a third state such a “standby” or similar state for when the temperature of the feeding fluid is below the TNZ. For example, the indicator42may be a light that glows green when the feeding fluid is within the TNZ and is ready for consumption and glows red, orange, or yellow when the feeding fluid is below the TNZ and must be warmed before being consumed. The indicator42may also indicate an approximate time remaining until the feeding fluid is ready for consumption, a current temperature of the feeding fluid, or any other indication of a status of the feeding fluid. In addition, the indicator42may provide other information such as current date and time, the amount of time that has lapsed since the feeding fluid has been warmed or changed, the date and time that the feeding fluid was last warmed or changed, or any other information that may assist a caregiver in providing fresh and properly warmed feeding fluid.

The vibrating mechanism44mixes the warming fluid so that heat is more evenly distributed to the feeding fluid and so that the warming fluid is more effectively sterilized. The vibrating mechanism44is a small off-balance motor or similar device in the container34and may be embedded in or positioned on the sidewall48or floor50of the container34for effectively mixing the feeding fluid and/or for effectively mixing the warming fluid.

The power source46supplies electrical power to the above electrical components and may be a power cord for receiving power from a wall outlet, computer, car outlet, or other external power source, or may be a rechargeable battery pack or one or more disposable batteries.

Operation of the warming system10will now be described in more detail. First, a user or caregiver fills the inner bag18of the liner bag12with feeding fluid or inserts a feeding bottle filled with feeding fluid into the inner bag18of the liner bag12. The user may also mark identifying information such as the name of the patient, the current date, and the patient's nurse on the labels20of the liner bag12. The user then closes the recloseable seal32and inserts the liner bag12into the container34of the warming device14. The user then plugs in the cord of the power source46or switches on the power source46. The controller40will then automatically activate the ultraviolet light source36, which will begin to heat up and sterilize the warming fluid in the outer bag16of the liner bag12. The warming fluid will heat the feeding fluid in the inner bag18of the liner bag12. Alternatively, the user may press a button or switch to begin the heating process. The controller40will also activate the vibrating mechanism44while the ultraviolet light source36is heating the warming fluid so that the warming fluid evenly distributes heat to the feeding fluid and so that the warming fluid is more effectively sterilized.

When the temperature sensor38senses that the feeding fluid has reached a temperature within the TNZ, the controller40will activate the indicator42to a “ready” state so that the user will know that the feeding fluid is ready for consumption. The user may then open the recloseable seal32and remove the feeding fluid from the inner bag18of the liner bag12when the infant is ready to consume the feeding fluid.

The controller40will begin to cycle the ultraviolet light source36or reduce the power of the ultraviolet light source36when the temperature of the feeding fluid reaches the TNZ to maintain the temperature of the feeding fluid within the TNZ until the feeding fluid is removed.

The feeding fluid may be refrigerated with the liner bag12in the interior chamber52of the warming device14or with the liner bag12removed from the warming device14. The warming device14and/or the liner bag12may be dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning and are washable by hand. The ultraviolet light penetration of the outer bag16and the antimicrobial coatings of the outer bag16and inner bag18reduce the frequency at which the liner bag12must be washed.

The above-described feeding fluid warming system10provides several advantages over conventional warming systems. For example, the ultraviolet light sterilizes the warming fluid, liner bag12or other feeding fluid receptacle, and/or components of the warming device14so as to inhibit the growth of bacteria and microbes around the liner bag12, other feeding fluid receptacle, or components of the warming device14. This reduces the chances of harmful germs from being transferred to the infant. The feeding fluid being at least partially surrounded by the warming fluid evenly heats the feeding fluid by transferring heat to the feeding fluid over a large area. The vibrating mechanism44also helps the warming fluid more evenly heat the feeding fluid by mixing the warming fluid in the outer bag16and by mixing the feeding fluid in the inner bag18. The indicator42ensures that the user knows when the feeding fluid is ready for consumption. The cup-shape of the container34in some embodiments of the present invention allows the warming device14to conveniently fit in a cup holder, a cup carrier, and a personal drink holder.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a feeding fluid warming device100constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The feeding fluid warming device100is substantially similar to the above feeding fluid warming device14except that the ultraviolet light source102is located within the side or sides of the container104. A transparent window106extending vertically long an outer side of the container104near the ultraviolet light source102allows a user to easily determine whether the ultraviolet light source102is currently heating the warming fluid and the feeding fluid. The transparent window106may also allow the user to visually inspect the amount of warming fluid and/or the amount of feeding fluid currently in the warming device100.

Turning now toFIG. 4, a feeding fluid warming device200constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The feeding fluid warming device200is substantially similar to the above feeding fluid warming devices14,100except that the container202includes a lid204or hood.

The lid204covers the top of the container202so as to enclose a liner bag within the container202. The lid204houses the ultraviolet light source206, the controller, and other electronic components. The lid204helps retain heat in the liner bag so as to more effectively warm the feeding fluid.