HEATING DEVICE FOR AN INFUSION LIQUID IN A DISPENSING PACKAGING

Abstract: Heating device for an infusion liquid in a dispensing packaging (12, 12'), comprising a first container (15, 15')of a thermally insulating material for the packaging (12, 12') and a low-voltage heating element, which low-voltage heating element (6) is arranged in the first container (12, 12'), wherein the first container (15, 15') is a sleeve of textile which is at least partially closable on at least one side, further comprising a second container (18) for accommodating therein at least a first container (15, 15') with a dispensing packaging (12, 12'), which second container (18) is provided with a temperature regulator (7, 7') and a first temperature sensor (8, 9, 26, 26') for placing in contact with the dispensing packaging (12, 12'), wherein the first temperature sensor (8, 9, 26. 26')is connected to the temperature regulator (7, 7'), and with connecting means (21, 21', 25, 25') for the low-voltage heating element and the temperature regulator (7, 7').

Description: HEATING DEVICE FOR AN INFUSION LIQUID IN A DISPENSING PACKAGING The invention relates to a heating device for an infusion liquid in a dispensing packaging. It is desirable that an infusion liquid to be administered to a patient has a temperature which is no lower than the body temperature of this patient. In order to bring an infusion liquid to at least body temperature it is known to heat an infusion liquid in its dispensing packaging, a plastic bag, on an electric plate or in a microwave. Owing to the inherent need for a mains power supply connection, this known method of heating is in principle limited to intramural use. In the case of extramural use, for instance in first aid care by ambulance staff, a mains power supply connection is usually lacking, while an infusion is often then administered at temperatures far below room temperature, so that the need for a heated infusion is all the more pressing. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a heating device for an infusion liquid which can function independently of a mains power supply connection. It is a further object to provide a heating device using which the temperature of an infusion liquid, even under conditions of extremely low outside temperatures, remains sufficiently high for a sufficiently long period, i.e. at least for the period required to administer an infusion. These objectives are achieved with a heating device of the type specified in the preamble which comprises according to the invention a first container of a thermally insulating material for the packaging and a low-voltage heating element. In a preferred embodiment the low-voltage heating element is arranged in the second container. The low-voltage heating element comprises for instance a resistance wire. The first container is for instance a sleeve of textile which is at least partially closable on at least one side and which in an advantageous embodiment is closable with hook and loop fastening tape. An advantageous embodiment of a heating device according to the invention further comprises a second container for accommodating therein at least a first container with a dispensing packaging, which second container is provided with a temperature regulator and a first temperature sensor for placing in contact with the dispensing packaging, wherein the first temperature sensor is connected to the temperature regulator, and with connecting means for the low-voltage heating element and the temperature regulator. This second container is for instance embodied as a thermally insulated carrying case in which one or more infusions can be transported in thermally insulated first containers. If a plurality of infusions can be transported in such a carrying case, the case is provided, if desired but not necessarily, with a plurality of temperature regulators and associated temperature sensors connected in parallel. The temperature regulator has for instance a range of about 30 °C to about 90 °C, and preferably has a range of about 30 °C to about 70 °C. In a practical embodiment the temperature regulator has an accuracy of about 2 °C. In order to be able to check that the temperature set with the temperature regulator is actually realized, in one embodiment the heating device preferably comprises a respective second temperature sensor for placing in contact with the respective dispensing packaging and a respective display device for displaying the temperature of the respective dispensing packaging. The respective display device is for instance arranged on the respective first container or, if a second container is present, on the second container. The invention will be elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an embodiment and with reference to the drawings . In the drawings Fig. 1 shows the diagram of a circuit of a first embodiment of a heating device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows in perspective view a dispensing packaging with an infusion liquid in a sleeve of a thermally insulating textile, and Fig. 3 shows in perspective view a carrying case provided with a second embodiment of a heating device according to the invention. Corresponding components are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 shows a series connection 1 having successively a 12-volt power supply 2, wiring 3, 4, 5, a resistance wire 6 and a temperature regulator 7 which acts as on/off switch and which operates in combination with a vapour pressure thermometer applied as control thermometer or a liquid thermometer, of which a capillary 8 and a liquid reservoir 9 are shown. Resistance wire 6 is provided with an electrically insulating outer sheath and is stitched in a meander pattern onto a layer of thermally insulating, for instance wadded textile and then covered with a second layer of textile, from which layers of textile is then manufactured a sleeve (not shown) for a dispensing packaging of an infusion liquid for keeping warm. The liquid reservoir 9 is placed in close contact with the infusion liquid between the dispensing packaging and the sleeve. The figure further shows a temperature sensor 10 for placing in contact with the dispensing packaging and a digital read-out device 11. Fig. 2 shows a dispensing packaging 12 with a suspension lip 13 and an outlet 14 for an infusion liquid in a sleeve 15 of a thermally insulating textile into which a resistance wire 6 is stitched in a meander pattern, the outer ends of which are connected outside sleeve 15 to a connecting plug 16. The figure further shows hook and loop fastening tape 17 on the top and bottom side of sleeve 15 with which this latter can be fixed round the dispensing packaging while leaving clear respectively suspension lip 13 and outlet 24. Fig. 3 shows a carrying case 18 covered with foam rubber which provides space for two dispensing packagings 12, 12' in respective sleeves 15, 15'. Carrying case 18 is provided with temperature regulators 7, 7' with adjusting units 23, 23' and read-out units 24, 24', and a connecting plug 20 for power supply to temperature regulators 7, 7'. Temperature regulators 7, 7' can be coupled using cables 25, 25' and coupling sockets 21, 21' to respective connecting plugs 16, 16', which are connected to resistance wires (not shown) in sleeves 15, 15', and to control thermometers 26, 26', which are likewise arranged in the sleeves in good thermal contact with the respective packagings 12, 12'. Shown schematically are also temperature sensors 10, 10' for arranging between packagings 12, 12' and sleeves 15, 15', which sensors co-act with displays 11, 11' which are arranged on packagings 12, 12' and which are also visible via a transparent part 22 of the cover of carrying case 18 when the case is closed. The heating device provides the advantage that via connecting plug 20 it can be connected in simple manner to the electrical circuit of an ambulance. Upon arrival at the place of destination the carrying case is disconnected from the circuit of the ambulance by removing plug 20, and the carrying case can be taken to a patient in order to administer an infusion. At the location of the patient the connecting plug 16 respectively 16' and coupling socket 21 respectively 21' are disconnected, whereupon the relevant infusion is ready to be administered. During administering the dispensing packaging 12, 12' remains accommodated in the sleeve 15, 15', so that the temperature of the infusion liquid is maintained, or at least only falls negligibly. It is noted that the shown embodiments serve only to elucidate the invention and not to limit the scope thereof. It is for instance possible to suffice with only one temperature regulator 7 and one control thermometer 26, since the resistance wires in the respective sleeves are practically identical. A condition for undisturbed operation of such a configuration is that the "second" dispensing packaging is used first and replaced last.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Heating device for an infusion liquid in a dispensing packaging (12, 12'), characterized in that it comprises a first container (15, 15') of a thermally insulating material for the packaging (12, 12') and a low-voltage heating element (6) . 2. Heating device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the low-voltage heating element (6) is arranged in the first container (12, 12'). 3. Heating device as claimed in either of the claims 1-2, characterized in that the low-voltage heating element comprises a resistance wire (6). 4. Heating device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first container is a sleeve (15, 15') of textile which is at least partially closable on at least one side. 5. Heating device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the first container (15, 15') is closable with hook and loop fastening tape (17) . 6. Heating device as claimed in any of the claims 2-5, characterized in that it further comprises a second container (18) for accommodating therein at least a first container (15, 15') with a dispensing packaging (12, 12'), which second container (18) is provided with a temperature regulator (7, 7') and a first temperature sensor (8, 9, 26, 26') for placing in contact with the dispensing packaging (12, 12'), wherein the first temperature sensor (8, 9, 26, 26') is connected to the temperature regulator (7, 7'), and with connecting means (21, 21', 25, 25') for the low-voltage heating element (6) and the temperature regulator (7, 7'). 7. Heating device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the temperature regulator (7) has a range of about 30 °C to about 90 °C. 8. Heating device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the temperature regulator (7) has a range of about 30 °C to about 70 °C. 9. Heating device as claimed in any of the claims 6-8, characterized in that the temperature regulator (7) has an accuracy of about 2 °C. 10. Heating device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it comprises a respective second temperature sensor (10, 10') for placing in contact with the respective dispensing packaging (12, 12') and a respective display device (11, 11') for displaying the temperature of the respective dispensing packaging (12, 12'). 11. Heating device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the respective display device (11, 11') is arranged on the respective first container (15, 15') . 12. Heating device as claimed in claims 6 and 10, characterized in that the respective display device is arranged on the second container.

Inventors: VAN DER DOES JACOB, VAN RIESSEN GERT, VAN DER DOES, JACOB, VAN RIESSEN, GERT
Applicants: DOES JACOB V D, RIESSEN GERT VAN, VAN DER DOES, JACOB, VAN RIESSEN, GERT
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61M5
IPC codes: A61M5