Patent ID: 7049558

Claim:
A device comprising: a laminar body comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; at least one heating element disposed on the first surface; the heating element comprising: a first contact and second contact through which electric current enters and leaves the heating element; a first conductive trace having a first end connected to the first contact; a second conductive trace having a second end connected to the second contact; the first conductive trace being patterned in a spaced relation separate from the second conductive trace; a resistive layer comprising a resistive material having a resistance temperature coefficient such that resistance changes with temperature; the resistive layer being disposed to permit current to flow from one conductive trace through the resistive material to the other conductive trace according to the temperature-based resistance of the resistive material; and at least one fluid-receiving location corresponding to the location of the at least one heating element wherein the heating element is in thermal communication with the fluid-receiving location.