Patient temperature control system
AssigneeMedivance Incorporated
InventorGary Carson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A temperature control system provides for the optimal management of patient temperature during a surgical procedure, such as those which require the patient to on bypass. The system employs a plurality of controllers as well as a plurality of temperature control means in order to provide optimal temperature control. In one configuration of the invention, controllers for each of the heat exchange devices may be interconnected using a data link. The connection may provide for a master/slave relationship wherein temperature sensors included in each system are employable as temperature feedback for initiating temperature changes. This device may be configured such that it operates in conjunction with another device or provides stand alone temperature control.
Claims29
A system for providing optimized patient temperature control, comprising:
- a plurality of patient temperature control systems, where each patient temperature control system in the plurality of patient temperature control systems is connectable to at least one heat exchange device and is configured to control heat exchange in a different region of a patient;
- a central controller configured to receive signals for measured temperatures relating to patient condition from a plurality of patient temperature sensors, said controller further configured to generate and transmit control signals to the plurality of patient temperature control systems so as to simultaneously control the plurality of patient temperature control systems based on at least one of:
- the received signal for measured temperature relating to patient condition, programming provided for controlling operation of the plurality of patient temperature control systems, and manually inputted commands from a system operator;
- and
- said plurality of temperature control systems each further configured to receive the control signals and in response control the at least one heat exchange device connectable thereto.
A method of controlling patient body temperature comprising the steps of:
- configuring a plurality of temperature control systems each with at least one heat exchange devices to provide heat exchange to a designated region of the patient;
- monitoring at least one selected temperature relating to patient condition and transmitting a temperature signal relating to the at least one temperature to a central controller in electrical communication with the plurality of temperature control systems;
- identifying a first mode of operation from a plurality of modes of operation for providing patient temperature control wherein the at least one mode includes at least one target temperature;
- and
- simultaneously controlling the plurality of temperature control systems so as to provide the heat exchange according to the identified mode of operation until the at least one selected temperature is substantially equal to the target temperature.
A system for controlling patient temperature comprising:
- a first temperature control system including a first controller, wherein the first temperature control system is connectable to at least one first heat exchange device for providing heat exchange in a first designated region of the patient and at least one first patient temperature sensor which provides temperature signals relating to patient condition;
- a second temperature control system including a second controller, wherein the second temperature control system is connectable to at least one second heat exchange device for providing heat exchange in a second designated region of the patient and at least one second patient temperature sensor which provides temperature signals relating to the patient condition;
- and
- at least one data link establishable between the first and second controller wherein the data link provides for the transfer of control signals between the first and second controller so as to provide for the heat exchange in at least one of the first and second regions in response to signals for measured temperatures received by the first and second controllers from at least one of the first and second sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.