Heating pad systems, such as for patient warming applications
AssigneeAmerican HealthCare Products, Inc.
InventorsKent Douglas Ellis, Charles C. Wyatt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heating pad system useable in one embodiment for warming a person on a support structure. In this embodiment, the heating pad system comprises an upper foam pad, a lower foam pad, and a thermal-electric heating element sandwiched between the upper and lower foam pads. A form-fitting waterproof cover encloses at least a portion of the upper and lower foam pads and the thermal-electric heating element. In one aspect of this embodiment, the heating pad system includes a power unit for providing electrical power to the thermal-electric heating element, the power unit including a control panel having at least one temperature selector, the temperature selector for selecting at least one heating pad temperature.
Claims25
A heating pad system comprising:
- a lower foam pad;
- an upper foam pad having an upper surface;
- a thermal-electric heating element sandwiched between the upper and lower foam pads;
- a power unit for providing electrical power to the thermal-electric heating element, the power unit including a control panel having at least one temperature selector, the temperature selector for selecting at least one heating pad temperature;
- a first temperature sensor for measuring heating pad temperatures, wherein at least a portion of the first temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the upper foam pad, and wherein the power unit includes a temperature control circuit coupled to the first temperature sensor to control electrical power provided to the thermal-electric heating element based on a selected heating pad temperature and a measured heating pad temperature;
- and
- a second temperature sensor for measuring heating pad temperatures, wherein at least a portion of the second temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the upper foam pad, and wherein the power unit includes a temperature display for displaying measured heating pad temperatures received from the second temperature sensor.
A heating pad system useable for warming a person on a mobile support structure, the heating pad system comprising:
- a lower foam pad;
- an upper foam pad;
- a thermal-electric heating element sandwiched between the upper and lower foam pads, the thermal-electric heating element and the upper and lower foam pads comprising a heating pad positionable on the mobile support structure;
- and
- a power unit attachable to the mobile support structure, the power unit having a power source for providing electrical power to the thermal-electric heating element, the power unit including:
- a first control panel having a first set of temperature selectors corresponding to a first set of selected heating pad temperatures;
- and
- a second control panel, having a second set of temperature selectors corresponding to a second set of selected heating pad temperatures.
A heating pad system useable for warming a person on a mobile support structure, the heating pad system comprising:
- a lower foam pad;
- an upper foam pad having an upper surface;
- a thermal-electric heating element sandwiched between the upper and lower foam pads, the thermal-electric heating element and the upper and lower foam pads comprising a heating pad positionable on the mobile support structure;
- a power unit attachable to the mobile support structure, the power unit having a power source for providing electrical power to the thermal-electric heating element, the power unit including a control panel having at least one temperature selector, the temperature selector for selecting at least one heating pad temperature;
- a first temperature sensor for measuring heating pad temperatures, wherein at least a portion of the first temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the upper foam pad, the first temperature sensor being operably connected to the power unit, and wherein the power unit includes a temperature control circuit coupled to the first temperature sensor to control electrical power provided to the thermal-electric heating element based on a selected heating pad temperature and a measured heating pad temperature;
- and
- a second temperature sensor for measuring heating pad temperatures, wherein at least a portion of the second temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the upper foam pad, the second temperature sensor being operably connected to the power unit, and wherein the power unit includes a temperature display for displaying measured heating pad temperatures received from the second temperature sensor.
A method for warming a person on a support structure such as a gurney or an operating room table, the method comprising:
- providing a heating pad positionable on the support structure, the heating pad comprising:
- a thermal-electric heating element;
- a foam pad disposed adjacent to the thermal-electric heating element, the foam pad having an upper surface facing away from the thermal-electric heating element;
- a first temperature sensor for measuring heating pad temperatures, wherein at least a portion of the first temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the foam pad;
- a second temperature sensor for measuring heating pad temperatures, wherein at least a portion of the second temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to the upper surface of the foam pad;
- and
- a form-fitting waterproof cover enclosing at least a portion of the foam pad and the thermal-electric heating element;
- positioning the heating pad on the support structure;
- positioning the person on the heating pad;
- controlling electrical power to the thermal-electric heating element based on a selected heating pad temperature and a first operating temperature measured by the first temperature sensor;
- and
- displaying a second operating temperature measured by the second temperature sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.