Method and apparatus for warming medical solutions in a thermal treatment system employing a removable basin

A drape device for use with a thermal treatment system comprising:

• a thermal treatment comprising:
• a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin;
• heater to heat items placed within the receptacle;
• and
• a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle;
• and
• a drape device comprising:
• a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to at least a portion of the receptacle upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape is further configured to receive and retain fluids and other items within the receptacle and to provide a harrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle;
• and
• an engaging structure configured to engage the drape and the basin so as to facilitate operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system and at least one item is placed on the drape within the receptacle, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with the basin of the thermal treatment system and the drape so as to secure the drape within the basin during operation of the thermal treatment system, and wherein the basin includes a rim disposed at an upper edge of the basin and a plurality of posts disposed at spaced locations along the rim, and the engaging structure comprises fasteners that are securable to the posts in a friction fit engagement.

A thermal treatment system comprising:

• a receptacle;
• a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle;
• a limit switch that is operable to identify when an item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the item being placed within the receptacle, wherein the limit switch includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle;
• and
• a drape device comprising:
• a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to the receptacle to form a drape container therein upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape container receives and retains fluids and other items within the receptacle, and the drape provides a barrier between items placed in the drape container and the receptacle;
• and
• an engaging structure coincident the drape container and configured to engage the drape and contact and apply forces to the limit switch to actuate the limit switch for activation of the heater to apply heat to the drape container when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system and at least one item is placed on the drape within the receptacle.

A thermal treatment system comprising:

• a receptacle dimensioned to receive a removable basin;
• a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle;
• a limit switch that is operable to identify when an item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the item being placed within the receptacle, wherein the limit switch includes an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle and the basin includes a well disposed along an outer bottom wall surface of the basin that receives and engages with the elongated member so as to facilitate activation of the heater when the basin is provided within the receptacle;
• and
• a drape device comprising:
• a drape comprising a flexible material that conforms to at least a portion of the receptacle upon being placed within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system, wherein the drape includes a drape container to receive and retain fluids and other items within the receptacle, and provides a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle;
• and
• an engaging structure coincident the drape container and configured to engage the drape when the drape device is positioned on the thermal treatment system, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with an interior surface of a bottom portion of the basin of the thermal treatment system and the drape so as to secure the drape within the basin interior during operation of the thermal treatment system, and wherein the engaging structure comprises a well secure structure disposed on a surface of the drape that engages with an interior protruding bottom wall surface portion of the basin that defines the well.

A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when a basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) receiving the engaging structure within the thermal treatment system such that the engaging structure engages the receptacle, wherein the engaging structure comprises an actuation member, and step (a) further comprises:
• (a.1) receiving the actuation member within the receptacle such that the actuation member engages the limit switch, wherein engagement of the actuation member with the limit switch facilitates activation of the heater;
• (b) receiving the drape within the receptacle of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape within the receptacle is configured to receive and retain fluids and other items and to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle;
• and
• (c) receiving at least one item on the drape within the receptacle so as to thermally treat the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater.

A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system employing a removable basin and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle to receive the basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to activate the heater upon identification of an item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) receiving the engaging structure within the thermal treatment system such that the engaging structure engages the basin, wherein step (a) further comprises:
• (a.1) securing the engaging structure to an interior surface of a bottom portion of the basin after the basin is provided within the receptacle;
• (b) receiving the drape within the basin of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape within the basin includes a drape container to receive and retain fluids and other items, and provides a barrier between items placed on the drape and the basin, and wherein the engaging structure is coincident the drape container;
• and
• (c) receiving at least one item on the drape within the basin so as to thermally treat the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater.

A method of thermally treating items utilizing a thermal treatment system and a drape device, the thermal treatment system comprising a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle, the limit switch including an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle and comprises a temperature sensor, the drape device comprising a drape and engaging structure, the drape comprising a flexible material, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) receiving the engaging structure within the thermal treatment system, wherein the engaging structure is configured to engage with the basin of the thermal treatment system, and step (a) further comprises:
• (a.1) securing the engaging structure to the basin after the basin is provided within the receptacle, and wherein the basin includes a rim disposed at an upper edge of the basin and a plurality of posts disposed at spaced locations along the rim, the engaging structure comprises fasteners that correspond with the posts, and step (a.1) further comprises:
• (a.1.1) securing the fasteners of the engaging structure to the posts of the basin;
• (b) receiving the drape within the basin of the thermal treatment system such that the drape engages the engaging structure, wherein the drape installed within the basin is configured to receive and retain fluids and other items and to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the basin;
• (c) receiving at least one item on the drape within the basin so as to thermally treat the at least one item upon operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater;
• and
• (d) providing measured temperature information to the system, via the temperature sensor, wherein the measured temperature information represents the temperature of items disposed on the drape within the basin.