# US 9,114,218 B2 · Open access sleeve for heated fluid units

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- Number: US 9,114,218 B2
- Document ID: US9114218B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/887,604
- Filed: 2013-05-06
- Published: 2013-11-21
- Granted: 2015-08-25
- Earliest claimed: 2006-03-17
- Applicants: C Change Surgical LLC
- Inventors: Patrick Kammer; Kevin Joseph Rackers; Mark Martel; Todd Cassidy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9114218B2

## CPC

- A61M 5/445: {the media being heated in the reservoir, e.g. warming bloodbags}
- G05D 23/1909: {whose output amplitude can only take two discrete values}
- G05D 23/1931: {to control the temperature of one space}
- G05D 23/20: with sensing elements having variation of electric or magnetic properties with change of temperature (G05D23/13 takes precedence)
- G05D 23/22: the sensing element being a thermocouple
- A61B 2050/0018: {Electric heating}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid in a closed container of sterile fluid from an initial temperature T1 to the ambient temperature of a room containing the closed container of sterile fluid, the method comprising:
connecting a device having at least one access sleeve to a power source to provide electric power to at least one heater to heat at least a portion of the walls surrounding an access sleeve; and
placing the closed container of sterile fluid in the access sleeve with at least one side of the access sleeve remaining open to ambient air;
wherein the access sleeve slows the cooling of the sterile fluid in the closed container from the initial temperature T1 towards the ambient temperature of the room containing the closed container.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 1 further including adjusting at least one internal setting within the device to alter the behavior of the at least one heater.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 1 wherein the at least one heater operates without temperature feedback from a temperature sensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 1 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor associated with the access sleeve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 1 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor in contact with a wall of the access sleeve.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 1 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor in contact with the closed container of sterile fluid placed in the access sleeve.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 1 wherein the at least one heater operates in response to a control system that receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor in contact with air inside the access sleeve.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of slowing the cooling of sterile fluid of claim 1 wherein a controller response to a temperature input controls the at least one heater to avoid heating the closed container of sterile fluid above a target temperature.