Heating protection pad for human body transportation equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating protection pad intended to be detachably fastened in use in a thermal insulation device for holding the temperature of a human body, in particular of a newborn, comprising a thin-layer heating element having a sheet-like electrically conductive device and at least one layer of electrically insulating material made of electrically insulating material, the thin-layer heating element is intended to be connected to a power source, in which the sheet-like conductive device is made of a conductive material, the electrical resistance of which varies continuously with temperature, and at least one face of the thin-layer heating element is at least partially covered with a covering layer made of a textile material.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of temperature maintenance devices for maintaining the temperature of a human body, in particular for use in a medical environment when transferring a human body from one location to another.

[0002] These devices can also be used in incubators for newborns, which not only need to avoid bacterial contamination, but also need to ensure constant temperature to avoid any stress to the fragile organism. BACKGROUND

[0003] The prior art has proposed various devices for heating equipment containing a human body, whether or not for transport.

[0004] In particular, document EP3041450 describes a transportable incubator for newborns, in which heating is ensured by air flow through a reserved hole in the bottom of the equipment.

[0005] Document EP1374005 also describes an incubator comprising a heating device and a fan to circulate hot air inside the incubator. This document describes a regulating device for the amount of circulating air, to reduce evaporative losses and noise.

[0006] However, these heating devices based on air circulation have the drawback of being noisy, which increases stress for the newborn, causes evaporative losses, requires the provision of sensors that need to be regularly maintained and is energy-intensive. These devices are also bulky, which therefore risks compromising the safety of the newborn in the event of an accident.

[0007] Document WO2010 / 107724 describes an incubator with a built-in heating pad. The heating pad comprises a heating element embedded in a thick layer of foam or gel. This incubator allows warming of the newborn without air circulation, but requires sterilization of the heating pad between two uses, which results in cumbersome handling and requires a large amount of storage space. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a heating protection pad which, when in use, is removably fixed in an equipment to maintain the temperature of a human body, which can be accurately maintained at a set value which can be adjusted according to the use, while avoiding the provision of sensors in said heating protection pad, which can simplify the design and completely eliminate the external input of hot air.

[0009] This heating protection pad can maintain the temperature of a human body by supplying heat as close as possible to the human body, without heat loss. In practice, this heating protection pad will be fixed on the soft padding lining of an insulating equipment, in particular a transport equipment.

[0010] This simplified design also allows said heating protection pad to be made as a disposable item, the manufacturing cost of which is thus reduced. However, in a medical environment, the possibility of single use is generally mandatory.

[0011] This protection function allows to avoid sterilization of the soft padding lining of the transport device between two uses.

[0012] The application thus relates to a heating protection pad intended to be removably fixed in a temperature maintenance device for maintaining the temperature of a human body and in particular of a newborn, the heating protection pad comprising a thin layer heating element with a sheet-like electrically conductive device and at least one layer of electrically insulating material made of an electrically insulating material, the thin layer heating element being intended to be connected to an electrical power source, in which the sheet-like electrically conductive device is made of an electrically conductive material whose electrical resistance varies continuously with temperature, at least one face of the thin layer heating element being at least partially covered with a covering layer made of a textile material.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, one and / or more of the following arrangements can also be used:

[0014] The thin layer heating element is a heating film, the sheet-like electrically conductive device comprising at least one metallic electrically conductive track located on said central main portion of the heating protection pad;

[0015] The heating protection pad is sterilized;

[0016] The heating protection pad comprises at least one fixing claw intended to be fixed in said temperature maintenance device, said at least one fixing claw being connected to and projecting from the central main portion of the heating protection pad, said at least one fixing claw comprising a face equipped with an adhesive layer;

[0017] The heating protection pad is disposable;

[0018] Said at least one fixing claw is connected to said central main portion by a tear line;

[0019] The heating protection pad comprises a connection zone intended to be connected to an electrical power source, said connection zone being connected to and projecting from said central main portion, the electrically conductive track extending over this connection zone and ending in two end portions;

[0020] Said connection zone comprises positioning means intended to position an electrical connector.

[0021] The application also relates to a kit comprising at least one heating protection pad according to the application and a regulation box of an electrical power source, the regulation box being intended to be connected between the heating protection pad and the electrical power source, said regulation box comprising means for determining the electrical resistance of the sheet-like electrically conductive device of the thin layer heating element, deducing therefrom the temperature Tt of the fabric at the instant t, comparing the temperature with a set value Tc and regulating the electrical power source as a function of this comparison.

[0022] The kit can comprise an electrical connector between said heating protection pad and said regulation box, said connector being removable.

[0023] The present application also relates to a human body warming device, in particular a transport device for newborns, comprising a thermostatic chamber which defines an enclosure forming a human body accommodation space, the temperature of which is regulated by means of a heating protection mat in which the human body can be placed, and which completely avoids the circulation of hot air.

[0024] This allows to simplify the environment and the maintenance of the device, since all the external hot air inputs are eliminated. The elimination of the means for generating hot air allows to significantly reduce the weight of the device. This has a significant advantage in terms of managing the risks when transporting, in particular newborns.

[0025] The present application therefore relates to a warming device for maintaining the temperature of a human body, in particular of a newborn, comprising two parts defining an enclosure, one of which forms an accommodation space for accommodating the human body and comprises a heating protection mat according to the present application arranged inside said accommodation space.

[0026] The present application finally relates to a warming device for maintaining the temperature of a human body, in particular of a newborn, in particular a transport device, comprising two parts defining an enclosure, one of which forms an accommodation space for accommodating the human body and comprises a kit according to the present application, said heating protection mat being arranged inside said accommodation space, said regulation box being outside said enclosure.

[0027] This design allows to place all the dangerous and bulky objects outside the enclosure.

[0028] This device advantageously comprises a soft cushion lining or a mattress, on which said heating protection mat is removably fixed.

[0029] The present application finally relates to the use of a heating protection mat according to the present application in a device, in particular in a transport device, for maintaining the temperature of a human body, in particular of a newborn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The application will be better understood and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will become more apparent from the following description, the descriptive reference being made to the enclosed drawings on which:

[0031] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the heating protection mat according to the present application;

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the heating protection mat shown in Figure 1 is a bottom view of the heating protection mat shown in

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the heating protection mat shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the electrical connector between the heating protection mat and the regulation box shown in

[0034] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the electrical connector in the closed position on the connection area of the heating protection pad shown in Figure 1 and 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the electrical connector in the closed position on the connection area of the heating protection pad shown in

[0035] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the electrical connector in the closed position (solid line) and in the open position (dashed line);

[0036] Figure 6 is a general schematic view showing the arrangement of the heating protection pad and the control box in use;

[0037] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a neonatal transport device in which a heating protection pad according to the present application is placed;

[0038] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing Figure 1 and 2 is a perspective view of another electrical connector embodiment between the heating protection pad shown in and the control box, the electrical connector being in the open position;

[0039] Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the electrical connector in the closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The same elements in the different figures will be indicated with the same reference numerals.

[0041] Figure 1 The heating protection pad 1 shown comprises a thin layer of heating elements 10, which is covered with a layer 11 made of textile material. The two layers can be fixed to each other by any means, in particular by an adhesive layer.

[0042] The textile material can be woven or non-woven, made of polyester, polypropylene fibres or any other material used in the medical field, and in particular the material used to make survival blankets.

[0043] Within the framework of the present application, the textile material is preferably non-woven.

[0044] The grammage of the material is preferably between 15 and 500 g / m 2 , more preferably between 200 and 300 g / m 2 .

[0045] The present application is not limited to this embodiment, however, and the heating protection pad 1 can comprise a layer made of textile material on both sides of the heating elements 10.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2As shown, the heating protection pad 1 mainly comprises four parts: a central main part 12 generally rectangular with two long sides 120 and 121 and two short sides 122 and 123, two side claws 13a and 13b and an elongated connection zone 14.

[0047] Each side claw 13a and 13b projects with respect to one long side 120, 121 of the central main part 12 and is preferably connected to the central main part 12 by a tear line 130a, 130b.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the two claws are each centered on the two long sides 120, 121.

[0049] On the face opposite the textile material layer 11, each claw 13a, 13b comprises an adhesive layer 15a, 15b protected by a film 16 which is torn off when the heating protection pad is placed and fixed in the transport device. Preferably, a solvent-based acrylic adhesive is used which allows the adhesive to be removed without residue after tearing off the side claws when the heating protection pad is torn at the tear lines 130a, 130b.

[0050] In the illustrated example, the two claws are substantially rectangular. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated example, the two claws are substantially rectangular.

[0051] The connection zone 14 projects with respect to one short side 123 of the central main part 12 and is located in the continuation of this short side. This connection zone 14 is elongated.

[0052] As shown, the heating element 10 and the cover layer 11 have the same shape. Thus, each part of the heating protection pad 1 described above comprises in thickness a part of the heating element 10 on which is superimposed a corresponding part of the cover layer 11. Figure 1 The heating element 10 is in the form of a thin layer. In the illustrated example, the heating element is a heating film comprising a metal conductive track 100 laid on an insulating film 101. The metal conductive track is generally serpentine on the central main part 12 and extends by two sections 102, 103 into the connection zone 14. The conductive track 100 can also comprise lateral portions in each claw 13a, 13b, such as the lateral portion 106.

[0053] Figure 1 The sections 102, 103 of the connection zone 14 each comprise an end 104, 105 located at the free end 140 of the connection zone 14. These ends 104, 105 are thus the two ends of the conductive track 100.

[0054] At the free end 140 of the conductive track, the connection zone 14 comprises a positioning device 141 for positioning an electrical connection device, to be combined with the connection zone 14.

[0055] At the free end 140 of the conductive track, the connection zone 14 comprises a positioning device 141 for positioning an electrical connection device, to be combined with the connection zone 14.​Figures 3 to 5 The electrical connection means are described in detail. Here, these are constituted by two holes 141a, 141b which pass through the thickness of the heating protection pad 1, i.e. through the heating film 10 and the textile material layer 11. These holes are located between the two sections 102, 103, aligned and parallel to these. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The connector shown does not require these holes.

[0056] The insulating film 101 can be made, for example, of polyester, so as to make the heating protection pad waterproof.

[0057] The thickness of this film is generally of the order of tens of microns.

[0058] The heating element preferably has flexibility. Flexibility here is understood as the ability to adapt to a three-dimensional surface without damage or malfunction.

[0059] The thickness of the heating protection pad is substantially between 0.2 mm and 3 mm and is sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the human body, even when wrinkled, without losing its heating properties.

[0060] The conductive track 100 is made of a metallic material, the electrical resistance of which varies continuously as a function of temperature and without asymptotic behaviour, preferably linearly or substantially linearly, in the range of use of the heating protection pad.

[0061] This material is therefore different from the CTP materials used in the prior art, whose electrical resistance increases sharply with temperature above a specific threshold temperature fixed at the time of manufacture of the CTP material. This variation can be considered as asymptotic, since these materials are designed to no longer conduct above this threshold temperature. These materials therefore have a switching function, unlike the heating element of the present application.

[0062] The metallic material of the conductive track can be, for example, aluminium, copper, Inconel or constantan.

[0063] On the basis of this property, the supply of the heating element can be regulated without the need for technical means such as sensors inside the heating element.

[0064] To this end, the two sections 102, 103 of the conductive track are electrically connected to the control or regulation box 6 shown in Figures 3 to 5 or Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown in Figure 6 The box itself is connected to an electrical power supply.

[0065] The box is designed to measure the temperature of the heating protection pad 1 at all times and to regulate the supply as a function of the comparison between the measured temperature and a set desired temperature.

[0066] The set temperature is determined by the user as a function of the application and the environment, the box comprising means allowing the user to programme it.

[0067] Now refer to Figures 3 to 5 , especially Figure 3 , which shows the different components of the connector 3.

[0068] Thus, the connector 3 comprises a clamp 4 and a cable 5 .

[0069] The clamp 4 comprises two elements 40, 41 connected to each other by a hinge 42. The clamp comprises a shaft 12a and return means 12b for the clamp in the closed position, both being held in place by a nut 12c.

[0070] Each element 40, 41 comprises a flat first portion 400, 410 prolonged by a second portion 401, 411 inclined relative thereto. The first portions are intended to together form the jaws when the clamp is closed, the second portions each forming a handle.

[0071] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is shown that the first portion 400 of the element 40 comprises two non-through openings 402a, 402b, whereas the first portion 410 of the element 41 comprises, on its inner face, two lugs 412a, 412b opposite the openings 402a, 402b. Figure 4 The pins are shown arranged to be insertable into the openings without passing therethrough when the clamp 4 is in the closed position.

[0072] Cable 5 includes two wires 50 and 51. At one end of the cable, these wires are inserted into two components 52 and 53, forming the positive and negative terminals, respectively. These two components are fixed in one of the first parts, here, first part 41. The two components are positioned symmetrically with respect to the positions of the non-through openings 402a and 402b, so that the distance between the two components and these openings corresponds to the distance between the sections 102 and 103 of the conductive trace and the holes 141a and 141b of the connection area 14.

[0073] At the other end of the cable, the cable 5 is connected to a control box (not shown).

[0074] When in use, the connector is in an open position on the connection area 14 ( Figure 5 The connection region 14 is placed on the element 40 and the non-through openings 402a and 402b coincide with the two holes 141a and 141b of the connection region 14 (shown by dotted lines).

[0075] The operator then closes the clamp 4, arriving at Figure 4 or Figure 5The position is shown by a solid line. In this position, the lugs 412a, 412b of the first portion 410 of the element 41 pass through the holes 141a, 141b of the connection zone 14 and are inserted into the non-through openings 402a, 402b.

[0076] In this closed state, each of the two terminals 52, 53 is in electrical contact with one of the segments 102, 103 at the end portions 104, 105 of the conductive tracks, respectively. The heating protection pad 1 is thereby electrically connected to the control box, as Figure 6 shown.

[0077] Figure 8 and 9 An embodiment variant of the connector between the heating protection pad 1 and the cable 5 connected to the box 6 is shown.

[0078] The connector 9 comprises a female part 90 connected to the box 6 (not shown). The female part forms a housing provided with a slit 900 and a cavity 901 in which the two wires 50, 51 of the cable 5 are fixed. The end of each wire forms an electrical contact extending into the slit 900. Only the end 500 is Figure 9 shown.

[0079] The connector 9 also comprises a male part 91 corresponding to the end portion of the connection zone 14. This male part 91 is constituted by the portion of the connection zone 14 close to its free end 140, which is reinforced by a thin polymer layer. By way of example, a polyester layer 250 microns thick is sufficient to reinforce the male part 91.

[0080] The male part 91 comprises the end portions 104, 105 of the conductive tracks 100.

[0081] Between these two end portions, the male part 91 comprises an elongated hollow portion 910 opening onto the free end 140 and which engages with a contact 902 located in the female part 90 when the male part 91 is inserted into the slit 900 in the direction of the arrow F. Figure 8 The male part 91 is shown as also comprising a notch 911 on one of its edges, which notch serves as a correction indicator and helps the user to insert the male part 91 in the correct direction.

[0082] In fact, the connection of the heating protection pad 1 to the control box 6 is ensured by the insertion of the male part 91 into the slit 900 of the housing, so that the electrical contacts are pressed against the end portions 104, 105 to establish the electrical connection. The correction indicator prevents the user from inserting the male part 91 in the reverse direction, which would not establish the electrical connection.

[0083] The disconnection between the heating protection pad 1 and the box 6 is easily achieved by pulling the female part out of the slit in the reverse direction of the arrow F.

[0084] Of course, the application is not limited to the described embodiment. Thus, the connection zone of the heating protection pad can be longer to place the connector outside the device. It is also possible to use no connector and to equip the heating protection pad with an electric wire directly connected to the control box. But this latter solution is more expensive because the electric wire must also be single-use.

[0085] Figure 6 The heating protection pad 1 is shown electrically connected to a power control box 6, in particular by means of the connector 3 previously described with reference to the Figures 3 to 5 described connector 3.

[0086] The control box 6 is powered by a battery 70, which itself is intended to be connected to the power supply by means of a charger 71 adapted to the voltage, such as 110 V, 230 V or 12 V. The application is not limited to this example, the heating protection pad can also be directly connected to the power supply by means of the control box.

[0087] But when the heating protection pad 1 is used in a transport device, it is more appropriate to rely on the battery.

[0088] The operation of the heating protection pad 1 when it is connected to the box and the box itself is powered by the battery 70 will now be described in detail.

[0089] First, an initialization step is performed in which the box measures the intensity of the current at the terminals of the heating element 10 of the heating protection pad 1, from which it deduces the initial current intensity (I0) and the initial resistance (R0) of the heating protection pad.

[0090] In addition, the box measures the ambient temperature (To), which corresponds to the initial temperature of the heating protection pad, at which the box is also at ambient temperature.

[0091] Once the initialization step is complete, the box powers the heating element 10, after a determined time interval (t), the box again measures the intensity of the current at the terminals of the heating element (It) in order to deduce therefrom the resistance value (Rt) of the heating element and the temperature (Tt) of the heating element at this instant t.

[0092] The box then compares the temperature (Tt) at the instant t with a set temperature (Tc) preset by the operator.

[0093] In this regard, the box allows the operator to fix the set temperature within a determined range, generally between 30°C and 41°C, preferably between 30°C and 37°C.

[0094] If this comparison shows that the temperature Tt at the time t is less than the set temperature Tc, the box continues to power the heating element.

[0095] Conversely, the box stops the power supply in order to allow the temperature of the heating protection pad to drop to close to the set temperature.

[0096] The temperature control is performed at substantially fixed time intervals of 0.01 to 1 second, the measurement taking a few milliseconds, to maintain a constant temperature.

[0097] This temperature control is very precise, as it is based on a voltage measurement which gives an accurate indication of the temperature of the heating protective mat. This is not the case for the controls obtained with the methods using heating materials currently known, which have a sharp change in resistance at a certain specific temperature. In fact, the characteristics of these materials can vary over time, no longer providing the precision required, especially in the medical field.

[0098] In addition, the temperature value set is adjustable, which is not the case with the materials currently used, which are designed to automatically adjust the temperature and not according to a fixed set temperature.

[0099] Reference will now be made to Figure 7 which shows an example of a transport device for a newborn.

[0100] The device 8 comprises a first part 80 and a second part 81. The second part (not shown) is removably fixed to the first part to define an enclosure. The first part 80 forms a containment space for the newborn and the second part 81 is a cover, preferably a transparent cover.

[0101] Inside the containment space 80, a soft cushion lining or air cushion 800 is provided to ensure the comfort of the newborn.

[0102] Figure 7 It is shown that, on the soft cushion lining 800, the heating protective mat 1 according to the application is arranged. To keep the heating protective mat on the soft cushion lining, the film 16 on each claw 13a, 13b is torn to expose the adhesive layer 15a, 15b and is glued to the soft cushion lining.

[0103] Figure 7 It is also shown that the connector 3, whose clamp 4 is located at the end of the connection area 14 of the heating protective mat 1, has its cable 5 connected to the control box 6. The cable passes through one of the two openings 801, 802 provided in the wall of the containment space 80. The figure also shows a battery 7 connected to the box 6 to ensure the power supply of the box and of the heating protective mat 1.

[0104] Figure 7 It is shown that the connection area 14, when in use, allows the connector 3 to be kept away from the newborn, thus avoiding any risk of injury by contact with this part. This is the same as in the case of the connector shown in Figure 8 and 9 .

[0105] When the heating protection pad 1 is removed from the cushion lining, the tear lines 130a, 130b are broken. The main body portion 12 and the connection zone 14 of the heating protection pad are separated from the claws 13a, 13b, which will be removed later. This avoids the reuse of the heating protection pad, which must therefore be used only once.

[0106] With the powered heating protection pad according to the application, heat is generated in the immediate vicinity of the patient being transported, without any heat loss. This is different from the case where heat is generated outside the transport device and then transferred to the vicinity of the patient.

[0107] Unlike known devices, Figure 7 The transport device shown does not require forced hot air ventilation to ensure the heating of the enclosure to maintain the temperature of the newborn. The heating protection pad according to the application thus also avoids any dust raising due to air flow.

[0108] The application is not limited to the aforementioned applications, the heating protection pad according to the application can also be used in static devices, such as a neonatal incubator.

Claims

1. A heating protection pad, intended to be detachably fixed in a warming device for maintaining the temperature of a human body, in particular a newborn, when in use, the heating protection pad comprising a thin layer heating element (10) with a sheet-like conductive device and at least one electrically insulating material layer (101) made of an electrically insulating material, the thin layer heating element being intended to be connected to a power supply, wherein: The sheet-like conductive device is made of a conductive material whose resistance changes continuously with temperature, and at least one surface of the thin-layer heating element is at least partially covered with a covering layer (11) made of a textile material.

2. The heating protection pad according to claim 1 comprises at least one fixing claw (13a, 13b) for fixing in the temperature maintaining device, wherein the at least one fixing claw is connected to the central main part (12) of the heating protection pad and protrudes relative to the central main part, and the at least one fixing claw comprises a surface provided with an adhesive layer (15a, 15b). The heating protection pad according to claim 1 or 2, which is disposable.

4. The heating protection pad according to claim 2 and 3, wherein: The at least one fixing claw (13a, 13b) is connected to the central main portion (12) via a tear line (130a, 130b).

5. A heating protection pad according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising a connection area (14) for connection to a power supply, said connection area being connected to said central main part (12) and protruding relative to said central main part, said conductive trace (100) extending over said connection area and terminating at two ends (104, 105).

6. The heating protection pad according to claim 5, wherein the connection area (14) comprises a positioning device (141) for positioning the electrical connector (3).

7. The heating protection pad according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The thin-layer heating element is a heating film, and the sheet-like conductive means comprises a metal conductive trace (100) located at least on the central main portion (12) of the heating protection mat.

8. The heating protection pad according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is sterilized.

9. A kit comprising at least one heating protective mat (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a regulating box (6) of an electric power source, the regulating box being intended to be connected between the heating protective mat and the electric power source, said regulating box comprising means for determining the resistance of the sheet-like conductive means of the thin-layer heating element, deducing therefrom the temperature of the fabric at a moment t (Tt), comparing the temperature with a set value (Tc) and regulating the electric power source according to this comparison.

10. The kit according to claim 9, comprising an electrical connector (3) between the heating protection pad (1) and the regulating box (6), the connector being detachable.

11. A thermal insulation device for maintaining the temperature of a human body, especially a newborn, comprising two parts (80, 81) defining an outer shell, one of which forms a receiving space for receiving a human body and comprises a heating protection pad according to any one of claims 1 to 8 arranged in the receiving space.

12. A thermal insulation device for maintaining the temperature of a human body, especially a newborn, in particular a transport device, comprising two parts (80, 81) defining an outer shell, one of which forms a receiving space for receiving a human body and comprises a kit according to claim 9 or 10, the heating protection pad being arranged in the receiving space, and the regulating box being outside the outer shell.

13. The heat preservation device according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a padded lining, the heating protection pad being detachably fixed to the padded lining.

14. Use of the heating protection mat according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in an apparatus, in particular in a transport apparatus, to maintain the temperature of a human body, in particular a newborn.

Images