Patient support and warming device with improved heating device

Abstract

A patient support and warming device that includes an upper layer; a lower layer; a heating device at least partially disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, the heating device includes one or more heating wires comprising one or more individually insulated conductive wire filaments.

Description

Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)PATIENT SUPPORT AND WARMING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED HEATING DEVICECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to US 63 / 764,786 filed on February 28, 2025 and US 63 / 821,007 filed on June 10, 2025, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] These teachings relate to a patient support and wanning device, and more specifically to a patient support and warming device with an improved heating device.BACKGROU D

[0003] Some medical procedures require a patient to be supported on a medical table. A support pad may be positioned between the patient and the medical table to help maintain the patient in a desired position, enhance comfort, and reduce the risk of pressure-related injuries.

[0004] A patient support and warming device can be used to increase a patient’s body temperature before, during, or after a medical procedure to maintain patient normothermia (e.g., normal body temperature). Maintaining patient normothermia is important for preventing patient complications in the hospital operating room environment. For example, if a patient's body temperature drops below an acceptable level, the patient could develop hypothermia, which can prolong or complicate recovery. Maintaining patient normothermia can also reduce patient postoperative complications such as excessive bleeding, infection, shivering, and cardiac distress.

[0005] Some patient support and warming devices have a heating device comprising conductive polymer or carbon fabric heating elements with bus bars or electrodes connecting the heating wire(s). During packaging, storage, installation, and / or repeated usage of such patient support and warming devices, the heating elements can be moved, often repeatedly, and may become mechanically stressed, damaged, or broken.

[0006] Further, patient support and warming devices are often used in environments such as an operating room where fluids, such as bodily fluids or cleaning fluids, may be present. Contact between such fluids and the heating elements, bus bars, or electrodes can lead to corrosion orDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)degradation of the electrical components. Corrosion, breakage, or mechanical stress of the heating elements or associated electrical connections can increase the risk of localized overheating or device malfunction.

[0007] To mitigate corrosion and mechanical damage, some patient support and warming devices utilize a protective layer to enclose the heating element bus bars, and / or electrodes. While such protective layers may improve durability, they can increase manufacturing cost and may reduce thermal transfer efficiency between the heating device and the patient.

[0008] Accordingly, there remains a need for improved patient support and warming devices that address one or more of the foregoing limitations.SUMMARY

[0009] These teachings provide a patient support and warming device. The patient support and warming device according to these teachings comprises an improved heating device comprising heating wire comprising one or more or a plurality of individually insulated conductive wire filaments. Advantageously, if a single filament of the heating wire breaks or is compromised, it does not lead to an overheating condition. The patient support and warming device according to these teachings is free of or does not include bus bars or electrodes for powering the one or more heating wires. Accordingly, because the heating device is free of bus bars or electrodes, risk of the heating device overheating is eliminated because there are not bus bars or electrodes capable of corroding.

[0010] These teachings also provide a patient support and warming device that includes a second wire loop arranged in parallel to the heating wire. The second wire loop advantageously provides additional capacitive sensing functionality, which may be used, for example, during preheating of the warming device. After a patient is positioned on the warming pad, a controller configured to provide electronic signals or power to the warming pad may switch to a normal temperature control mode. After a patient is no longer positioned on the warming pad, the controller may cease providing power or signals to the warming device, which may advantageously reduce or save energy consumption. These and other advantages will be gleaned from the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0011] Fig. l isa perspective view of an exemplary medical table for use with a patient support and warming device according to these teachings.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a section view of a patient support and warming device taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a top down view of a heating device of the patient support and warming device according to these teachings.

[0014] Fig. 4 is a top down view of a heating device of the patient support and warming device according to these teachings.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a top down view of a heating device of the patient support and warming device according to these teachings.

[0016] Fig. 5 A is a detailed view of a region of the heating device of Fig. 5 identified at 5A.

[0017] Fig. 6 is a side view of an exemplary heating wire comprising a plurality of conductive wire filaments.

[0018] Fig. V is a section view of a patient support and warming device.

[0019] Fig. 8 is a top down view of a heating device of the patient support and warming device according to these teachings.

[0020] Fig. 8A is a detailed view of a region of the heating device of Fig. 8 identified at 8A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates a patient support and warming device 100. The patient support and warming device 100 may be placed on, supported by, or fastened to a support surface 12 of a medical table 10. For example, one or more straps, belts, or other securing devices 103 may be attached to or connected to the patient support and warming device 100 and used to secure or attach the warming device 100 to the table 10, thereby restricting or preventing movement of the warming device 100 during use. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the straps, belts, or other securing devices 103 may be used to secure a patient to the warming device 100 and / or to the table 10.

[0022] The support surface 12 of the medical table 10 may be a structure or platform that is configured to be moved, tilted, or pivoted about the base 14 to position the support surface 12, the patient support and warming device 100, and a patient supported on the patient support andDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)warming device 100 at an inclined position, a declined position, or horizontal position relative to the ground.

[0023] The patient support and warming device 100 is configured to connect to a controller 200 via one or more cables, connectors, or plugs 202. The controller 200 is configured to supply power to a heating device of the patient support and warming device 100 to generate heat. During a medical procedure, a patient may be placed or supported on a patient heating zone 102 of the patient support and warming device 100 so that the generated heat is optimally transferred to the patient. As discussed herein, the patient heating zone 102 of the warming device 100 may be an area or region of the warming device where a patient is placed or located before, during, or after a medical procedure. As discussed in Fig. 4 below, the patient support and warming device 100 may include more than one patient heating zone.

[0024] The structure of the patient support and warming device 100, and in particular the layers of the device 100 discussed below, is / are configured to at least partially conform to the patient's body and, in particular, to form depressions under the patient's body weight for maintaining the patient's body position on the warming device 100. Advantageously, the patient support and warming device 100 according to these teachings is constructed to reduce or prevent patient injuries during or after a medical procedure, such as pressure sores, tissue damage, skin breakdown, and muscle damage.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a section view of the patient support and warming device 100 taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1. The patient support and warming device 100 comprises an upper layer 104, a lower layer 106, and a heating device 108 at least partially disposed between the upper layer 104 and the lower layer 106.

[0026] During a medical procedure, a patient may be positioned on top of the upper layer 104 or under the lower layer 106 (depending if the warming device 100 is used as a pad or blanket, for example). The patient’s skin may be in direct contact with the upper or lower layer 104, 106. In some instances, the patient’s skin may be in indirect contact with the upper or lower layer 104, 106 (e.g., via an intermediate sheet, cover, or patient’s clothing).

[0027] The heating device 108 comprises one or more heating wires 110. The one or more heating wires 110 may comprise one or more wires, resistive wires, impedance wires, or a combination thereof. The one or more heating wires 110 may comprise one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114. The one or more heating wires 110 may beDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)fastened or secured to the carrier 112 using a suitable fastening technique such as sewing, adhesive, welding, RF welding, or the like.

[0028] The heating device 108 may include one or more temperature sensors 116. The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be secured to a carrier 112, upper layer 104, or intermediate layer of the warming device for measuring or monitoring a temperature generated by the one or more heating wires 110 and / or heating device 108. The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be one or more wired or wireless sensors. For example, the one or more wireless temperature sensors may be one or more sensors that are powered and configured to transmit signals via RF (radio frequency) technology.

[0029] One or more temperature sensors 116 may be added to the upper layer 104 or intermediate layer (e.g., layer 132 in Fig. 7) and configured to sense a temperature of a patientfacing surface of the upper layer 104 (e g., the surface that is in contact with the patient). The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be located at the top or patient contact surface of the upper layer 104 or slightly below the top or patient contact surface. One or more sensor wires or cables 118 connecting the one or more temperature sensors 116 to a controller may extend at least partially through a thickness of the upper layer 104 (and optionally an intermediate layer (e.g., 132 in Fig. 7) if the patient support and warming device is so constructed.

[0030] The one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 may be one or more iCu heating wires or devices. An iCu wire or device may be an “intelligent” (i) or “individual” (i) copper (Cu) wire, filament, or strand. An iCu wire may be a heating wire comprising one or multiple copper or copper alloy filaments. One or more of the filaments may be coated with a coating. For example, the coating may be a lacquer coating. The coating may electrically insulate each of the filaments from one another. The one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 may be one or more S-iCu wires. An S-iCu wire may be a “Spiral intelligent Copper (Cu) wire.” This may be a heating wire comprising a non-conductive polymeric core that is wrapped in one or more Cu or iCu filaments. The one or more Cu or iCu filaments may be wrapped around the core in a spiral orientation. The one or more wrapped Cu or iCu wires may be covered or coated a coating such as a polymeric or lacquer coating.

[0031] The one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 may be one or more C-iCu wires. The one or more C-iCu wires may have a substantially similar structure as an S-iCu wire, but a C-iCu wire has more filaments that are wrapped around the coreDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)than a S-iCu wire. A C-iCu wire may be substantially more flexible than a S-iCu wire and / or may have a greater durability than a C-iCu wire.

[0032] The one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or fdaments 114 may be one or more X-iCu wires. The one or more X-iCu wires may have a substantially similar structure as an i-Cu wire discussed above but includes a special copper alloy to improve durability. An X-iCu wire may also be free of an outer insulation or lacquer coating the filaments.

[0033] The one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 may be one or more T-iCu wires. The one or more T-iCu wires may have a substantially similar structure as an i-Cu wire discussed above but includes an enameled Copper-Alloy wire.

[0034] Reference to an individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 or an i-Cu wire may refer to any of the heating wires, strands, filaments, etc. disclosed herein, unless otherwise expressly noted or excluded.

[0035] The one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 (and / or any of the Cu wires disclosed herein) may comprise an enameled Copper or copper-alloy. The one or more filaments may comprise a CuSn,15 (CW117C) material, a CuNI (GCN 10W) material, or both. The one or more filaments may comprise Cu-ETPl material. The one or more filaments may comprise a CuSn0,3 material, CuSn6 material, CuSn0,8 material, CuZnlO material, Cu-ETPl material, CuSn-S9 material, or any combination thereof.

[0036] The one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 may have a resistance per unit length between about 0.70 and 0.80 ohm / m or on the order of about 0.757 ohm / m.

[0037] The number of insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 wrapped around the core may be between about 1 and 5, between 5 and 10, between about 10 and 20, between 20 and 30, between 30 and 40, between 40 and 50, between 50 and 60, between 60 and 70, between 70 and 80, between 80 and 90, betwetn 90 and 100, or more than 100.

[0038] The enamel or varnish provided over the one or more filaments or strands of the heating wire or around multiple filaments may include or comprise an enamel varnish comprising solderable poly etherimide (polyamide overcoat). The enamel or varnish may have a dielectric strength of about 0,96 kV according to test method JIS C 3216-5: 2011. The enamel or varnish may comprise polyurethane.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0039] The outer coating over the one or more filaments or strands may be a PA 12 material (Ubesta 3020x15), having a hardness of about 78 + / - 5 according to ASTM D 2240, a strip force of the outer insulation between about 2,0 and 8,0.

[0040] The core of any of the heating wires, strands, or filaments disclosed herein may comprise a polyacrylate (Zxion, Vectran) material. The core of any of the heating wires may comprise a Polyarylate material. The core may comprise a yarn. A temperature resistance of the core may be on the order of about 120 degrees Celsius and a decomposition temperature may be on the order of about 400 degrees Celsius. The core may have a tensile strength and ultimate elongation more than V of its initial value after about 40 hours. The core may have a decomposition temperature of 400 degrees Celsius. The core may comprise a polymer. The core may comprises a polymeric material selected from silicone, polyurethane, fluoropolymer, or combinations thereof.

[0041] The heating wire 100 or one or more individually insulated conductive wire strands or filaments 114 may be positioned on one side of the carrier 112. The one or more heating wires 110 may be positioned on both sides of the carrier 112 for increased heat generation.

[0001] The carrier 112 may be made of or comprise a fleece, felt, or woven or non-woven fabric. The carrier 112 may be an air-permeable material to enhance the convective transfer of heat generated by the one or more heating wires 110. The carrier 112 may be an air-impermeable material or have an air-impermeable layer applied thereto to reduce the convective transfer of heat generated by the one or more heating wires 110 in a direction opposite from the heating wires 110, particularly where the heating wires 110 are on only one side of the carrier 112.

[0002] The patient support and warming device 100 may comprise one or more connection devices 118. A connection device 118 may be located at a corner of the warming device 100, preferably in an unused region of the device 100, that a patient is not intended to be positioned on or in. The connection device 118 may be laterally offset from a head of a patient when the patient is properly situated in the patient heating zone 102. The connection device 118 may be located proximal to the controller 200 and at a distal end region of the medical table 10. The connection device 118 may include one or more non-flexible electrical and mechanical elements (e.g., solder joints, crimps, welds, PCBs, wire connectors, pigtail connectors, push or pull connectors, strain reliefs, etc.) that may be used for connecting the heating device 108, wires 110, and temperature sensors 116 to the controller 200. A controller 200 is configured to connect to the patient supportDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)and warming device 100 through a warming device connector 120 located at or connected to the connection device 118.

[0003] The connection device 120 may be an extension, plug, wire, cable, etc. projecting from the warming device 100. Alternatively, the connection device 120 may be located within a pocket or recess defined in the patient support and warming device 100 and / or in or between the upper and lower layers 104, 106. The connection device 120 may be located or sandwiched between the upper and lower layers 104, 106 of the device 100.

[0004] The connection device 120 may comprise a portion of the carrier 112 of the heating device 108. For example, referring to Fig. 3, the portion 122 of the carrier 112 may be a distal-most and / or a lateral-most corner of the carrier, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the patient support and warming device 100 or carrier 112 and patient.

[0005] A warming device cable 124 and warming device connector 120 may extend distally out of or from the connection device 118. The warming device connector 120 may connect to a controller connector connected to a controller cable 202 of the controller 200 (Fig. 1). Electrical signals or power may be communicated from or between the controller 200 and the one or more heating wires 110 or temperature sensors of the heating device 108 to generate heat and / or monitor the temperature of the heating device 108.

[0006] The patient support and warming device 100 comprises an opening or aperture 126 through which the warming device cable 124 and / or connector 120 extends in a distal direction. The opening or aperture 126 may be defined in or at a region where the upper layer 104 and the lower layer 106 are connected together (e.g., the opening at a parting line therebetween). In some configurations, the opening or aperture 126 may be generally centered at a thickness of the patient support and warming device. In other configurations, the opening or aperture 126 may be defined or arranged generally closer to a top surface 128 of the upper layer 104 compared to a bottom surface 130 of the lower layer 106, or vice versa.

[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates the heating device 108. The heating device 108 comprises one or more heating wires 110 that are attached or supported on the carrier 112. The one or more heating wires 110 comprise one or more individually insulated conductive wire filaments 114. The one or mor heating wires 110 are arranged on the carrier in a meandering or serpentine configuration. The one or more heating wires 110 are electrically connected to the one or more wires, connectors, or plugs for electrically connecting to the controller or power source.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates a heating device 108 for use with a patient support and warming device according to these teachings. The heating device of Fig. 4 comprises two patient warming zones, namely a first patient heating zone 102 and a second patient heating zone 102’. The first patient heating zone 102 has a different power density than the second patient heating zone 102’. For example, the first patient heating zone 102 may have a higher power density than the second patient heating zone 102’, or vice versa. The first patient heating zone 102 may be located in a torso region of a patient when the patient is positioned on the patient support and warming device 100. The second patient heating zone 102’ may be located in a head region of the patient when the patient is positioned on the patient support and warming device 100. In some configurations, the heating device 102 may have more than two patient heating zones. For example, specific patient heating zones and wire patterns may be provided at one or both leg regions of the patient, arm regions of the patient, lower back, upper back, medical side of the patient, or any combination thereof.

[0009] The orientation, layout, and / or pattern of the heating wires 110 and / or wire filaments 114 may be different in each of the patient heating zones 102, 102’. For example, the heating wires 110 may be arranged closer together in the first patient heating zone 102 than in the second patient heating zone 102’ to provide the higher power density than in the second patient heating zone 102’. This may be advantageous to have higher power density in a region of the patient’s torso to provide a faster warm-up and higher steady-state temperature compared to a head area of the patient warming pad.

[0010] Fig. 5 illustrates a heating device 108 for use with a patient support and warming device according to these teachings. The heating device 108 comprises one or more first heating wires 110 secured to a carrier 112. The one or more first heating wires 110 may comprise one or more individually insulated conductive wire filaments or strands 114 that are attached to the carrier 112. The heating wires 110 may be fastened using a suitable fastening technique such as sewing, adhesive, or the like. The heating device 108 may also include one or more temperature sensors secured to a carrier 112 for measuring or monitoring a temperature generated by the one or more heating wires 110 and / or heating device 108.

[0011] The heating device 108 comprises one or more second heating wires 132 secured to the carrier 112. The one or more second heating wires 132 may be secured to the carrier 112 in parallel to the first heating wires 110. In other words, the pattern of the second heating wires 132 may beDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)substantially the same as and follow the pattern of the first heating wires 110. The one or more second heating wires 132 may function as a sensing device or more particularly a capacitive sensing device.

[0012] After the controller 200 or system is turned on, the controller 200 may provide signals to the heating device 108 to preheat the heating device. This preheat may be a high heat mode to quickly bring the heating device 108 to a predetermined temperature. After a patient is placed on the warming device 100, the second heating wires 132 may sense presence of the patient on the warming device 100 via a change in capacitance of the second heating wires 132. The controller 200 may then change the heating mode to a normal heating mode to reduce or maintain the heat generated by the heating device 108. After a patient is removed from the warming device 100, the second heating wires 132 may sense absence of the patient on the warming device 100 via a change in capacitance. The controller 200 may then change the heating mode to a low heating mode or off mode to save or conserve power or energy.

[0013] With continued reference to Fig. 5 and 5A, a method of operating the patient support and warming device 100 is disclosed. The method comprises a step of turning the controller 200 ON and entering a preheat mode where one or more electronic signals or power is / are provided to the heating device and in particular to the heating wires 110. In response to a patient being placed on the warming device and the second heating wires 132 detect presence of the patient on the warming device 100 via a change in capacitance of the second heating wire 32, the controller 200 is configured to enter a normal heating mode where a temperature output of the heating device 108 is reduced or maintained. After a patient is removed from the warming device 100 and in response to the second heating wires 132 sensing absence of the patient on the warming device 100 via a change in the capacitance of the second heating wire 132, the controller 200 is configured to enter a low heating mode or turn off heating. This may advantageously save or conserve energy.

[0014] Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary heating wire 110. The heating wire 110 may comprise a core 134 around which one or more wires or filaments 114 are arranged. Two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, ten or more filaments or strands, 50 or more, 70 or more filaments or strands 114 can be wrapped around the core 134. There may be 7 strands wrapped around the core 134. There may be more than or less than seven (7) filaments 114 around the core 134. The one or more filaments or strands 114 may be spirally wrapped around the core 134.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0015] One or more gaps 136 or interruptions may be provided between a grouping of the spirals 137 of strands or fdaments 114, through which the core 134 may be exposed. A grouping of the spirals 137 may be where two or more strands or filaments 114 are directly next to one another or juxtaposed to one another such that no gap or space is defined therebetween or where the core 134 is not visible therebetween.

[0016] A gap 136 may allow for the heating wire 110 to bend or deform during use, storage, and / or manufacture of the heating device. The one or more filaments 114 may be individually coated with an insulator or lacquer coating as discussed herein. An outer insulator or coating 138 may be disposed over the one or more filaments 114 and core 134. Advantageously, if one or more of the filaments 114 breaks or shorts, the heating wire 110 or heating device may continue delivering heating to the patient because of the other filaments 114 that are still intact. Moreover, due to the individually insulated filaments or strands 114, risk of short circuiting or hot spots is reduced if one or more of the filaments breaks or insulation breaks.

[0017] In contrast to a heating wire formed from a single conductive filament, the heating wire 110 comprising a plurality of individually insulated filaments 114 provides improved mechanical robustness and fatigue resistance. During repeated bending, folding, compression, or shear loading — such as may occur during patient movement, cleaning, transport, or storage — strain may be distributed across multiple filaments 114 rather than concentrated in a single filament. This distributed loading reduces the likelihood of catastrophic failure associated with fracture of a single solid conductor.

[0018] The use of multiple individually insulated filaments 114 further provides electrical redundancy. In a single-filament heating wire, fracture or insulation failure typically results in complete loss of heating functionality or the creation of localized overheating. By contrast, the heating wire 110 may continue to generate heat even if fewer than all of the filaments 114 are electrically compromised, thereby improving reliability and service life of the patient support and warming device.

[0019] Additionally, the individually insulated filaments 114 may reduce the formation of localized hot spots relative to a single-filament heating wire. Because electrical current may be shared among multiple filaments 114, localized increases in resistance caused by partial filament damage, kinking, or deformation may have a reduced effect on overall heat generation. This promotes more uniform heat distribution and reduces the risk of patient discomfort or tissue injury.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0020] The plurality of filaments 114 may also improve thermal conformity of the heating device to underlying patient anatomy or support surfaces. The heating wire 110 may exhibit increased flexibility and compliance relative to a single solid filament, allowing the heating device to more closely follow contours of the patient support surface while maintaining electrical continuity.

[0021] Furthermore, individual insulation of the filaments 114 electrically isolates adjacent filaments from one another, thereby reducing the likelihood of short circuits resulting from insulation wear, abrasion, or partial exposure of conductive material. This electrical isolation may enhance safety, particularly in medical environments where predictable heating behavior and fault tolerance are desired.

[0022] Fig. 7 illustrates a patient support and warming device 100 according to these teachings. The patient support and warming device 100 comprises an upper layer 104, a lower layer 106, and a heating device 108 at least partially disposed between the upper layer 104 and the lower layer 106. The heating device 108 comprises one or more heating elements 110 and / or temperature sensors. The structure and / or composition of the heating device 108 may include one or more of any of the teachings herein.

[0023] The heating device 108 may include an inner upper layer 140 and an inner lower layer 142. The layers 140, 142 may at least partially or entirely sandwich or surround the heating device 108 or carrier to form a heating device sandwich. In other words, the inner upper layer 140 may be arranged above or over an upper surface of the heating device 108 or carrier 112 and below the upper layer 104. The inner lower layer 142 may be arranged below or under a lower surface of the heating device 108 or carrier 112 and above the lower layer 106.

[0024] One or both of the layers 140, 142 may function as a heat distribution layer to distribute heat generated by the heating device 108. One or both of the layers 140, 142 may function as a heart deflector or guard, to deflect or direct heat generated by the heating device 108 to one or more predetermined or preferred directions. For example, one or both of the layers 140, 142 may be made form a foil material to function to direct or reflect heat generated by the heating device 108 towards or in a direction of the patient. One or both of the layers 140, 142 may function as a fire retardant, suppressor, or insulator and be used as a safety feature to reduce chances of flammability in the event of an electrical short or other electrical defect from the heating device 108. One or both of the layers 140, 142 may function to distribute heat generated by the heatingDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)device 108 to reduce or prevent hot spots from the heating device 108. One or both of the layers 140, 142 may function to protect the heating device 108 from fluid or liquid spills, such as saline, blood, etc., that may be present in a medical operating room and that may otherwise damage or cause shorts in the electrical heating device 108 if allowed to come into contact with the elements of the heating device 108. In this regard, one or both of the layers 140, 142 may function to absorb such fluid or liquid spills, or, in other configurations, cause the fluid or liquid spills to simply pool and not allow the fluid or liquid to penetrate the layers 140, 142.

[0025] In some configurations, the inner upper layer 140 may be configured to function as a heat distribution layer to distribute heat generated by the heating device 108 and reduce localized hot spots. The inner lower layer 142 may comprise a foil material configured to deflect or reflect heat generated by the heating device 142 toward a patient-facing direction of the patient support and warming device.

[0026] One or both of the layers 140, 142 may be attached or connected to one or more of the upper layer 104 and the lower layer 106. To facilitate such attachment or connection, a suitable fastener or adhesive may be provided between the adjacent layers 104, 140 and 106, 142. In other configurations, the two layers 140, 142 may be connected or attached together with other attachment members such as sewing, welding, tape, the like, or a combination thereof. In some configurations, the layers 140, 142 may be secured around the heating element 108 and then the upper and lower layers 104, 106 may be fastened to the layers 140, 142 with a suitable adhesive or fastener. In some configurations, the layers may be 140, 142 may be secured around the heating element 108 with a suitable adhesive or fastener, and then the upper and lower layers 104, 106 may be arranged around the layers 140, 142 but connected to one another 104, 106 to create an envelope or sleeve around the layers 140, 142 with the heating element 108 there between.

[0027] One or both of the layers 140, 142 may be made from the same material or from different materials. One or both of the layers 140, 142 may have the same thickness or may have varying thicknesses. One or both of the layers 140, 142 may be made from a suitable flexible material. One or both of the layers 140, 142 may be made from a woven or non-woven material. One or both of the layers may be made from fleece, polyester, or other cloth material.

[0028] One or both of the layers 140, 142 may function as a spacer to separate or provide a gap or space between the heating layer and elements thereof and the upper and / or lower layersDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)104, 106 to allow the heat generated by the heating layer 108 to be transferred to upper / lower layers 104, 106 via radiative heat transfer.

[0029] Figs. 8 and 8A illustrate a heating device 108 for use with a patient support and warming device according to these teachings. The heating device 108 comprises one or more heating wires 110 secured to a carrier 112. The one or more heating wires 110 can be one or more resistive copper wires and / or any of the wires or heating devices or fdaments 114 disclosed herein.

[0030] The one or more heating wires 110 can be secured to the carrier 112 via a suitable connector or attaching device, such as sewing, tape, adhesive, etc. The one or more heating wires 110 may be provided on the carrier 112 in a variety of patterns, paths, or arrangements, such as one or more loops, lines, serpentine patterns, or a combination thereof. The one or more loops or serpentine patterns may be substantially uniformly spaced and arranged to provide uniform heating.

[0031] One or more temperature sensors 116 may be attached or provided to on the carrier 112. The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be arranged on the carrier 112 in one or more locations to provide a temperature measurement or feedback of heat generated by the one or more heating wires 110. The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be one or more Negative Temperature Coefficient thermistors (NTC sensors). An NTC sensor or thermistor is a thermally sensitive semiconductor resistor that shows a sharp decrease in resistance as temperature increases. Data or feedback from the temperature sensors 116 may be read or processed by a controller.

[0032] The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be secured to the carrier and / or to one or more of the layers adjacent to the carrier and / or heating elements 110 via a suitable fastener 140, such as sewing, tape, adhesive, etc.

[0033] The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be electrically connected to the controller or plug via one or more conductors 142. The one or more conductors 142 may be arranged at or along a perimeter of the carrier, outside of a footprint of the one or more heating wires 110. The one or more conductors 142 may extend into or between one or more wire loops or the serpentine pattern of the heating wires 110.

[0034] Referring specifically to Fig. 8A, the one or more heating wires 110 may be arranged in a serpentine pattern or in one or more loops. The one or more wire loops may have wires that are spaced substantially uniform on the entire carrier 110 (See e.g. region I). Two or more of the wires 110 in the loops or serpentine pattern are arranged closer to one another than other serpentineDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)patterns or loops (See region II). One or more temperature sensors 116 are arranged between these narrowed arrangement of heating wires 110. This arrangement of temperature sensors 116 between narrowed positioning of the heating wires 110 may enable the temperature sensors 116 to have more accurate temperature measurements or feedback, than if the temperature sensors 116 are arranged between heating wires 110 that are spaced further apart.

[0035] Accordingly, the heating device comprises one or more heating wires 110 that are arranged on the carrier 106 in a serpentine pattern defining a first region (region I) in which adjacent portions of the heating wires 108 are spaced at a first distance apart, and a second region (region II) in which adjacent portions of the heating wires 108 are spaced at a second distance apart that is less than the first distance of the wires 108 in region I. At least one temperature sensor 116 is positioned between the adjacent portions of the heating wires 108 in the second region II.

[0036] The one or more conductors 142 may be a bundle or conductors that are bundled together via one or more connectors 144, which are secured to the carrier. The one or more connectors 144 may be one fasteners like sewing, tape, adhesive.

[0037] The warming device may include a plurality of temperature sensors 116. The plurality of temperature sensors 116 may have a common ground wire. In other configurations, the plurality of temperature sensors 116 may have a single, dedicated ground wire.

[0038] A system is also disclosed, as shown in at least Figs. 1, 2A, and 3 A, 4A, and 5 A, 7, 8 etc. comprising a patient support and warming device 100 and a controller 200.

[0039] The patient support and warming device according to these teachings may be configured for use in a medical setting. Such medical setting may include an operating room, emergency room, intensive care unit, hospital room, nursing home, and other medical treatment locations. The patient support and warming device according to these teachings may be used in non-medical settings, such as in a home, office, or personal care application.

[0040] The patient support and warming device may be a mattress, mattress overlay, pad, pillow, cushion, or other underbody device on which a patient or one or more body parts of a patient may be positioned or supported. In some configurations, the teachings of the patient support and warming device may be applied or incorporated into an over body device, such as a blanket.

[0041] The patient support and warming device may be configured to provide therapeutic warming to a patient or one or more body parts of the patient. The patient support and warming device can be used to increase a patient’s body temperature to maintain patient normothermia (e.g.,Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)normal body temperature) before, during, or after a medical procedure. Maintaining patient normothermia is important for preventing patient complications in the hospital operating room environment. For example, if a patient's body temperature drops below an acceptable level, the patient could develop hypothermia, which can prolong or complicate recovery. Maintaining patient normothermia can also reduce patient post-operative complications such as excessive bleeding, infection, shivering, and cardiac distress.

[0042] The patient support and warming device can be used for positioning or supporting a patient in a variety of positions on a medical table, such as a flat or horizontal portion, an inclined position, a reverse inclined position, a Trendelenburg position, the reverse Trendelenburg position, lateral positioning, and / or a modified Trendelenburg position. For example, an angle of the medical or operating table on which the patient support and warming device and patient can be situated in the inclined position can be between about 0 and 45 degrees or between 30 degrees and 45 degrees from or relative to a horizonal plane or ground.

[0043] The patient support and warming device can be configured to be secured to a surgical or medical table via one or more securing devices, such as one or more straps, draw strings, hook and loop fasteners, clasps, the like, or a combination thereof. This may advantageously maintain the patient support and warming device from moving on the medical table when the table is in a tilted, inclined, or declined position.

[0044] The patient support and warming device may be a single use device, meaning the device is intended to be used once and then disposed of. The patient support and warming device according to these teachings may not be reusable. A single-use device may increase hygiene, reduce risk of infection, and reduce set up and cleaning time by operating room staff.

[0045] In other configurations, the patient support and warming device may be reusable. Reusable means that the patient support and warming device can be cleaned, can be exposed to multiple patients and / or used during multiple procedures. A reusable device may reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly.

[0046] The patient support and warming device may have a size on the order or about 23 or 24 inches wide by about 44 inches long. This may enable the device to be provided under a patient to provide desired warmth and comfort to the patient.

[0047] In other configurations, the warming device may be larger or smaller. For example, in some configurations, the warming device may extend from a region below the feet of a patient toDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)a region above the heat of a patient. Tn other configurations, the patient support and warming device may extend from a region above the buttocks of a patient to a region below the shoulders of a patient. This may enable the pad to be used as a cost-effective positioning pad for certain medical procedures, such as Trendelenburg procedures.

[0048] The patient support and warming device comprises one or more patient positioning zones or patient warming zones. A patient positioning or warming zone may refer to one or more predefined regions, zones, or areas on the warming device that are configured to provide heating or warmth to a patient. For example, a patient positioning or warming zone may be tailored to provide heating to a head, neck, back, upper back, lower back, legs, feet, arms, hands, etc. of a patient. Each of the patient positioning or warming zones may provide the same amount of heat output, or may provide different amounts of heat output, depending on the configuration of the heating device arranged below that area(s) of the patient. For example, the heating device, conductor, pattern of the conductor, can all affect heat output and can be specifically tailored to provide specific amounts of heating to certain patient positioning zones or patient wanning zones.

[0049] A patient positioning or warming zone may be free of (or not include) one or more non-flexible electrical and mechanical connectors for connecting the heating device to the controller, and the patient positioning zone is free of non-flexible electrical and mechanical connectors or devices. Advantageously, this makes the patient position zones and the warming device in general more comfortable in that the patient does not feel rigid or non-flexible elements below them under their body as the one or more layers of the warming device are compressed under the patient’s weight. Instead, such non-flexible electrical and mechanical connectors or devices are located outside of the one or more patient position zones or waring zones, which may be laterally adjacent to and / or distal of a patient’s head, neck, shoulders, feet, or any combination thereof.

[0050] The patient support and warming device may comprise one or more layers. The one or more layers may be flexible and conformable to a patient’s body to allow the patient support and warming device or one or more layers thereof to heated to deform, conform to, and accommodate the patient. The patient support and warming device and / or the one or more layers thereof may be adapted to conform to a patient’s body under pressure from the patient laying or resting upon the device and to return to an original shape when patient or pressure is removed.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0051] The one or more layers may have a sufficient thickness to support or maintain a patient on the warming device. The one or more layers may be thick enough for positioning and fixating a patient on the warming device and the warming device on the table, but thin enough to provide an adequate heat transfer from the heating device to the patient. The upper and lower layers may have the same thickness or may have different thicknesses from each other. For example, the layer or foam thickness may be on the order of about Vi inches” to about 2 inches”. For example, the top layer may be inch thick and the bottom layer may be 1 inch or 1.5 inches thick, or vice versa. For example, one or both of the foam layers may have a thickness of about % inch.

[0052] The one or more layers may comprise one or more materials such as foam. The foam may be an open cell foam or a closed cell foam. In some configurations, the one or more layers may comprise various sections having open and closed foam. The foam may be a medium response foam comprising polyurethane.

[0053] The one or more layers may be one or more layers of foam, which may be a quick response foam that has immediate rebound that can be unrolled or unfolded from a storage package or configuration and immediately used, without having to wait for the one or more layer or foam to get flat, as may be the case with certain memory foam materials. For example, the one or more layers may be offered by PRIME MEDICAL LLC under the trade name PRIMEPAD®. In other configurations, the one or more layers may comprise a memory foam material. The one or more layers may comprise a non-viscoelastic foam material. The one or more layers may comprise a viscoelastic foam material. A viscoelastic foam material may exhibit both elastic and viscous behavior when deformed (e.g., when a patient is positioned over the device).

[0054] The one or more layers may be covered by a flexible, water-resistant shell or cover to protect or insulate the one or more layers from moisture or damage. In other configurations, the one or more layers may be exposed or not include a shell or covering over the foam. The one or more layers may include one or more friction enhancing elements to help maintain the warming device on the medical table and / or the patient on the warming device. For example, a sheet of fabric or other material can be at least partially coated on both sides of the warming device with high-friction plastic or rubber interposed between the patient and the warming device in order to increase the coefficient of friction. An example of this may be a PVC foam or silicone rubber applied as a pattern of three-dimensional raised dots onto a fabric.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0055] The patient support and warming device may comprise at least two layers. The two layers may be a top or upper layer and a bottom or lower layer. The opposing layers may sandwich or be disposed around one or more layers such as a heating device or layer. The opposing layers may be joined together via a suitable fastening method such as welding, RF welding, adhesives, sewing, oversewing on the sides and / or ends, overlook sewing, colander (fluid through the foam layers), chemical weld, vulcanization, ultrasonic welding, buttons, clasps, tape, double sided tape, laminating, thermo-adhesive, spray adhesive, or a combination thereof.

[0056] The patient support and warming device may comprise one or more insulative or thermo-reflective layers on a back or lower layer to move or redirect heating power to the upper layer or patient warming or positioning zone. This may help direct the heating power generated by the heating device to the patient positioning zone so that the heating is not dispersed or dissipated to non-heated areas. The one or more reflective layers may be made from a Teflon or other reflective or insulating layers. Such insulative or thermal-reflective layers may be provided under or below the heating layer (and above the lower layer of the warming device). Such insulative or thermal- reflective layers may be provided over or above the heating layer (and below the upper layer of the warming device). In other configurations, an insulative or reflective layer may be a layer of the warming device that is arranged furthest away from a patient. For example, if the warming device is a blanket, then the insulative or reflective layer may be arranged above the heating device or upper layer. For example, if the warming device is a pad that a patient is to lay on top of, then the insulative or reflective layer may be arranged below the heating device or lower layer.

[0057] In some configurations, the warming device can function as both a pad and blanket. This may allow a single device to be used for multiple purposes.

[0058] The patient support and warming device may comprise one or more heating devices. A heating device may be a device or layer that is configured to generate heat in response to one or more electrical signals or power supplied thereto from a controller. The heating device may comprise one or more conductors secured to a carrier. The one or more conductors may be one or more wires such as copper wires iCu wires. The one or more conductors may be fastened to a carrier via a suitable method, such as sewing, gluing, adhesives, welding, taping, or a combination thereof.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0059] The one or more heating conductors, wires or i-Cu wires may be or may comprise a carbon alloy surrounded by a polymeric coating.

[0060] The one or more heating devices, wires, or conductors may be located on only one side of a carrier (e.g., on a top side of the carrier that faces the upper layer of the warming device, or on a bottom side of the carrier that faces the lower layer of the warming device).

[0061] In some configurations, one or more heating devices, wires, or conductors may be located on one side of a carrier, and one or more other heating devices, wires, or conductors may be located on a second or opposing side of a carrier. This may be useful for heating both sides of the carrier and / or for using one side as a capacitance sensor for sensing presence or absence of an object or patient.

[0062] In some configurations, the upper layer and / or the lower layer may be directly connected to carrier via one or more fasteners (tape, adhesive, glue, welding, sewing, etc ).

[0063] The one or more conductors may include one or more threads that are separately and individually coated with an electrically conductive or semi-conductive material. Such a wire may advantageously allow the wire to be flexible to enable the heating layer and the patient support and warming device to be flexible and conformable to the patient’s body. The one or more wires may be one or more braided wires that are individually coated.

[0064] The heating layer / device may be free of a heating device comprising conductive polymeric materials or carbon fabric heating elements comprising parallel buss bars or electrodes. Advantageously, by omitting these elements, risk of overeating due to corrosion of electrodes is reduced or eliminated.

[0065] The warming device, the heating device, or both may be free of any protective or dielectric layers at, near, on, or enclosing one or more heating devices, elements, wires, conductors, or a combination thereof.

[0066] The carrier may be a fabric support material on or to which the one or more conductors are fastened. The carrier may be a woven or non-woven fabric. The carrier can be foam. The carrier can be one or more of the foam layers. For example, the one or more heating conductors, sensors, etc. can be fastened to a back side, bottom side, or inner side of the upper layer and / or the lower layer. The carrier may be an insulator.

[0067] The patient support and warming device may comprise a heating layer / device having a single watt density across the entire device. In other configurations, the heating layer / device mayDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)have two or more heating zones having different watt densities. For example, the heating wire may be fastened to the carrier in a first zone or region in a pattern that differs from the pattern that the heating wire is fastened to the carrier in a second zone or region. The difference in the pattern may result in the heating wire having different watt densities in these zones. Advantageously, this may result in the patient support and warming device being configured to generate heat according to different densities regardless if the heating layer / device is stretched into a 3-dimensional shape such as a compound curve.

[0068] The heating layer or heating device may function to provide a heat density, also known as heat flux or thermal flux, at the patient of about 300-500 watts / m2, or about 300-400 watts / m2, of about 375 watts / m2, of about 50-200 watts / m2, or more preferably 100-150 watts / m2, or even more preferably 115-150 watts / m2.

[0069] The patient support and warming device may comprise one or more temperature sensors. A temperature sensor may be configured or adapted to monitor the temperature of the one or more heating wires or heating devices. The one or more temperature sensors may be located in one or more of the patient position zones or outside of the one or more patient positioning zones. In some configurations, the one or more patient positioning zones may be free of any temperature sensors, as these may be a non-flexible or rigid element that may be felt by a patient. In such a configuration, the one or more temperature sensors may be located in a region outside of the one or more patient positioning zones, such as in the one or more extension flaps.

[0070] The one or more temperature sensors may be one or more flexible PCB temperature sensors extending into the one or more patient positioning or warming zones or radiolucent sensors. A plurality of temperature sensors may be provided on a single conductor line, for example 4 or more sensors. The one or more temperature sensors may be located laterally between adjacent heating conductors and not on the actual heating conductor.

[0071] In some configurations, the one or more temperature sensors may be located on the one or foam layers. This may be in addition to the temperature sensor(s) being located on the heating device, or instead of the temperature sensor(s) being located on the heating device.

[0072] The heating device may comprise a conductive tape, such as copper tape, to function as a heat spreader for the one or more heating wires. This may function to advantageously require fewer temperature sensors on the heating device and / or to detect potential hot spots in a larger area of the heating device.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0073] The warming device and / or the heating device may include one or more additional sensors, such as pressure sensors, moisture sensors, presence sensors, capacitive sensors, or a combination thereof. Such additional sensors may be electrically connected to the controller via the one or more cables or connectors.

[0074] The heating device may include one or more capacitive wires or sensors. The one or more capacitive wires or sensors may be one or more wires that are fastened to the carrier. The one or more capacitive wires may be the same type of wire that is used for generating heat on the heating device. The one or more capacitive wires may be one or more iCu wires or individually insulated conductive wire filaments. The one or more capacitive wires may be the same type of wire used for generating heat. The one or more capacitive wires may be different from the one or more wires for generating heat. The one or more capacitive may not be i-Cu wires.

[0075] During use, a change in capacitance can be detected using an electronic sensor circuit (e g., contained within the controller), control device, patient warming pad, etc., that generates a signal based on having detected the capacitance change. When a capacitance change has been detected, the controller may be configured to increase, decrease, maintain a temperature output of the heating device as discussed herein.

[0076] The warming device, the heating device, or both may be free of any protective or dielectric layers at, near, on, or enclosing the one or more heating devices, elements, wires, conductors, or a combination thereof.

[0077] The patient support and warming device may comprise one or more connection devices. A connection device may function to provide a region, area, location, or means for connecting the heating device and / or the patient support and warming device to a controller. Electrical and / or power signals may be communicated between one or more controllers and the patient support and warming device or heating deivce through the connection device. The connection device may be located outside of the one or more patient positioning or warming zones, where a patient or body part of the patient is configured to be supported. The connection device may be located within an overall footprint of the patient support and warming device but away from any regions or areas where a patient or body part of a patient may be positioned. Advantageously, this allows for maximum area of the warming device to be used for the patient. For example, the one or more connection devices may be located distal and / or laterally from of a head or legs of a patient, lateral of a head, neck, shoulder, back, waist, or lower body of a patient, or a combination thereof. TheDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)one or more connection devices may be located at an end of the patient support and warming device that is closest to the controller. This may advantageously reduce required cord length to communicate the one or more signals or power therebetween.

[0078] The connection device may be a recess or pocket defined in the warming device. The connection device may be a recess, opening, or aperture defined between the upper and lower layers. The connection device may be sandwiched between the upper and lower layers.

[0079] The connection device may comprise one or more non-flexible electrical and / or mechanical elements for connecting the heating device to a controller. Because the one or more non-flexible electrical and / or mechanical elements are outside of the zone where a patient is positioned before, during, or after a medical procedure, risk of patient discomfort, pressure sores, tissue damage, skin breakdown, and / or muscle damage is reduced. Moreover, because the main area of the patient support and warming device is free of non-flexible electrical and / or mechanical elements, the warming device has increased flexibility which may be advantageous for handling and folding during manufacturing, shipping, storage, etc. These and other advantages can be gleaned from the following teachings.

[0080] The connection device may include one or more heating elements, temperature sensors, or other mechanical or electrical devices for connecting and supplying power and signals between the controller and the heating device or warming device.

[0081] The connection device may include one or more openings or apertures. The one or more openings or apertures may extend through the upper layer, the lower layer, or both. The one or more openings or apertures may provide for a connection cable or connector to extend into the connection device. The one or more openings or apertures may be defined in an end of the warming device, upper layer, or lower layer; the end being adjacent to a controller. The one or more openings or apertures may extend at an angle relative to a horizontal plane or the medical tabletop. The angle may be on the order of about 0 degrees to 90 degrees. Preferably the angle is such that the cable or connector does not kink or have strain applied to it if it was at a very low or high angle. An angle between about 30 and 60 degrees may be appropriate, or about 45 degrees.

[0082] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt andDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

[0083] Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0084] Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.

[0085] The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. For example, disclosure of “a motor” does not limit the teachings to a single motor. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a motor” may include “one or more motors.”

[0086] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.

[0087] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)

[0088] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0089] Any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a single embodiment. Instead, any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein may be substituted, combined, and / or modified with any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein to form one or more embodiments that may not be specifically illustrated or described herein.

[0090] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patient applications and publications, testing specifications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

Claims

Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)CLAIMSClaim 1. A patient support and warming device configured for placement between a patient and a support surface of a table, the patient support and warming device comprising:an upper layer;a lower layer;a heating device at least partially disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, wherein the heating device comprises one or more heating wires comprising one or more individually insulated conductive wire filaments.Claim 2. The patient support and warming device according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more heating wires comprises a core and the plurality of conductive filaments arranged around the core.Claim 3. The patient support and warming device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of conductive filaments are spirally wrapped around the core.Claim 4. The patient support and warming device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of conductive filaments comprises at least five conductive filaments.Claim 5. The patient support and warming device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein one or more gaps are defined between groupings of adjacent spirals of the conductive filaments, each grouping comprising two or more conductive filaments that are directly adjacent to one another such that no gap is defined therebetween.Claim 6. The patient support and warming device according to claim 5, wherein the one or more gaps are configured to permit bending or deformation of the heating wire during use, storage, or manufacture.Claim 7. The patient support and warming device according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein each of the conductive filaments is individually coated with an electrical insulation layer.Docket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)Claim 8. The patient support and warming device according to claim 7 or any one of the previous claims, wherein an outer insulating coating is disposed over and surrounds the individually insulated conductive fdaments.Claim 9 The patient support and warming device according to 7 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the conductive filaments comprise metallic filaments selected from copper, copper alloy, stainless steel, nichrome, or combinations thereof, and the core of each heating wire comprises a polymeric material selected from silicone, polyurethane, fluoropolymer, or combinations thereof.Claim 10. The patient support and warming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the heating device comprises a first patient heating zone and a second patient heating zone, wherein the first patient heating zone comprises a higher power density than the second patient heating zone.Claim 11. The patient support and warming device according to claim 10, wherein a pattern of the heating wire that is fastened to the carrier in the first patient heating zone is different than a pattern of the heating wire that is fastened to the carrier in the second patient heating zone.Claim 12. The patient support and warming device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first patient heating zone is located in a torso region of a patient when the patient is positioned on the patient support and warming device, and the second patient heating zone is located in a head region of the patient when the patient is positioned on the patient support and warming device.Claim 13. The patient support and warming device according to according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the heating device comprises a second heating wire fastened to the carrier in parallel to the heating wire, the second heating wire is configured to provide capacitive sensing.Claim 14. The patient support and warming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the patient support and warming device comprises one or more temperatureDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)sensors in or on the upper layer configured to sense a temperature of a patient-facing surface of the upper layer, and one or more sensor wires or cables connecting the one or more temperature sensors to a controller extend at least partially through a thickness of the upper layer.Claim 15. The patient support and warming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more heating wires are arranged in a serpentine pattern defining a first region in which adjacent portions of the heating wires are spaced apart by a first distance and a second region in which adjacent portions of the heating wires are spaced apart by a second distance that is less than the first distance, and wherein at least one temperature sensor is positioned between the adjacent portions of the heating wires in the second region.Claim 16. The patient support and warming device according to claim 1 or to any one of the previous claims, wherein the heating wire is disposed only on a first side of the carrier and a second heating wire is disposed on a second side of the carrier.Claim 17. The patient support and warming device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating device further comprises an inner upper layer and an inner lower layer that at least partially sandwich the heating device, the inner upper layer being disposed between the heating device and the upper layer and the inner lower layer being disposed between the heating device and the lower layer.Claim 18. The patient support and warming device according to claim 17, wherein the inner upper layer is configured to function as a heat distribution layer to distribute heat generated by the heating device and reduce localized hot spots, and the inner lower layer comprise a foil material configured to deflect or reflect heat generated by the heating device toward a patient-facing direction of the patient support and warming device.Claim 19. A method of operating the patient support and warming device according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises a step of turning the controller ON and enter a preheat mode, and in response to a patient being placed on the warming device and the second heating wires detect presence of the patient on the warming device via a change in capacitance of the secondDocket No.: 2249.022WO (T-MD-0052-WO)heating wire, the controller is configured to enter a normal heating mode, wherein after a patient is removed from the warming device and in response to the second heating wires sensing absence of the patient on the warming device via a change in the capacitance of the second heating wire, the controller is configured to enter a low heating mode or turn off heating.Claim 20. A system comprising the patient support and warming device according to any one of the previous claims and the controller.

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