Conformable heating blanket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric warming blankets used in surgical settings lack flexibility and adequate contact with patients, especially when the patient's position changes, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential hypothermia.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electric heating blanket with an elastic heating element and a polymeric shell, incorporating malleable wires for secure positioning and improved conformability to the patient's body, ensuring effective heat transfer and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional electric warming blankets are made of multiple layers of materials bonded together, then the blanket structure is stable and durable, but the blanket loses flexibility and cannot conform to patient's body contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible blanket construction that can conform to body contours while maintaining structural integrity. The blanket is designed to drape naturally over the patient's body, making good contact with the sides to maximize surface area for heat transfer, rather than using rigid multiple-layer bonded constructions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heating blanket is held in place by gravity when the patient is positioned horizontally, then the blanket remains stable, but the blanket cannot be effectively positioned when the patient is upright or in variable positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by incorporating elastic properties into the heating element and shell construction. This allows the blanket to dynamically adapt to different patient positions (horizontal, upright, variable) while maintaining stable contact through elastic recovery, rather than relying solely on gravity for positioning stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive tape or hook-and-loop straps are used to secure the heating blanket to the patient, then the blanket is held firmly in place, but the blanket loses flexibility and conformability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using an elastic shell construction that can be secured to the patient while maintaining flexibility. The shell incorporates elastic properties that allow the blanket to conform to body contours even when secured, avoiding the use of rigid adhesive tapes or hook-and-loop straps that would restrict flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible design enhances heat transfer by conforming to the patient's body contours, maintaining optimal temperature and preventing heat loss, even when the patient's position changes, thus effectively preventing hypothermia.
Implementation Method 1
The heating blanket may include a heating element having elastic properties
Implementation Method 2
maximize the surface area available for conductive heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a heating blanket. The heating blanket may include a heating element and a shell covering the heating element. The heating element has elastic properties and is disposed in the shape of a sheet. The shell may have one or more sheets of polymeric material bonded together adjacent a perimeter of the heating element. One or more wires having malleable properties are secured within the shell. The wires allow the heating blanket to be secured to a patient.