Flexible Heating Pad Assembly for Conformal Perioperative Warming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing perioperative hypothermia, such as forced-air warming blankets, are cumbersome, immobile, and can introduce contaminants, while existing solutions fail to effectively maintain normothermia during surgical procedures, leading to increased surgical complications and healthcare costs.

Innovation Solution

A flexible heating pad assembly with deflectable tabs and slits, integrated into a temperature-management sleeve, that conforms to the patient's anatomy, providing targeted heating and mobility, and includes features like slits and cut-outs to fit uneven surfaces, combined with fluid-filled bladders for intermittent compression and electrical stimulation for improved thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If forced-air warming blankets are used to prevent perioperative hypothermia, then heating coverage is provided, but the devices are cumbersome and immobile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating coverageVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating pad uses a flexible substrate with deflectable tabs and slits that allow the pad to conform to body contours while remaining portable and mobile, replacing the rigid cumbersome structure of traditional forced-air warming blankets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The heating pad is divided into multiple deflectable tabs separated by slits, allowing each segment to independently conform to the body surface while maintaining overall flexibility and portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If forced-air warming blankets are used, then heating is provided, but they can introduce contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveheatingVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from the complex forced-air warming blanket system into a simple, contained electrical heating pad with heating traces, eliminating the need for air movement and associated contamination risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating pad acts as an intermediary between the power source and the body, providing direct thermal contact without introducing contaminants through air circulation or complex mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If existing heating solutions are used, then heating is provided, but they fail to maintain normothermia effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating provisionVSAvoidnormothermia maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating pad applies heat locally to specific anatomical areas (popliteal fossa, sole of foot) where heat loss occurs, rather than providing diffuse heating, thereby more effectively maintaining normothermia

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heating pad uses electrical resistance heating traces that can be controlled to provide precise thermal output, allowing effective maintenance of normothermia through adjustable heating parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If traditional heating pads are used, then heating is provided, but they lack flexibility to conform to anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveheatingVSAvoidanatomical conformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating pad employs a flexible substrate material with integrated deflectable tabs and slits that enable the pad to adapt to and conform to various anatomical shapes and contours

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The tab-and-slit construction divides the heating pad into multiple flexible segments that can independently adjust to match the contours of the body surface, enhancing anatomical conformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively maintains core body temperature by targeting key areas like the popliteal fossa and sole of the foot, reducing the risk of hypothermia and associated complications, while allowing patient mobility and minimizing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

one or more electrically conductive heating traces routed through the plurality of deflectable tabs and configured to radiate heat therefrom in response to electrical current flowing through the one or more heating traces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

one or more layers of heat-transfer medium in contact with a first side of the flexible heating pad

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12502308B2Flexible heating pads

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 FLOTHERM INC

AI summary

A heating pad assembly includes a flexible heating pad having a flexible substrate forming a plurality of deflectable tabs and one or more electrically conductive heating traces routed through the plurality of deflectable tabs and configured to radiate heat therefrom in response to electrical current flowing through the one or more heating traces.