Heating Blanket Cover With Disposable Access Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Forced-air warming systems for surgical patients are costly, noisy, potentially contaminating, and pose risks due to high-temperature air, while reusable heating blankets require cumbersome cleaning and may cause cross-contamination, and inserting flexible heaters into protective covers is difficult.

Innovation Solution

A flexible heating blanket cover system with bonded upper and lower sheets, featuring reversible fastening elements and lateral flaps for easy heater placement and secure positioning, allowing for efficient heat transfer and comfortable patient interface without complete enclosure, thus reducing cleaning needs and contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If forced-air warming systems are used to prevent hypothermia, then patient warmth is maintained, but the system becomes costly, noisy, and poses burn risks from high-temperature air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient body temperatureVSAvoidburn risk from high-temperature air

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible blanket as an intermediary medium between the heat source and patient. The blanket is heated to a safe temperature and then contacts the patient, eliminating direct exposure to high-temperature air that causes burns. The blanket acts as a thermal mediator that transfers heat safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the forced-air mechanical system with a direct thermal conduction system using a flexible blanket. Instead of using a blower to circulate hot air, the system uses a heated blanket that conducts heat directly to the patient through thermal contact, eliminating the harmful high-velocity hot air flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If reusable heating blankets are used, then cost is reduced, but cleaning becomes time-consuming and cross-contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereusability of heating blanketVSAvoidcleaning time between uses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heating blanket system into two separate components: a reusable heating element and a disposable protective cover. The cover can be quickly removed and discarded after use, while the expensive heating element remains reusable. This segmentation eliminates time-consuming cleaning of the entire blanket while maintaining reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a disposable protective cover that is inexpensive and single-use. Instead of cleaning and sterilizing the entire heating blanket between patients, a new disposable cover is placed over the reusable heating element, eliminating cleaning time and cross-contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If protective covers with open edges are used for inserting heaters, then heater placement is simplified, but patient comfort is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheater insertion into coverVSAvoidpatient discomfort from exposed edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-formed openings in the protective cover that are specifically designed to accommodate the heating element. These openings are created during manufacturing, allowing easy insertion of the heater without requiring manual cutting or creating large exposed edges that would discomfort the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the cover: the areas surrounding the heater openings are reinforced or finished to provide comfortable patient contact, while the opening areas are designed specifically for heater accommodation. This local differentiation maintains both ease of operation and patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 cover system provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective means to maintain patient warmth, reducing the risk of burns and contamination while simplifying the handling and reuse of heating blankets, enhancing operating room efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

electric or warm water circulating heating blankets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The warm air is distributed over the patient within the chambers of the blanket and then is exhausted onto the patient through holes in the bottom surface of the blanket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS7543344B2Cover for a heating blanket

Publication Date: 2009.06.09 AUGUSTINE TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

A cover includes an enclosure for a heating blanket which is formed between an upper sheet bonded to a lower sheet of the cover. An opening for the enclosure is formed by a panel of the upper sheet which is separable from the lower sheet.