Reusable warming blanket with phase change material
Inventors
Hood, Michael S. • Lachenbruch, Charles A. • BEDEL, David L. • Lawrence, Robert J. • Borgman, Darrell L. • Srivastava, Varad N. • Wiggermann, Neal • Emmons, Kirsten M. • Sauser, Frank E. • BENGEL, Holly L. • Cobler, Logan • Stevens, Kayla • Pringle, Justine • Severns, Ryan S. • Fu, Yongji
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11583437-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.
Core Innovation
The warming device includes a batting layer having a phase change material, with the batting layer having a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive is applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting layer, and the batting layer and hot melt fabric adhesive are arranged to support adhesion of additional fabric components while using the phase change material in the batting layer.
A first fabric layer is adhered to the hot melt fabric adhesive on the patient side of the batting layer, and the first fabric layer has a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer is adhered to the hot melt fabric adhesive on the upper side of the batting layer, and a second fabric layer is coupled to the insulation layer, completing a layered warming device structure using both PCM integration and bonded fabric interfaces.
The phase change material is implemented in different forms, including a microencapsulated PCM, with microencapsulated phase change materials having a melting point temperature between 38 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius and having latent heat of over 200 KJ/kg. The microencapsulated phase change materials include a polymer shell coating that maintains a solid appearance through phase changes between solid and liquid states. The disclosed constructions are reusable and launderable.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a warming device structured as a PCM-containing batting layer bonded by a hot melt fabric adhesive to a first fabric layer on the patient side and an insulation layer on the upper side, with a second fabric layer coupled to the insulation layer. Four inventive features are set out across the independent and dependent claims.
PCM batting layer with patient and upper sides
A batting layer having a phase change material, the batting layer having a patient side and an upper side.
Hot melt fabric adhesive on patient and upper sides
A hot melt fabric adhesive applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting layer.
Adhered first fabric layer with PCM integrated coating
A first fabric layer adhered to the hot melt fabric adhesive on the patient side of the batting layer, the first fabric layer having a phase change material integrated coating.
Adhered insulation layer and coupled second fabric layer
An insulation layer adhered to the hot melt fabric adhesive on the upper side of the batting layer, and a second fabric layer coupled to the insulation layer.
Microencapsulated PCM melting-point range
Microencapsulated phase change materials have a melting point temperature between 38 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius.
Microencapsulated PCM latent heat threshold
Microencapsulated phase change materials have a latent heat of over 200 KJ/kg.
Polymer shell coating for solid appearance through phase changes
The microencapsulated phase change materials include a polymer shell coating that maintains a solid appearance through phase changes between solid and liquid states.
Powder hot melt fabric adhesive
The hot melt fabric adhesive is formed from a powder.
Polyester fiber insulation layer
The insulation layer is formed from polyester fiber.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a layered warming device that uses a phase-change-material batting layer bonded by a hot melt fabric adhesive, with a PCM-integrated first fabric layer on the patient side and an adhered insulation layer supporting a coupled second fabric layer. Refinements specify microencapsulated PCM with a defined melting-point temperature range, a latent-heat threshold, and a polymer shell coating behavior, while also constraining the hot melt adhesive form and insulation material.
Stated Advantages
Improved skin heat retention versus conventional blankets, including patient skin heat retention for about 45 minutes versus about 1–2 minutes for cotton blankets.
Reusable and launderable warming device construction.
Documented Applications
Warming devices/warming blankets for patient hypothermia and normothermia.
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