Bag for heating liquids and means for heating the bag
Inventors
FUERNROHR MARKUS, null • Fürnrohr, Markus • Theilacker-Beck, Wolfgang • Theilacker, Matthias
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7289724-B2
Publication Date
2007-10-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention proposes a liquid heating bag 1, in particular, a blood heating bag and a bag heating means 30 for heating liquids, e.g. cooled blood, which flow through the liquid heating bag 1, to a temperature suitable for transfusion. The liquid heating bag 1 has a flow volume 3 formed by at least two flexible plastic foils which are connected to each other at four delimiting edges 5, 6, 7, 8, wherein the flow volume 3 has a flat, substantially trapezoidal basic shape which is delimited by the delimiting edges 5, 6, 7, 8. An inlet line opening 12 and an outlet line opening 14 are disposed on a first delimiting edge 5, and an insertion tab 15 is disposed on a second delimiting edge 6 opposite to the first delimiting edge 5. The liquid heating bag 1 has a liquid flow guiding seam 20 which is formed by connecting the plastic foils in the region of the flow volume 3. The insertion tab 15 is formed as part of the plastic foils, which projects past the second delimiting edge 6.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a liquid heating bag made from at least two flexible plastic foils connected to each other at edges to form a flat, substantially trapezoidal flow volume between the edges. The bag includes an inlet line opening and an outlet line opening disposed at a first edge and in fluid communication with the flow volume. A liquid flow guiding seam is formed by a connection between the plastic foils and disposed within the flow volume.
The bag further includes an insertion tab formed as part of the plastic foils, disposed on a second edge opposite the first edge and projecting past the second edge. Third and fourth edges of the bag are longer than the first and second edges, and the guiding seam extends from the first edge and is generally parallel to the third edge to divide the flow volume into upper and lower sections. The upper and lower sections are in fluid communication with one another proximate the second edge, with the inlet line opening in fluid communication with the upper section and the outlet line opening in fluid communication with the lower section.
In addition, a bag heating means is provided with two substantially rectangular heat exchange plates disposed opposing one another with a gap therebetween suitable for receiving the liquid heating bag. Mounting means fastened to each of the plates supports the plates such that the gap is open along an opposite long edge and opposing short edge of the plastic, and the mounting means is resilient so a pressure change in the liquid heating bag disposed within the gap changes a gap width. A pressure increase widens the gap width, and a pressure reduction reduces the gap width.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims centered on a liquid heating bag with a substantially trapezoidal flow volume and a liquid flow guiding seam, with a second independent claim additionally defining a bag heating arrangement using opposing heat exchange plates and resilient, pressure-responsive gap width changes. Across the independent claims, the key inventive features are the trapezoidal flow volume geometry, the inlet/outlet fluid communication via upper and lower sections, the internal seam dividing the flow volume, the insertion tab, and the resiliently adjustable plate gap behavior.
Substantially trapezoidal flow volume with inlet/outlet on a first edge
A liquid heating bag comprising at least two flexible plastic foils connected to each other at edges to form a flat, substantially trapezoidal flow volume between the edges, with an inlet line opening and an outlet line opening disposed at a first edge and in fluid communication with the flow volume.
Liquid flow guiding seam dividing upper and lower sections
A liquid heating bag comprising a liquid flow guiding seam formed by a connection between the plastic foils and disposed within the flow volume, wherein third and fourth edges of the bag are longer than the first and second edges and the guiding seam extends from the first edge and is generally parallel to the third edge to divide the flow volume into upper and lower sections, with the upper and lower sections being in fluid communication with one another proximate the second edge, the inlet line opening being in fluid communication with the upper section and the outlet line opening being in fluid communication with the lower section.
Insertion tab formed as part of the plastic foils on a second edge
A liquid heating bag comprising an insertion tab, formed as part of the plastic foils, disposed on a second edge opposite the first edge and projecting past the second edge.
Opposing heat exchange plates with resiliently variable gap width
A liquid heating bag comprising two substantially rectangular heat exchange plates disposed opposing one another with a gap therebetween suitable for receiving the liquid heating bag, and mounting means fastened to each of the plates along a long edge thereof for supporting the plates with the gap being open along an opposite long edge and opposing short edge of the plastic, the mounting means being resilient in order that a pressure change in the liquid heating bag disposed within the gap changes a gap width, a pressure increase widening the gap width and a pressure reduction reducing the gap width.
Together, the independent claims cover a liquid heating bag geometry in which a liquid flow guiding seam divides a substantially trapezoidal flow volume into upper and lower sections so the inlet and outlet are placed in fluid communication with respective sections near a second edge, and an insertion tab projecting past the second edge is formed as part of the same flexible plastic foils. The second independent claim further specifies a heating arrangement using opposing rectangular heat exchange plates with a gap that changes width resiliently in response to pressure in the bag.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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