Method for producing a heating device having a heating profile for medical instruments and a heating device produced by that method
Inventors
Theilacker, Matthias • Theilacker-Beck, Wolfgang
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8500691-B2
Publication Date
2013-08-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for producing a temperature control means (5c, 5c) of an elastic heating profile (1), which heat and/or cool a medical instrument inserted into a cavity (3) of the heating profile (1), are provided in bores (4a, 4b, 4c, . . . ) having a bore diameter (110, 110′) which is smaller than the outer diameter (120, 120′) of the temperature control means (5c, 5e) to be inserted into the bores (4a, 4b, 4c, . . . ). A positive and/or non-positive connection between the heating profile (1) and the received temperature control means ensures good thermal contact. The production costs for an operable heating profile or temperature control means are also reduced.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method for producing a heating device which covers and controls a temperature of a medical instrument. The method produces an elastic, heat-conducting inner heating profile and a heat-insulating outer coating in a single extrusion process. The inner surface of the outer coating is connected to the outer surface of the heating profile with material fit, and the heating profile and the outer coating define at least one cavity extending along an entire axial extension and accessible from an outside for insertion of the medical instrument.
In the same heating profile, at least one axial bore extends along an entire length and has an axial bore diameter. The cavity and the axial bore are separated from each other along the entire axial length of the heating profile by a thickness of the elastic material. A temperature control element is selected such that its outer surface diameter is larger than the axial bore diameter, and after extrusion and selection the temperature control element is inserted into the axial bore to widen it.
The widened axial bore presses inwardly in a substantially radial direction against the outer surface of the temperature control element. This arrangement establishes good thermal contact between the temperature control element and the heating profile and provides a radially compressed connection for improved thermal contact and secure retention, while allowing independent machining/selection of the temperature control means and reducing production cost. Additional embodiments provide multiple bores, bores having different bore diameters, bore placement along a neutral bending line, and a cavity configured as a groove for receiving an infusion tube or a trocar.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set contains 1 independent claim, centered on a co-extruded heating profile with an elastic heat-conducting inner profile and a heat-insulating outer coating, formation of an axially extending cavity separated from an axially extending bore, and insertion of a temperature control element with an outer diameter larger than the axial bore diameter to establish good thermal contact.
Single-process co-extrusion with separated cavity and axial bore
Co-extruding, in a single extrusion process, an inner heating profile made from a heat-conducting elastic material and an outer coating made from a heat-insulating material, wherein the heating profile and the outer coating define at least one cavity extending along an entire axial extension and at least one axial bore extending along an entire length, with the cavity and the axial bore separated along an entire axial length by a thickness of the elastic material.
Selecting a temperature control element with larger outer diameter
Selecting a temperature control element having an outer surface diameter larger than the axial bore diameter.
Inserting and widening the axial bore to press radially for thermal contact
Inserting, following co-extrusion and selection, the temperature control element into the axial bore so as to widen the axial bore, wherein the widened axial bore presses inwardly in a substantially radial direction against the outer surface of the temperature control element thereby establishing good thermal contact between the temperature control element and the heating profile.
Across the independent claim, the inventive coverage is the combination of: co-extruding an elastic heat-conducting heating profile with a heat-insulating outer coating that defines an accessible axially extending cavity separated from an axially extending axial bore; selecting a temperature control element with an outer diameter larger than the axial bore diameter; and inserting the temperature control element to widen the axial bore so it presses radially against the element to establish good thermal contact. Dependent claims further refine the internal geometry, bending alignment, cavity function, and forms of temperature control means.
Stated Advantages
Establishes good thermal contact between the temperature control element and the heating profile.
Improves thermal contact and secure retention by radially compressing the temperature control element via the widened axial bore.
Enables independent machining/selection of the temperature control means.
Reduces production cost.
Documented Applications
The cavity extends for insertion of the medical instrument into the heating device.
A cavity configured as a groove for receiving an infusion tube or a trocar.
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