Portable fluid warming system

摘要

The present invention relates to a portable apparatus for warming biocompatible fluids for use in the treatment of injured patients and a method of heating a biocompatible fluid to treat a patient experiencing hypothermia. The present invention may be used to warm intravenous fluids for trauma resuscitation or to warm air from a ventilator circuit. The portable nature of the present invention makes it highly suitable for field applications, such as a forward surgical hospital near a combat zone.

主权项

1. A method of heating a biocompatible fluid, comprising:
providing a portable heat exchanger having a first region fluidically isolated from a second region; providing an inlet to the first region of the heat exchanger adapted for being connected to a discharge outlet of a pump that is connected at a suction inlet to a reservoir of biocompatible fluid; providing an outlet from the first region of the heat exchanger adapted for being connected for infusion into a patient; providing in the second region a metallic mesh; providing a fuel inlet to the second region of the heat exchanger adapted for being connected to a hydrocarbon fuel source, an air inlet to the second region of the heat exchanger adapted for receiving air from the atmosphere and an outlet from the second region of the heat exchanger adapted for venting combustion gases to the atmosphere; introducing a stream of the hydrocarbon fuel source through the fuel inlet into the second region of the heat exchanger while introducing a stream of air through the air inlet into the second region of the heat exchanger; igniting a mixture of the hydrocarbon fuel source and air in the second region of the heat exchanger using catalytic combustion in the heat exchanger; and transferring heat from the ignited mixture to a stream of biocompatible fluid as the stream is pumped into the first region of the heat exchanger through the inlet, out of the heat exchanger through the outlet, and into contact with a patient experiencing hypothermia.