| 摘要 |
Devices, systems and methods for measuring and providing a visual indication of the temperature of a fluid prior to its delivery to a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, in an irrigation fluid delivery system having a fluid delivery tube adapted to deliver an irrigation fluid to a patient, a temperature sensing device for measuring and for providing a visual indication of the temperature of the irrigation fluid immediately prior to the fluid being delivered to a patient can be incorporated into the fluid delivery tube. In another aspect of the invention, an irrigation fluid delivery system having a heating means and a temperature sensing means can be used for heating the fluid and for measuring and providing a visual indication of the temperature of the fluid prior to the fluid entering the patient. In both the above-identified embodiment and aspect of the invention, the temperature sensing device can consist of a thermochromic liquid crystalline polymer extruded or otherwise molded into the fluid delivery tube. The polymer can be capable of exhibiting at least one color change in response to a change in temperature. In yet another aspect of the invention, the temperature of an irrigation fluid in a fluid delivery tube can be measured prior to the fluid entering the patient. A fluid delivery tube including a thermochromic liquid crystalline polymer which is molded into the fluid delivery tube and capable of exhibiting at least one color change in response to a change in temperature can be provided. The fluid can be passed through the tube and the temperature of the fluid qualitatively measured by observing the color of the thermotropic polymer in the fluid delivery tube.
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