Intravenous fluid warming device

Abstract

A device for warming fluids being administered intravenously to a patient. The heating assembly comprising a warming pouch is wrapped and secured around a tube through which fluid is intravenously provided to the patient.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A system for warming intravenous fluids, said system comprising: 
 a tube suitable for providing intravenous fluids to a patient, said tube having a distal end adapted for insertion into a vein of a patient;    a warming pouch comprising a flexible, air-permeable pouch wrapped around the tube;    an exothermic composition disposed within the warming pouch, said exothermic composition capable of producing heat when sufficiently agitated;    an adhesive sheet surrounding the warming pouch and extending beyond the warming pouch to provide an adhesive surface for securing the warming pouch around the tube.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the heating assembly is disposed on the tube in a longitudinal region of the tube about 1 to 6 inches from the distal end of the tube.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a drip chamber adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a fluid source and with the tube, said drip chamber disposed distally of the fluid source;    a roller clamp disposed on the tube and further disposed distally of the drip chamber;    wherein the heating assembly is disposed on the tube at a location distal to the drip chamber and roller clamp.    
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the exothermic composition comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of iron, cupric carbonate, water soluble metal halide salt, citric acid and alkali metal chlorate.  
     
     
         15 . A device for warming a fluid to be provided intravenously to a patient, said device comprising: 
 an inner container comprising a flexible, air-permeable container;    an exothermic composition disposed within the warming pouch, said exothermic composition capable of producing heat when sufficiently agitated;    an adhesive sheet, wherein the inner container is disposed on the adhesive sheet to form a heating assembly comprising the inner container disposed on the adhesive sheet;    a tube suitable for providing the fluid intravenously to the patient, wherein the fluid is disposed in the tube, and wherein the heating assembly is wrapped around the tube.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein: 
 the adhesive sheet is larger than the inner container; and    the inner container is placed on the adhesive sheet such that a portion of an adhesive on the adhesive sheet remains exposed.    
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the heating assembly is disposed on the tube in a longitudinal region of the tube about 1 to 6 inches from the distal end of the tube.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the exothermic composition comprises comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of iron, cupric carbonate, water soluble metal halide salt, citric acid and alkali metal chlorate.  
     
     
         19 . A method of warming a fluid provided intravenously to a patient, wherein the fluid is provided through a tube, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a device for warming a fluid to be provided intravenously to a patient, said device comprising: 
 an inner container comprising a flexible, air-permeable container;  
 an exothermic composition disposed within the inner container, said exothermic composition capable of producing heat when sufficiently agitated;  
 an adhesive sheet, wherein the inner container is disposed on the adhesive sheet to form a heating assembly comprising the inner container disposed on the adhesive sheet;  
 a tube suitable for providing the fluid intravenously to the patient, wherein the fluid is disposed in the tube, and wherein the heating assembly is wrapped around the tube;  
   agitating the inner container; and    allowing the heating assembly to warm the fluid passing through the tube.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of providing the device further comprises providing a device such that the heating assembly is disposed on the tube about 1 inch to about 2 inches from where the tube is percutaneously inserted into the patient.