Warming device with provisions for deploying elements of an upper body convective apparatus and for deploying the lower portion of the warming device

Abstract

A warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting one or more convective apparatuses disposed to warm a patient perioperatively. The warming device may include an upper body convective apparatus supported on the inside of the clinical garment between its sleeves. The construction of the upper body convective apparatus includes pulling elements that draw folded components of the apparatus from sleeves of the clinical garment when pulled. The warming device may include a multi-section convective apparatus disposed longitudinally in a lower portion of the clinical garment and having separately inflatable sections, each for enabling a particular mode of warming. The construction of the multi-section convective apparatus includes a therapeutic warming section with an inlet port positioned for convenient and safe access when the lower portion of the warming device is disposed to drape over the lower limbs of a person while the therapeutic warming section is being operated.

1 . A method of stowing an upper body convective apparatus in a clinical garment, comprising:
 providing pulling elements on ends of the upper body convective apparatus;   folding the ends in respective sleeves of the clinical garment; and,   retaining the folded ends between the clinical garment and the upper body convective apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . A method of stowing an upper body convective apparatus in a clinical garment, comprising:
 folding ends of the upper body convective apparatus in respective sleeves of the clinical garment so as to align tabs on the ends for unfolding the folded ends; and,   retaining the folded ends between the clinical garment and the upper body convective apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . A method of deploying an upper body convective apparatus from a clinical garment, comprising:
 grasping a pulling element of a lateral extension of the upper body convective apparatus; and,   unfolding a folded end of the lateral extension from a sleeve of the clinical garment by pulling on the pulling element.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein pulling on the pulling element causes tie strips to separate from the end. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising securing the upper body convective apparatus to a surgical table with the tie strips. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein securing includes securing the upper body convective apparatus to a cruciate member of the surgical table. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air. 
     
     
         11 . A method of deploying an upper body convective apparatus from a clinical garment, comprising:
 grasping tabs of a lateral extension of the upper body convective apparatus; and,   unfolding a folded end of the lateral extension from a sleeve of the clinical garment by pulling on the tabs.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein pulling on the tabs causes tie strips to separate from the end. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising securing the upper body convective apparatus to a surgical table with the tie strips. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein securing includes securing the upper body convective apparatus to a cruciate member of the surgical table. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising inflating the upper body convective apparatus with warmed air.