Portable fluid warmer

Abstract

A device ( 10 ) for warming infusion or transfusion fluids by an exothermic reaction of a reactive liquid, including at least one reaction chamber ( 11 ) containing a trigger, and a passageway ( 12 ) extending through said reaction chamber ( 11 ) for movement of said infusion or transfusion fluids therethrough, wherein the reactive liquid is introduced into said reaction chamber ( 11 ), being at least partially evacuated of air, to thereby initiate said exothermic reaction.

1 . A device for warming infusion or transfusion fluids by an exothermic reaction of a reactive liquid, comprising:
 including at least one reaction chamber containing a trigger, and   a passageway extending through said reaction chamber for movement of said infusion or transfusion fluids therethrough,   wherein the reactive liquid is introduced into said reaction chamber, being at least partially evacuated of air, to thereby initiate said exothermic reaction.   
     
     
         2 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber is at negative atmospheric pressure prior to the introduction of the reactive liquid, or the reaction chamber is expanded as the reactive liquid is introduced to create a negative atmospheric pressure therein, to thereby assist with the flow of the reactive liquid through the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         3 . A device for warming infusion or transfusion fluids by an exothermic reaction of a reactive liquid, wherein said device comprises:
 a flexible reaction chamber, being at least partially evacuated of air and containing a trigger;   a flexible passageway extending through said reaction chamber for movement of said infusion or transfusion fluids therethrough;   a flexible secondary chamber containing said reactive liquid, the reaction and secondary chambers being separated by a frangible or removable barrier, wherein the reactive liquid may be introduced into said reaction chamber by rupturing or removing said barrier to thereby initiate said exothermic reaction; and   a compression member for compressing at least said secondary chamber to thereby compel said reactive liquid into said reaction chamber.   
     
     
         4 . The device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the compression member is a rigid rod being positioned on a side of the secondary chamber opposite said barrier. 
     
     
         5 . The device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein when said barrier is removed the rigid rod is folded over the flexible secondary chamber, or the flexible secondary barrier is rolled around said rod to thereby compel the reactive liquid into said reaction chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the rigid rod is further folded over the flexible reaction chamber or the flexible reaction chamber is rolled around said rod to thereby compel the reactive liquid through said reaction chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein when the secondary chamber is compressed by the compression member the barrier is ruptured to thereby introduce the reactive liquid into said reaction chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the barrier is removed from between the reaction and secondary chambers to permit the secondary chamber to be compressed by the compression member to thereby introducing the reactive liquid into the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the barrier is a clamp that separates the reaction and secondary chambers, whereby when the clamp is removed the reactive liquid is able to flow or be compelled into the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the device has an envelope shape and constructed from a resiliently flexible material, whereby the device can be rolled or folded to reduce the surface area in direct contact with the ambient air thereby inhibiting heat loss from the device. 
     
     
         11 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the passageway extending through the reaction chamber comprises flexible tubing having a planar serpentine configuration, or a spring, a coiled or a layered serpentine configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the trigger for initiating the exothermic reaction in said reaction chamber is located in close proximity to said barrier. 
     
     
         13 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the trigger is located throughout the reaction chamber and positioned to form a pathway or pathways through the reaction chamber to assist in the flow of the reactive liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber includes a device for aiding in the exothermic reaction or transferral of heat, including metallic strips, crystals, powder or particulate attached to the inner wall of reaction chamber, or to the outer walls of the passageway for movement of the transfusion or infusion fluid. 
     
     
         15 . A method for warming infusion or transfusion fluids to be administered to a patient, the method including the steps of:
 removing a barrier between a reaction chamber and a secondary chamber of a warming device, the reaction chamber, at least partially evacuated of air, containing a trigger, and the secondary chamber containing a reactive liquid, whereby the removal of the barrier initiates an exothermic reaction of the reactive liquid; and   moving said infusion or transfusion fluids through a passageway intersecting said reaction chamber wherein latent heat released by the reactive liquid warms said fluids passing through the passageway.