U.S. patent application number 14/154785 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-08 for neonatal fluid tubing heater.
This patent application is currently assigned to Acacia, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Acacia, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael T. Fleury, Dongchul D. Hyun.
Application Number | 20140128845 14/154785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47021888 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140128845 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hyun; Dongchul D. ; et
al. |
May 8, 2014 |
NEONATAL FLUID TUBING HEATER
Abstract
A heating system for warming nutritional liquid fed to a neonate
or preterm infant may comprise a control module and a heater. The
heating system is portable so that the heating system is not
connected to a syringe pump or other device used to feed the
neonate. The heater of the heating system is mounted to the tube
that is used to feed the neonate. The heater is positioned along
the tube in close proximity to the neonate so that a temperature
drop of the nutritional liquid after the nutritional liquid exits
the heater and reaches the neonate is negligible. The heater raises
the temperature of the nutritional liquid to a target desired
temperature (e.g., body temperature of the mother and neonate or to
a temperature above the temperature of the mother and neonate) so
that the neonate may consume warm nutritional fluid. Once the
nutritional liquid reaches the neonate, the nutritional liquid is
at about the body temperature of the mother or neonate or at least
above room temperature.
Inventors: |
Hyun; Dongchul D.; (Brea,
CA) ; Fleury; Michael T.; (Brea, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Acacia, Inc. |
Brea |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Acacia, Inc.
Brea
CA
|
Family ID: |
47021888 |
Appl. No.: |
14/154785 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13092582 |
Apr 22, 2011 |
8663161 |
|
|
14154785 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/516 ;
604/113 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/1456 20130101;
A61M 2210/1042 20130101; A61M 5/445 20130101; A61J 15/0026
20130101; A61M 2205/8206 20130101; A61M 2240/00 20130101; A61M 5/44
20130101; A61M 2205/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/516 ;
604/113 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/44 20060101
A61M005/44 |
Claims
1. A heating system for heating neonate nutritional liquid so that
a temperature of the nutritional liquid is greater than room
temperature when providing warmed nutritional liquid to the neonate
during feeding, the heater system comprising: a heater including: a
first heating portion having a first groove for receiving a tube; a
first handle fixed to the first heating portion; a second portion
disposable over the first groove; a second handle fixed to the
second portion; wherein the first heating portion and handle are
pivotally traverseable to the second portion and handle between
open and closed positions, in the open position, the neonate
feeding tube may be inserted or removed from the first groove, in
the closed position, the second portion covers the first groove and
the first heating portion warms the neonate nutritional liquid that
flows through the tube.
2. The heating system of claim 1 wherein the second portion has a
heating portion and a second groove for receiving the tube.
3. The heating system of claim 2 wherein the first and second
grooves collectively have a snug fit around the tube for
transferring heat through the neonate feeding tube to the neonate
nutritional liquid flowing through the neonate feeding tube.
4. The heating system of claim 2 wherein the first heating portion
comprises a first heater and a first heat conductor, the first
groove formed in the first heat conductor, the second heating
portion comprises a second heater and a second heat conductor, the
second groove formed in the second heat conductor.
5. The heating system of claim 2 wherein the first and second
grooves are straight and have matching semi-circular cross
sectional configurations.
6. The heating system of claim 1 wherein the first and second
portions are pivotally biased to the closed position.
7. The heating system of claim 6 wherein a spring biases the first
and second portions to the closed position.
8. heating system of claim 1 further comprising a control module
including: a rechargeable battery pack for providing electricity to
the heater; a means for controlling the heater.
9. The heating system of claim 8 wherein the control module further
includes a readout for providing a temperature of the heater.
10. The heating system of claim 8 wherein the control module
further includes a battery strength indicator.
11. The heating system of claim 8 wherein the control module and
the heater are in electrical communication with each other through
a wire.
12. The heating system of claim 8 wherein the control module is
integrated into a body of the heater.
13. A system for providing warm nutritional liquid to a neonate,
the system comprising: a neonate feeding syringe fillable with the
nutritional liquid; a tube connected to the syringe and in fluid
communication with a stomach of the neonate; a syringe pump wherein
the syringe is mountable to the syringe pump which forces the
nutritional liquid from the syringe through the tube to the
neonate; a heater mounted about the tube and positioned closer to
the neonate than the syringe pump along a length of the tube, the
heater transfers heat through the tube and to the nutritional
liquid flowing through the tube to minimize heat loss from the
nutritional liquid after the nutritional liquid exits the heater
and flows toward the neonate so that the nutritional liquid is
provided to the neonate above room temperature.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the tube is an extension tube
and the heater is positioned immediately adjacent to a distal end
of the extension tube.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the heater abuts the distal end
of the extension tube.
16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a feeding tube in
fluid communication with the extension tube and the heater further
comprises: a first heating portion having a first groove for
receiving the extension tube; a first handle fixed to the first
heating portion; a second portion disposable over the first groove;
a second handle fixed to the second portion; wherein the first
heating portion and handle are pivotally traversable to the second
portion and handle between open and closed positions, in the open
position, the feeding tube or extension tube may be inserted or
removed from the first groove, in the closed position, the second
portion covers the first groove and the first heating portion warms
the neonate nutritional liquid that flows through the extension
tube or the neonate feeding tube.
17. A system for providing warm nutritional liquid to a neonate,
the system comprising: a gravity feeding syringe fillable with the
nutritional liquid; a tube connected to the syringe and in fluid
communication with a stomach of the neonate; a stand for hanging
the gravity feeding syringe above the neonate to flow the
nutritional liquid from the syringe through the tube to the
neonate; a heater mounted about the tube and positioned closer to
the neonate than the syringe pump along a length of the tube, the
heater transfers heat through the tube and to the nutritional
liquid flowing through the tube to provide warm nutritional liquid
to the neonate to minimize heat loss from the nutritional liquid
after the nutritional liquid exits the heater and flows toward the
neonate so that the nutritional liquid is provided to the neonate
above room temperature.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the tube is a feeding tube and
the heater is positioned immediately adjacent to the neonate so
that a temperature of the nutritional liquid is above room
temperature when the nutritional liquid reaches the neonate.
19. A method of feeding a neonate with warm nutritional liquid, the
method comprising the steps of: filling a neonate feeding syringe
with nutritional liquid; connecting a tube to the neonate feeding
syringe; placing the tube in fluid communication with a stomach of
the neonate; placing a heater on the tube for heating the
nutritional fluid flowing through the tube, the heater being
positioned on the tube closer to the neonate than the neonate
feeding syringe along a length of the tube; flowing the nutritional
liquid from the neonate feeding syringe, through the tube and to
the neonate; heating the nutritional liquid flowing through the
tube with the heater so that a temperature of the nutritional
liquid is above room temperature when the nutritional liquid
reaches the neonate to facilitate digestion of the warm nutritional
liquid by the neonate.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the flowing step is accomplished
with a syringe pump.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the flowing step comprising
elevating the neonate feeding syringe above the neonate to gravity
feed the neonate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a heater for
warming nutritional liquid fed to a pre-term infant.
[0004] Nutritional delivery to a preterm infant or enteral feeding
is an important part of caring for the preterm infant in
neonate-natal intensive care units. Typically, the preterm infant
is fed with a feeding tube that delivers breast milk or neonatal
formula directly into the stomach of the preterm infant. The
feeding tube is generally introduced either through the nose (i.e.,
nasally) or through the mouth (i.e., gastrically). Previously, the
breast milk or neonatal formula was fed to the neonate while the
breast milk or neonate formula was at room temperature (i.e., below
body temperature). However, studies have shown that preterm infants
respond favorably when the nutritional liquid (e.g., breast milk or
neonatal formula) coincides with the body temperature of a person
(i.e., 98.6.degree. F.). When the nutritional liquid is provided to
the preterm infant at a temperature closer to the body temperature
of a person, the preterm infant was found to digest more of the
nutritional liquid. Moreover, other studies have found that the
lower the body temperature of the preterm infant, the higher the
likelihood of mortality of the preterm infant. As such, it is
important to preserve the preterm infant's energy so that the
preterm infant does not need to divert energy away from heating and
growth to generate heat. If the nutritional liquid is fed to the
preterm infant at room temperature, the preterm infant must divert
energy that could be used for healing and growth to heat him or
herself due to digestion of the cold nutritional liquid.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to feed preterm infants .with
nutritional liquid raised to the body temperature of a person to
reduce the amount of energy diverted away from healing and growth
to digestion and heat generation.
[0005] In response, prior art devices have been introduced for
warming nutritional liquid (e.g., breast milk or neonate formula)
provided to pre-term infants. Typically, the nutritional liquid is
warmed in a neonate feeding syringe or warm nutritional liquid is
poured into the syringe and then fed to the neonate. Unfortunately,
even if the nutritional liquid is pre-warmed to body temperature,
the temperature of the nutritional liquid in the feeding syringe
decreases to room temperature during feeding due to the long
feeding time. The average feeding time is about 30 minutes to 4
hours. Heat is lost through the neonate feeding syringe. Also, heat
is lost through a tube routed to the stomach of the neonate. In
particular, as the nutritional liquid flows from the feeding
syringe to the neonate through the tube, significant heat loss is
experienced through the tubing since the nutritional liquid travels
through the tubing at a relatively slow rate. Accordingly, even if
the nutritional liquid in the neonate feeding syringe is raised to
the body temperature of the mother, such warming is rendered
ineffective since there is a significant temperature drop as the
nutritional liquid flows through the tube.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved
method and device for heating nutritional liquid fed to the
pre-term infant.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] The embodiments discussed herein address the needs discussed
above, discussed below and those that are known in the art.
[0008] A heating system that includes a heater and a control module
is disclosed herein. The control module controls operation of the
heater. The heater is used to warm the nutritional liquid (e.g.,
breast milk or neonate formula) being fed to the neonate. In
particular, the heater of the heating system is placed in close
proximity to the neonate along a length of a tube being used to
feed the neonate. Since the heater is in close proximity to the
neonate on the tube, the temperature drop due to heat loss through
the tube after the nutritional liquid is heated and travels to the
neonate is minimal. Moreover, any heat loss from the syringe to the
heater is inconsequential since the heater raises the temperature
of the nutritional liquid to the desired target temperature
immediately before the nutritional liquid reaches the neonate.
[0009] More particularly, a heating system for heating neonate
nutritional liquid so that a temperature of the nutritional liquid
is greater than room temperature when providing warmed nutritional
liquid to the neonate during feeding is disclosed. The heater
system may comprise a heater including a first heating portion
having a first groove for receiving a tube; a first handle fixed to
the first heating portion; a second portion disposable over the
first groove; and a second handle fixed to the second portion.
[0010] The first heating portion and handle may be pivotally
traverseable to the second portion and handle between open and
closed positions. In the open position, the neonate feeding tube
may be inserted or removed from the first groove. In the closed
position, the second portion covers the first groove and the first
heating portion warms the neonate nutritional liquid that flows
through the tube.
[0011] The second portion may have a heating portion and a second
groove for receiving the tube. The first and second grooves may
collectively have a snug fit around the tube for transferring heat
through the neonate feeding tube to the neonate nutritional liquid
flowing through the neonate feeding tube. The first heating portion
may comprise a first heater and a first heat conductor. The first
groove may be formed in the first heat conductor. The second
heating portion comprises a second heater and a second heat
conductor. The second groove may be formed in the second heat
conductor.
[0012] The first and second grooves may be straight and have
matching semi-circular cross sectional configurations.
[0013] The first and second portions may be pivotally biased to the
closed position. A spring may bias the first and second portions to
the closed position.
[0014] The heating system may further comprise a control module
including a rechargeable battery pack for providing electricity to
the heater and a means for controlling the heater. The control
module may include a readout for providing a temperature of the
heater. The control module may also include a battery strength
indicator. The control module and the heater may be in electrical
communication with each other through a wire. The control module
may be integrated into a body of the heater.
[0015] Additionally, a system for providing warm nutritional liquid
to a neonate is disclosed. The system may comprise a neonate
feeding syringe fillable with the nutritional liquid; a tube
connected to the syringe and in fluid communication with a stomach
of the neonate; a syringe pump wherein the syringe is mountable to
the syringe pump which forces the nutritional liquid from the
syringe through the tube to the neonate; a heater mounted about the
tube and positioned closer to the neonate than the syringe pump
along a length of the tube wherein the heater transfers heat
through the tube and to the nutritional liquid flowing through the
tube to minimize heat loss from the nutritional liquid after the
nutritional liquid exits the heater and flows toward the neonate so
that the nutritional liquid is provided to the neonate above room
temperature.
[0016] The tube may be an extension tube and the heater may be
positioned immediately adjacent to a distal end of the extension
tube. The heater may abut the distal end of the extension tube.
[0017] The system may further comprise a feeding tube in fluid
communication with the extension tube and the heater further. The
heater may comprise a first heating portion having a first groove
for receiving the extension tube; a first handle fixed to the first
heating portion; a second portion disposable over the first groove;
a second handle fixed to the second portion.
[0018] The first heating portion and handle may be pivotally
traversable to the second portion and handle between open and
closed positions. In the open position, the feeding tube or
extension tube may be inserted or removed from the first groove. In
the closed position, the second portion covers the first groove and
the first heating portion warms the neonate nutritional liquid that
flows through the extension tube or the neonate feeding tube.
[0019] Additionally, a system for providing warm nutritional liquid
to a neonate is disclosed. The system may comprise a gravity
feeding syringe fillable with the nutritional liquid; a tube
connected to the syringe and in fluid communication with a stomach
of the neonate; a stand for hanging the gravity feeding syringe
above the neonate to flow the nutritional liquid from the syringe
through the tube to the neonate; a heater mounted about the tube
and positioned closer to the neonate than the syringe pump along a
length of the tube. The heater transfers heat through the tube and
to the nutritional liquid flowing through the tube to provide warm
nutritional liquid to the neonate to minimize heat loss from the
nutritional liquid after the nutritional liquid exits the heater
and flows toward the neonate so that the nutritional liquid is
provided to the neonate above room temperature.
[0020] The tube may be a feeding tube and the heater may be
positioned immediately adjacent to the neonate so that a
temperature of the nutritional liquid is above room temperature
when the nutritional liquid reaches the neonate.
[0021] Additionally, a method of feeding a neonate with warm
nutritional liquid is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps
of filling a neonate feeding syringe with nutritional liquid;
connecting a tube to the neonate feeding syringe; placing the tube
in fluid communication with a stomach of the neonate; placing a
heater on the tube for heating the nutritional fluid flowing
through the tube, the heater being positioned on the tube closer to
the neonate than the neonate feeding syringe along a length of the
tube; flowing the nutritional liquid from the neonate feeding
syringe, through the tube and to the neonate; and heating the
nutritional liquid flowing through the tube with the heater so that
a temperature of the nutritional liquid is above room temperature
when the nutritional liquid reaches the neonate to facilitate
digestion of the warm nutritional liquid by the neonate.
[0022] The flowing step may be accomplished with a syringe pump.
The flowing step may also comprise elevating the neonate feeding
syringe above the neonate to gravity feed the neonate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a neonate being fed with a syringe pump
or alternatively with a gravity syringe and a heating system
disposed as close to the neonate so that the neonate is fed with
nutritional liquid above room temperature and preferably at normal
body temperature of a person;
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the heating system having a heater and a
control module;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of the heater shown in FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the heater shown
in FIGS. 1-3;
[0028] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the
heating system with the control module integrated into the heater;
and
[0029] FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment of the
heating system shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Referring now to the drawings, an in-line neonatal fluid
tubing heater 10, 10a is shown. A syringe 12, 12a is filled with a
nutritional liquid (e.g., breast milk or neonate formula). From the
syringe 12, 12a, the nutritional liquid flows through extension
tube 18 and feeding tube 14 or feeding tube 14a. The heater 10 is
mounted to the extension tube 18 or the feeding tube 14a to warm up
the nutritional liquid flowing through the feeding tube 14, 14a
above room temperature and preferably to about the body temperature
of a person (i.e. between about 95.degree. F. and about 99.degree.
F.). Feeding warm nutritional liquid to the neonate 16 facilitates
digestion of the nutritional liquid and preserves the neonate's
energy for healing and growth. The heater 10, 10a may be placed on
the extension tube 18 or the tube 14a as close to the neonate 16 as
possible to minimize a reduction in the temperature of the
nutritional fluid as the nutritional liquid exits the heater 10,
10a on its way to the neonate 16. As the nutritional liquid flows
through the heater 10, the heater 10 increases the temperature of
the nutritional liquid to a temperature above room temperature and
preferably to a temperature about the body temperature of the
neonate 16.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the neonate 16 may be fed nutritional
liquid with a syringe 12 and syringe pump 20 or with a gravity
syringe 12a. In relation to the syringe pump 20, the heater 10 is
shown as being attached to the extension tube 18 instead of the
feeding tube 14. However, it is also contemplated that the heater
10 may be mounted to the feeding tube 14 as close as possible to
the neonate 16 in a similar fashion as the heater 10 described in
relation to the gravity feeding method.
[0032] A heating system 22 is shown in FIG. 2. The heating system
22 may comprise the heater 10 and a control module 24. The heater
10 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIG. 3,
the heater 10 may be traversed between the open and closed
positions. The open position is shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. The
closed position is shown in dash lines in FIG. 3. The first and
second handles 26a, b and first and second heating portions 28a, b
may be biased to the closed position as shown in dash lines in FIG.
3. The handles 26a, b and heating portions 28a, b may be biased to
the closed position by way of a torsion spring 63 (see FIG. 4)
fitted within hinge 30. From the closed position shown by the dash
lines, a person may grip the first and second handles 26a, b and
apply opposing compressive forces 32a, b to overcome the biasing
force and open the first and second heating portions 28a, b. The
feeding tube 14, 14a or extension tube 18 may be fitted within the
heating portions 28a, b to heat nutritional liquid that flows
through the tubes 14, 14a, 18. When the tubes 14, 14a, 18 are
fitted within the first and second heating portions 28a, b, the
user may release the first and second handles 26a, b to clamp the
first and second heating portions 28a, b about the tube 14, 14a,
18. Each of the heating portions 28a, b may have a straight
elongated groove 34a, b that extends along the length 66 of the
heating portions 28a, b as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The heating
portions 28a, b may be sufficiently long so that heat can be
transferred into the nutritional liquid as the nutritional liquid
flows through the tube 14, 14a, 18 between an entrance 33 and exit
36 (see FIG. 2) of the heating portions 28a, b. The heater 10 may
also be in electrical communication with the control module 24
through cable 35. The control module 24 is capable of controlling
the heating portions 28a, b by way of heater controller 37. The
heater 10 and the control module 24 may be powered by rechargeable
batteries 39. The rechargeable batteries 39 may be recharged by way
of a charger connected to a battery recharge port 38. A readout 40
(e.g., digital readout) provides the temperature of the heating
portions 28a, b. Battery strength/charging indicator 42 may also be
provided on the control module 24. The control module 24 and the
heater 10 may be turned on and off by way of an on/off switch
44.
[0033] During use, the operator squeezes the handles 26a, b
together to traverse the heater 10 to the open position as shown in
FIG. 3. With the heater 10 in the open position, the operator
inserts the tube 14, 14a, 18 into the first and second grooves 34a,
b. In particular, the tube 14, 14a, 18 is inserted into one of the
grooves 34a, 34b. Once the tube 14, 14a, 18 is placed in the groove
34a or 34b, the operator releases the first and second handles 26a,
b to traverse the heater portions 28a, b to the closed position. In
the closed position, the tube 14, 14a, 18 is nested within the
grooves 34a, b. Preferably, the heater portions 28a, b contact and
press against tube 14, 14a and 18 to provide as much heat to the
nutritional liquid flowing through the tube 14, 14a, 18.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2, once the tube 14, 14a, 18 is placed
in the heater 10, the operator turns on the control module 24 by
toggling switch 44 to the on position. The user adjusts the
temperature at which the heater 10 will heat the nutritional liquid
by manipulating buttons of the heater controller 37. The operator
either increases or decreases the maximum temperature of the heater
10. The maximum temperature is shown on the readout 40. The heater
10 and the control module 24 have a feedback loop which allows the
control module 24 to control the maximum temperature of the heater
10. Additional toggle buttons and/or readouts 40 may be mounted to
the control module 24 so that the readouts 40 can also provide the
current temperature of the heater 10. Additional temperature
sensors may be mounted to the heater 10, 10a to sense a temperature
of the nutritional fluid flowing through the tube 14, 14a, 18. The
control module 24 and the heater 10 are portable in that the
control module 24 and the heater 10 may be powered by a battery
pack 39. The remaining power in the battery pack 39 may be
indicated by indicator 42. Also, the battery pack 39 may be
recharged by connecting the battery pack 39 to a battery charger by
way of recharge port 38.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exploded view of the heater 10
is shown. The first and second heating portions 28a, b may have
first and second thermistor thermocouples 46a, b. The first and
second heating portions 28a, b may additionally have first and
second heaters 48a, b. The first and second thermocouples 46a, b
and heaters 48a, b may be in electrical communication with the
control module 24. When the operator turns on the control module
24, the control module 24 may send power to the heaters 48a, b to
increase the temperature of the heating portions 50a, b. The
thermocouples 46a, b take the reading of the temperature of the
heating portions 50a, b and send that information to the control
module 24. The temperature of the heating portions 50a, b may be
displayed on the readout 40. If the thermocouple 46a, b indicates
that the heating portions 50a, b have reached the maximum
temperature set by the operator, then the control module 24
modulates the power supplied to the heaters 48a, b so that the
temperature of the heating portions 50a, b is maintained at about
the maximum temperature set by the operator.
[0036] Optionally, a temperature sensor 68 may be located adjacent
the exit 36 of the heater 10, 10a. The sensor 68 may sense a
temperature of the nutritional fluid flowing through the tube 14,
14a, 18 as the nutritional fluid flows out of the heater 10, 10a.
The temperature sensor 68 may send a signal to the control module
24 which may be programmed to modulate power to the heater 10, 10a
based on the sensed temperature of the nutritional liquid instead
of the sensed temperature of the heating element 50a, b.
[0037] First and second insulators 52a, b may be disposed between
the thermocouples 46a, b and the heating portions 50a, b. The
heating portions 50a, b may be a Kapton (i.e., polyimide) heater.
The heating portions 50a, b may have a curved semi-cylindrical
configuration as shown in FIG. 4. Heat sinks 54a, b may be disposed
on the inside of the heating portions 50a, b. The heat sinks 54a, b
may define the straight grooves 34a, b of the first and second
heating portions 28a, b. The straight grooves 34a, b may have a
semi-circular cross sectional configuration so as to receive the
tube 14, 14a and 18 which preferably has a cylindrical cross
section. The back side 56a, b may have a curved configuration and
receive the heating portions 50a, b. The heating portions 50a, b
may be mounted to the back sides 56a, b of the heating portions
50a, b through methods known in the art or developed in the
future.
[0038] The heaters 48a, b, the heat sinks 54a, b, the insulation
52a, b and the thermocouples 46a, b may all be mounted within
respective outer cases 58a, b. The outer cases 58a, b may have
first and second hinge elements 60a, b. The hinge elements 60a, b
may be nested together and held together by pin 62. A torsion
spring 63 may be mounted to the hinge elements 60a, b to bias the
heating portions 28a, b to the closed position. The outer cases
58a, b may additionally have support members 64a, b that are
received into the first and second handles 26a, b for mounting the
outer cases 50a, b to the handles 26a, b.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the
heating system 22a is shown. The heating system 22a has a heater
10a and a control module 24a which are integrated to each other. As
shown in FIG. 6, the control module 24a may be integrated into one
or both of the heating portions 28a, b. The control module 24a may
have the readout 40, indicator 42 and on/off switch 44 integrated
into the first heating portion 28a. Battery pack 39 may be
integrated into the second heating portion 28b. The electronics for
the readout 40, indicator 42 and the on/off switch 44 may be in
electrical communication with the battery pack 39. Moreover, the
battery pack 39 may be in electrical communication with the heater
48a, b and the thermocouple 46a, b mounted within the outer cases
58a, b of the first and second heating portions 28a, b. The heating
system 22a may operate in substantially the same manner as that
described in relation to heating system 22 except that the control
module 24 is integrated into the heater 10a.
[0040] The heater 10, 10a discussed herein may be placed as close
to the neonate 16 as possible. This does not mean that the heater
10, 10a is placed on the tube 14, 14, 18 away from the neonate and
the tube 14, 14a, 18 is bent so that the heater 10, 10a is located
closely adjacent to the heater 10, 10a. Instead, this means that
the distance that the nutritional liquid fluid flows from the
heater 10, 10a to the neonate 16 through the tube 14, 14a, 18 is
minimized by placing the heater 10, 10a as close to the neonate
along a length of the tube 14, 14a, 18. The extension tube 18,
feeding tube 14, 14a have a linear length. The heater 10, 10a may
be placed on the tube 14, 14a, 18 at any position along the length
of the tube 14, 14a, 18. However, as discussed herein it is
advantageous that the heater 10, 10a be placed near the neonate 16
along the length of the tube 14, 14a, 18. By placing the heater 10,
10a closer to the neonate 16 the distance that the nutritional
liquid travels to reach the neonate 16 after the nutritional liquid
exits the heater 10, 10a is minimized so that heat loss through the
tube is negligible. For example, after the nutritional liquid exits
the heater 10, 10a the heat in the nutritional liquid begins to be
transferred to the environment thereby cooling the nutritional
liquid. By the time the nutritional liquid reaches the neonate 16,
the nutritional liquid has a lower temperature than when the
nutritional liquid exited the heater 10, 10a. Nonetheless, the
nutritional liquid is above room temperature and is preferably
about equal to the body temperature of. If the temperature drop
from the heater 10, 10a to the neonate 16 is significant, it is
contemplated that the heater 10, 10a may raise the temperature of
the nutritional liquid to a temperature above the body temperature
of a human. In this manner, as the nutritional liquid flows from
the heater 10, 10a towards the neonate 16, the temperature of the
nutritional liquid cools down to about the body temperature of a
person.
[0041] The heater 10, 10a may be sufficiently long so that the
nutritional liquid can be heated to the target temperature of the
neonate. The heater 10, 10a has a particular length 66, 66a as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The nutritional liquid flows into the
heater 10, 10a from the entrance 33,33a and leaves out of exit 36,
36a. However, the actual heating portions have a length 68 (see
FIG. 4) which is shorter than the length 66 of the heater 10, 10a.
The heater 10, 10a is mounted to a heat conductor 54a, b. The heat
conductors 54a, b heat up the nutritional liquid flowing through
the tube 14, 14a, 18. A length 70 of the heat conductor 54a, b
defines a heating region which heats up the nutritional liquid
flowing through the tube 14, 14a, 18. The heating region may be
sufficiently long to gradually raise the temperature of the
nutritional liquid. If the length 70 of the heating region is too
short, then the temperature of the nutritional liquid must be
raised at a rapid rate which may require the heating portions 50a,
b to be set at a high temperature. In this case, the nutritional
liquid may be exposed to excessively high temperatures that may
destroy immunological properties of the nutritional liquid.
Accordingly, the length 70 of the heating region is sufficiently
long so that the maximum temperature of the heating portions 50a, b
may be reduced to a temperature which is safe for the nutritional
liquid and can still raise the temperature of the nutritional
liquid to the target temperature (e.g., body temperature,
temperature above body temperature) at a reasonable rate.
[0042] As discussed herein the grooves 34a, b of the heating
portions 28a, b that receive the tube 14, 14a, 18 may be straight.
However, other shapes are also contemplated. By way of example,
other shapes include but is not limited to Z shaped, L shaped, U
shaped.
[0043] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein, including various ways of flow
nutritional fluid through the tube 14, 14a, 18. Further, the
various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used
alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not
intended to be limited to the specific combination described
herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the
illustrated embodiments.
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