WO2008058638A1 - Heating blanket with sensors - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating blanket (100) in which, between an inner layer (15) and an outer layer (16), there is a middle layer and/or a gap (13) through which warm air is passed, conducted and/or transported. To make available a heating blanket (100) which is used in combination with sensors, for example during an operation, and in which the application and removal of individual sensors to and from the body is not done separately from the placement and removal of the heating blanket (100), the invention proposes that the inner layer and/or the middle layer and/or the gap (13) are provided with sensors (18, 19, 20, 25).

Description

 Warming blanket with sensors

Technical area

The invention relates to a thermal blank, in which between an inner layer and an outer layer, an intermediate layer and / or a space for Durchiassen, for Durchieiten, for flowing through and / or transporting of heat air is arranged.

State of the art

Thermal blankets of the type mentioned initially serve for tempering a body covered with the thermal blanket by supplying heat air.

Such thermal blankets are used in particular, but not exclusively, in the medical field to prevent heat loss of persons to be treated, whose independent heat regulation is disturbed or temporarily suspended.

The thermal blanket is placed over the patient's body or under the patient, and the heat conducted through at least one supply tube exits in a planar manner on the underside of the thermal blanket facing the body in order to heat the body. The underside can be made of polyester.

In this case, it is also possible for the inner layer, which faces the body and is permeable to the hot air, to be separated from the body, which is permeable to the warm air. turned, for the hot air substantially impermeable outer layer formed an intermediate layer or space may be arranged.

This intermediate layer of the thermal blanket can be filled with a material that is not only permeable to air, but also ensures pressure-relieving storage, for example, of anesthetized patients.

The heat blankets of the prior art are thus placed with their body-facing inner layer under the body and / or on the body of the patient. These not only isolate it but also convectively heat it, i. with outgoing hot air. Due to the convective heat supply, cooling or undercooling of a body to be o perated is prevented in a reliable manner.

At the same time, patients must be continuously monitored, especially during surgery. The monitoring extends, for example, to cardiac functions of respiration, body temperature and the like. The like. This monitoring is usually done by sensors that are attached to the body.

However, attaching the sensors to the body and removing them from the body can be very labor-intensive and time-consuming for medical personnel. This is especially the case when the patient has to undergo multiple surgeries. In this case, the sensors must be repeatedly attached to or removed from the body. This repeated procedure of applying and removing sensors often also causes discomfort to patients, especially infants and toddlers, since the application and removal of the sensors may be associated with skin irritation. In addition, the invention provides for the use of the thermal blanket in the medical field, wherein according to a further advantageous embodiment, the thermal blanket is used in surgical operations.

Presentation of the invention, object. Solution, benefits

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a thermal blank, which is used in conjunction with sensors, for example during an operation, to provide, in the attachment and removal of individual sensors on or from the body separately from the placement and removal the thermal blanket be avoided.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

The core idea of the invention is to integrate sensors, in particular for detecting a vital function, from the outset into the thermal blanket by providing the inner layer or also the intermediate layer with sensors. The sensors may, for example, be sensors for detecting the skin resistance, the respiration, the pulse, the cardiac currents or the body temperature. The fact that the thermal blankets are used as heat pads on the body, it is ensured that the sensors remain sufficiently in the body contact. The application of the thermal blanket on the body also ensures that the sensors remain fixed in the correct position on the body.

The advantage of the invention is the fact that the application or removal of the sensors on or from the body is accompanied by the application or removal of the heat blanket. In this way, the procedure of separately mounting and removing the sensors is avoided.

In principle, sensors can be sensors which can be fixed to thermal blankets. It should be noted that common Thermal ceilings of the type mentioned by the following structure:

as inner layer at least one microfiber layer which is permeable to air, d. H. is designed for the warm air permeable;

as intermediate layer, at least one spacer / storage fabric or knitted fabric, in particular at least one polyester fabric, or knitted fabric, for passing through, for passing through, for flowing through and / or for transporting the hot air; and

as outer layer or outer layer at least one textile layer which is impermeable to air, i. is designed for the hot air impermeable.

Accordingly, the fixing agents must be selected so that sensors can be fixed to thermal blankets having this specific structure and these specific materials.

It is an advantage that the sensors are washable.

The sensors should therefore consist of a material which is insensitive to common textile care or detergent. This takes into account the fact that thermal blankets are often subjected to cleaning.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the sensors are made of a material that is resistant to body perspiration and body evaporation. In this way, the functionality of the sensor is preserved, even if body odors or perspiration occur during an operation. It should also be ensured that the sensors are arranged to insulate each other in a heat-insulating manner. This is particularly desirable in temperature sensors, since in this way a mutual influence of the sensors is prevented.

It is also advantageous that the sensors are made of a material that can be subjected to sterilization and / or disinfection.

The sensors can be fixed on the inner layer and / or inside the inner layer via a holder. The brackets may be, for example, snap fasteners, Velcro fasteners or connectors, which are incorporated in the thermal blanket. Such holders can also be provided for the sensors which are fixed in the intermediate layer and / or within the intermediate layer.

A practicable variant of the invention provides that the sensors are woven or sewn into the inner and / or intermediate layer. In this variant of the sensors in the thermal blanket, the sensors are held for example by transverse and / or longitudinal threads.

Preferably, the contacting and the connection of the sensors with each other via electrically conductive yarns and / or threads is given. Also, electrical conductors may be integrated as threads and / or yarns in the inner layer and / or in the gap to provide the necessary electrical connections between the sensors. It has been shown that the wiring between the sensors can be made such that conductor threads are mounted in textile threads of the thermal blanket. The conductor threads can be woven into the thermal blanket. Short description of the drawing

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. It shows in a schematic representation:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a thermal blanket gem. of the present invention

Best way to carry out the invention

In Fig. 1, a heat blanket according to the invention is shown, which is provided with the reference numeral 100.

The thermal blanket 100 has a terminal 10 for an air hose 12 through which warm air may be supplied from a hot air source 14, such as from a powered heating fan. The hot air is then distributed in the intermediate space 13 of the double-layered thermal blank 100 between the two layers, i. between the inner layer 15 and the outer layer 16. In this case, the intermediate space 13 is bounded by the inner layer 15 and by the outer layer 16.

The outer layer 16 of the thermal blanket 100 is in this case formed impermeable to air, to which end the outer layer 16 essentially consists of a coating of polyurethane. In principle, it is of course possible that any waterproof and airtight tissue serves as a coating. In contrast, the inner layer 15 of the thermal blanket is permeable to air so far as this inner layer 15 has the finest, especially pore-like openings for the outflow of hot air supplied. In principle, any air-permeable inner layer of fabric, knitted fabric and knitted fabric can be used. The aforementioned technical measures mean that the hot air can emerge substantially exclusively from the inner layer 15, the when using the thermal blanket 100 faces the body of a patient. In this way, the thermal blanket 100 at the same time provide insulation against heat loss and in addition to an active heat.

In principle, the outer layer 16 may also consist of a rubberized material. It is conceivable that the material is a polyurethane coating. The air hose 12, which supplies the warm blank 100, the warm air is air-permeable fabric, wherein the inner side of the air hose 12 can be reinforced with knitted fabric. This ensures that no hot air can escape from the air hose 12 and the hot air flowing through the air hose 12 is forwarded even with existing kinks of the air hose 12. In the space 13 and knitted fabric (Lagergewirk) can be integrated. The knitted fabric has a depressurizing effect, d. H. It can counteract pressure loads, for example, the result of the fact that self-weight surgical equipment such as hoses during surgery on body parts. As material for the bottom fabric or knit polyester may be provided.

In addition, the thermal blank 100 is provided on the inner layer 15 with sensors 18, 19, 20, 25. The sensors serve, for example, for monitoring respiration or body temperature. The sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 are hard-wired and can be terminated via the electrical line 22 to a remote control unit 23. The remote control unit 23 can represent, for example via the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 detected or measured potentials in the form of signals. The thermal blank 100 may also have holders 24 which serve for the fixation of the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 on the thermal blanket 100. The holder 24 may be, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener in which one band is provided with a coating of small barbs and the other is provided with a fluffy layer, the fluffy layer contacting attached to the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 and the belt with the pad from barbs on the inner layer 15 may be attached.

It is also conceivable that the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 are provided with material and can thereby be sewn to the inner layer 15. It is also possible that the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 are bonded to the inner layer 15 of the thermal blanket 100. In addition, line-free connections for the communication between the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 are used. The intermediate space 13 can also accommodate sensors which are also fixed here by suitable means in the intermediate layer. It should be noted that the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 are washable and made of a material resistant to body perspiration and body perspiration. In addition, the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 should be arranged to each other heat-insulating. The electrical conductors 21 between the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 are integrated as threads and / or yarns in the inner layer 15 and in the intermediate space 13.

These threads or yarns can be mounted directly in textile threads of the blanket 100. In order to ensure the fixation of the sensors 18, 19, 20, 25 on the thermal blank 100, further holders may be considered. Apart from hook-and-loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners and button fasteners are also conceivable. In order to be able to subject the heat blanket 100 to a cleaning, electrical conductors 21 or the electrical leads 22 are provided with a protective layer which protects against water.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 heat blanket

10 connection

12 air hose

13 gap

14 hot air source

15 inner layer

16 outer layer

18, 19, 20 sensors

21 electrical conductors

22 lines

23 remote control unit

24 bracket

25 sensors

Claims

claims 1. thermal blanket (100), in which between an inner layer (15) and an outer layer (16) an intermediate layer and / or an intermediate space (13) for transmitting, for passing, for flowing through and / or transporting of heat air is arranged , characterized in that the inner layer and / or intermediate layer and / or the intermediate space (13) with sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) are provided. 2. thermal blanket according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) are washable. 3. thermal blanket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) are made of a material which is resistant to body perspiration and body vapors. 4. thermal blanket according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) are arranged to each other heat-insulating. 5. thermal blanket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) are made of a material that a sterilization and / or disinfection is unterziehbar. 6. thermal blanket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) on the in- nenschicht (15) and / or within the inner layer (15) via a holder (24) are fixed. 7. thermal blanket according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) in the intermediate layer or within the intermediate space (13) via the holder (24) are fixed. 8. thermal blanket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) sewn and / or glued and / or applied by coating. 9. thermal blanket according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) in the inner and / or intermediate layer or the intermediate space (13) are woven or sewn. 10. thermal blanket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacting and the connection düng of the sensors (18, 19, 20, 25) with each other via electrically conductive yarns and / or threads is given. 11. Thermal blanket according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that electrical conductors (21) as threads and / or game in the inner layer (15) and / or in the intermediate layer and / or in the intermediate space (13) are integrated. 12. Thermal blanket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiring between the senors (18, 19, 20, 25) is given by conductor threads which are mounted in textile threads of the thermal blanket (100). 13. Heat blanket according to one of claims 10 to 12, character- ized in that the conductor threads are woven into the heat blanket (100). 14. Use of the thermal blanket (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the thermal blanket in the medical area is used. 15. Use of the thermal blanket (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the thermal blanket is used in surgical operations.