Patent Application
20070215634
The present invention is directed towards portable containers designed to for use in a medical pad warming unit; particularly towards an insulated, hand-held containers able to readily dispense individual medical pads, and most particularly toward portable containers which includes a heating means that is able to maintain the individual medical pads at the desired temperature without needing to return the container to the medical pad warming unit.
More than 90% of patients that are admitted to clinical care facilities have a venipuncture procedure performed. Perhaps the most frequently encountered problem associated with introducing a needle into the vein of a patient is the inability to consistently access the vein on the first attempt. This common problem is due to the wide variety of factors including; phlebotomist's experience and skill, location of the access site, the caliber and condition of the target vein, vasoconstriction related to shock, fear or low temperature.
Prior to performing venipuncture, the phlebotomist typically sterilizes the patient's skin using commercially available disposable anti-microbial medical pads or gauze. Typically these medical pads means are packaged for single use within a fluid impermeable package containing a pad pretreated with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol or betadine. These individual packages are frequently used in hospitals, physician's offices, ambulances, nursing homes, health departments, laboratories and other clinical facilities. Often these medical pads are stored together in a portable container constructed for easy transport to the patient's bedside or within a vehicle (i.e., ambulance).
Additionally, these individual packages are often stored at room temperature prior to use. As soon as the alcohol is applied to the pad, it begins to evaporate and cool the pad. The pad becomes cool to the touch and its initial cooling is enhanced by the continued evaporation of the alcohol on the skin. The application of the pad is often uncomfortable for the patient and it tends to make the veins constrict under the skin, known in the art as vasoconstriction, thereby making the drawing of blood sample more difficult.
In addition, vasoconstriction has been linked to; increased frustration and anxiety of both the patient and the clinician, increased discomfort and potential for pain, an increased number of intravenous attempts and increase in accidental needle-sticks and additional time and equipment spent on multiple attempts.
Phlebotomists have long recognized the enhanced ease of venous access in many patients by warming the intended puncture site. Current methods include warming the intended access site with a towel, alcohol pads, betadine pads or compress which is first warmed in a microwave oven, blanket, radiant warmer (i.e., heat lamp), chemical warm pack or hot water. However, the method of warming medical pads via a microwave oven, heated water source, or radiant warmer is potentially dangerous due largely to the inability to precisely control the temperature range of the water source or microwave oven, thus, increasing the risk of burning the patient. In addition, most commercially available medical pads are enclosed in foil-lined packages, presenting a fire and/or explosion hazard when placed in a microwave. Blanket warmers are considered ineffective as these large pieces of equipment are not readily portable and hospital approved for use as a blanket only, as they can produce electrical injury/shock or interference with other medical equipment. The use of room temperature medical pads after application of a chemical warm pack over the intended access site can cause a vascoconstrictive effect and require additional venipuncture attempts.
The medical warming pad apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,750 to the present inventor (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) has effectively solved these aforementioned problems utilizing a simple and elegant tabletop insulated case designed to keep medical pads warm and in a condition ready for application over a period of hours. The insulated case includes a cover, multiple internal containers and a source of controlled heat to warm the medical pads housed within the containers. A strategic analysis done by Harvard University using the insulated case disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,750 discovered an impressive time and cost savings of more than $35,000/year for a facility that performs only 10 venipuncture procedures a day. Thus, a decrease in the number of intravenous attempts is more economical due to higher patient turnover, not to mention the benefits derived from increased patient and clinician satisfaction.
A variety of methods and procedures have been described in the prior art for disposable pad or towellets heating apparatus.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,939 to Moore et al., disclose a disposable pad for controlling body temperature at selected areas for application. The pad includes a flexible fluid conduit for passage of source fluids, whether hot or cold, and a soft, absorbent, flexible covering with a surface that will neither stick nor slide when applied, for example, to an open wound. The absorbent covering may act either as an applicator of medicaments in combination with the conduit for temperature control, or it may be wetted with a sterile fluid to enhance the heat transfer relation between the conduit and area of application, or it may act as an absorbent bandage or dressing or as a surgical sponge. Unlike the present invention, this apparatus requires the manufacture of a complicated water tight, serpentine conduit layer making it expensive to produce commercially.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,593 to Behringer discloses an apparatus for the storage and dispensing of packaged adhesive bandages and similarly shaped flat packaged units. The dispenser includes a drive unit that may be powered either manually or electrically. A weight is provided to exert downward pressure against the bandages toward the cartridge floor. The apparatus requires a removable cartridge to hold the stack of packaged adhesive bandages and the weight. The apparatus also requires a roller with an elastic following finger attached to the roller so that when the roller is rotated the following finger frictionally engages the lowermost bandage in the stack.
The instant invention does not require an elastic following finger, as this is difficult to rotate as the elastic finger frictionally engages the inside surfaces of the base as well as the bandages as it completes a revolution, therefore, requiring more applied torque. The actuator of the instant invention is a simple and elegant design that eliminates the need for additional following finger, making is more economical to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,402 to Burdick et al., disclose a warmer for heating wet dressings and other articles disposed in a combined heating and storage compartment in stacked relation so that the bottommost article is dispensed through an opening is at a proper temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,396 to Sanders discloses a baby wipe warmer apparatus to receive a baby wipe box therein to heat baby wipes and includes a container heater assembly. The wipe container assembly includes a container body member with a container lid member pivotally connected thereto. The container heater assembly heats all sides of the baby wipe box. The container lid member has connector members whereupon it can be sealed to the container body member though zipper members or VELCRO fasteners. The main lid body has a central dispenser opening that can be closed by VELCRO fasteners or pen to allow dispensing of baby wipes therethrough. However, these patents fail to disclose an actuator, disposed proximate the opening, that is able to frictionally engage and urge one of wet dressings through the opening.
None of aforementioned prior art teach or suggest a portable medical pad dispenser able to store and dispense medical pads as desired. In addition, no known prior art discloses a portable medical pad dispenser further comprising a heating means for maintaining medical pads therein at the desired temperature.
The present invention makes use of a portable container adapted to store and dispense medical pads stored therein. The portable container is stored within a medical warming pad holding system. The container comprising a body with an interior cavity having an upper access opening, the interior cavity constructed and arranged to accept different types or sizes of medical pad therein. The container having a lid attached to the body for movement between a first position providing at least partial access to the interior cavity of the container in order that additional medical pads may be placed within the interior cavity, and a second position at which the lid
The opening is constructed and arranged to allow passage of at least one of the medical pads therein. Moreover, the opening can be located between either the junction of lid and one of the sidewalls, or between the junction of one of the sidewalls and the bottom panel. The container includes an actuator disposed proximate the opening and adapted to frictionally engage and urge one of the medical pads through the opening. Moreover, the container includes at least one biasing means disposed within the interior cavity and attached to the container body opposite the opening, whereby the at least one biasing means exerts a force urging the medical pads toward the actuator such that the medical pad nearest the actuator is dispensable through the opening upon operation of the actuator by the user.
In one embodiment, the interior cavity of the container can include multiple compartments formed by dividing the interior cavity. Each compartment can include different types of medical pads therein. For example, the interior can be divided into two separate compartments, wherein one compartment includes individual medical pads containing alcohol or betadine and the other compartment includes flexible bandages (i.e., BAND-AID, packaged gauze). This configuration can be particularly advantageous as the clinician will be able to first dispense an alcohol or betadine pad from the first compartment for sterilizing the patient's venous access access site, then after removal of the needle, the clinician is can dispense a flexible bandage from the second compartment for immediate application to the punctured access site.
In another embodiment, the portable container includes a heating means in thermal communication with the container body for providing heat and maintaining the medical pads at a desired temperature, while the individual container is located outside the medical warming pad case. The heating means can be either an electrically conductive wire in thermal communication with the container body, or a fluid conduit system that substantially surrounds the container body. Moreover, the power source used to operate the actuator and/or heating means can be from either conventional 110 V AC power supply or 12 V DC (e.g., battery, vehicle cigarette lighter).
Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to teach a dispenser able to dispense medical pads and/or bandages of various sizes.
Another objective of the instant invention is to teach a portable container able to accurately and reproducibly control the temperature of the medical pads housed therein.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to teach a disperser able to dispense at least two different types of individual medical pads (e.g., alcohol or betadine) and/or flexible bandages (i.e., BAND-AID).
Another objective of the instant invention is to provide a portable container that is economical to manufacture in that it has few components.
It is a further objective of the instant invention to teach a portable container able to warm the medical pads to a maximum temperature of about 131 degrees F. (55 degrees C.) and can be utilized on patients from neonates to geriatrics.
It is still another objective of the instant invention to provide one embodiment of the container having at least one easy to read LCD display able to show general operating instructions, cleaning instructions, calibration instructions, etc. In addition, the display can indicate to the user when container is empty and the “set” and “actual” temperatures of the container.
It is an additional objective of the instant invention to provide one embodiment of the container body having at least one control button or keypad.
It is a yet another objective of the instant invention to provide one embodiment of the container that includes a program or control logic able to receive inputs from the a key pad on the container body, such as the patient's age, wherein the program or control logic recommends an age appropriate temperature setting.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description, wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
a is an upper perspective view of one embodiment of the insulated portable container with attached lid in a first position thereby providing user access to the container's interior;
b is an upper perspective view of the embodiment of
Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Referring now to
The heated case 10 includes internal heat source (not shown) used to provide controlled heat to the medical pads (e.g., alcohol pads, betadine pads, flexible bandages or the like). The portable containers 12 allow the user to readily transport the warmed medical pads to various locations, (e.g., patient's room, operating room, ambulance, etc.) Preferably, the medical pads are hermetically sealed containing a disposable, absorbent material impregnated with at least one anti-microbial component (e.g., alcohol, betadine, etc.,). However, the medical pads could include flexible bandages (i.e., BAND-AID), unpackaged pads, or gauze saturated with at least one anti-microbial component.
Specifically, as shown in
The insulated lid 14 is attached to the container body for movement between a first position (
The container body further includes an opening 42 (
In the embodiment of
Examples of heat-resistant elastic material include, albeit not limited to, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicon, mixtures or combinations thereof. Moreover, the elastic material can include ridges or other means of gripping, such as knurling (not shown) that will allow the user to easily rotate the roller.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, the actuator 20 could comprise a lever that, like the roller, partially extends into the interior cavity. One end of the lever inside the cavity is coated with the heat-resistant elastic material to engage the medical pad. The user simply moves the external portion of the lever up to push the medical pads therethrough.
The embodiments of
In another embodiment shown in
All of the aforesaid embodiments herein include at least one biasing means 22 is disposed within the interior cavity. The biasing means are attached to interior surfaces of the container body opposite the opening. The biasing means exerts a force urging the medical pads toward the actuator 20 such that the medical pad nearest the actuator is dispensable through the opening upon operation of the actuator by the user. The biasing means is shown in
Further, the biasing means are attached to or retained within the container body by any means known in the art, for example, albeit not limited to, recesses, capture means, welding, adhesives, etc. The other end of the biasing means may be retained directly against the medical pads or against a follower plate 62, by any means of attachment known in the art. The follower plate is disposed within the interior cavity and sized to substantially extend the distance of the inner surface of the opposing sidewalls, such that the biasing means exerts a force between the container body and the follower plate.
In the embodiments of
Alternatively, as shown in
Conversely, it is contemplated herein that the outer periphery of the lid could include a channel constructed and arranged to receive a projection integrally connected to one pair of opposing sidewalls for translation between the first and second position along the projections (not shown). When the opening is located between the lid and the container sidewall, these embodiments allow the user to adjust the position of the lid to provide the desired sized opening to expel the medical pads housed therein.
Referring now to
In the embodiment shown in
The heating system further includes a releasable connector means 74 and a means for supplying power 76 to the electrically conductive wire 72 via the releasable connector means. In one embodiment, the means for supplying power includes a power wire connected at a first end to the releasable connector means and a second end adapted to connect to a vehicle cigarette lighter to link the heating system to an automobile's 12 Volt DC power supply, as well known in the art. This configuration is useful when the container is transported in a vehicle (i.e., ambulance) and the temperature falls below that desired, for example 90° F. The releasble connector include an transformer/adapter so that the user can place the means for supplying power into a standard AC/DC electrical outlet (not shown) when not connected to a vehicle cigarette lighter.
In addition, the means for supplying power could include comprises a battery unit 78. The battery unit could be embedded within anywhere in the container body 16 such that it is accessible to the user via an access panel (not shown) and include the appropriate batteries. Preferably, the batteries would be rechargeable by the means for supplying power 76.
In particularly preferred embodiment the heating system of
Preferably, the temperature control system includes at least one thermostat 102. The thermostat (only one is shown) is electrical communication with the means to supply power 76, switch 82, and at least one temperature setting means 84 in by electrical circuit shown in
In alternative embodiment shown in
As with the electrical heating system described with respect to
As with the previous embodiment, the temperature setting means 84 is in electrical communication with a power switch 82 and the thermostat 102. This simple configuration allows the user to set and adjust the temperature control means to the desired temperature. Preferably, the temperature control system is liked to the vehicle cigarette lighter in electrical communication with an automobile's 12 Volt DC power supply to regulate the position of temperature control valve.
As shown in
The user can change the temperature in the following manner:
wherein the LCD can prompt the user through the steps 1-4 above while indicating the “SET” temperature and the “ACTUAL” temperature.
Moreover, the program or control logic can receive inputs entered by these control buttons or keypad such as the patient's age, wherein the program or control logic shows the recommend an age appropriate temperature setting on the LCD. The program or control logic could also include a non-volatile memory means used to store and display general operating instructions, cleaning instructions, inspection and maintenance instructions or other additional instructions.
Moreover, the container can include a plurality of LCDs or different colored LEDs that indicate when the desired “set” temperature entered by the user, is reached and an “actual” temperature, as measured by the thermostat 102. For example, a green LED 130 will light when the temperature control means is on and warming to desired temperature. A yellow LED light 132 indicates the container's interior has reached the desire temperature.
Furthermore, as shown in FIGS.7 and 9, the interior cavity can include a position sensor 112 situated proximate the opening and arranged to detect the follower 62 once it reaches a location near the opening. The position sensor can be electrical communication with the control logic/program which can then display “REFILL” or the like on the LCD 110, thereby indicating to the user that container is empty or nearly empty of medical pads.
As shown in
In another embodiment shown in
Each of the compartments includes at least one biasing means 52 disposed therein, opposite the opening. This design allows the user to transport two different medical pads therein. For instance, the clinician can first dispense an appropriate anti-microbial medical pad from a first compartment of the container that is used to swab the venous access site prior to performing venipuncture. Next, the clinician can dispense a flexible bandage contained in a second compartment of container to protect the access site.
Moreover, any of aforementioned embodiments of the container can include an indention 134 molded into the container body proximate the opening for receiving the user's finger or thumb during the dispensing operation, see for example
As shown in
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings/figures. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
