System and method for in-line heating of medical fluid

Claim 1

A system for in-line heating of medical fluids supplied to a patient comprising: a heating apparatus for radiant heating by electromagnetic radiation including a source of electromagnetic radiation, a housing and a zone for heating within said housing, said housing having an inlet for entry of medical fluids into said zone while said source is generating electromagnetic radiation and an outlet for exit for medical fluids while said source is generating electromagnetic radiation for heating medical fluids flowing in a path between said inlet and outlet; a first sensor for sensing the temperature at a first location of medical fluid heated by said heating apparatus and generating a first output representative of sensed temperature, said first sensor sensing temperature by receiving optical waves of energy; a controller for receiving said first output and providing feedback control of said source to minimize differences between the sensed temperature of the medical fluid and a desired temperature for the medical fluid; and a tube for carrying medical fluid therein at least in said zone between said inlet and said outlet and defining said path, said first sensor sensing temperature by nonconductively sensing infrared energy from the medical fluid, at least some of which has passed through at least part of said tube, from at least one of said tube and the medical fluid at said first location for sensing temperature of medical fluid within said tube, said first location being within said tube, said first sensor being separate from said tube, and said tube including a thin membrane portion to allow infrared energy to pass therethrough to said first sensor.

Claim 2

A system for in-line heating of medical fluids supplied to a patient comprising: a heating apparatus for radiant heating by electromagnetic radiation including a source of electromagnetic radiation, a housing and a zone for heating within said housing, said housing having an inlet for entry of medical fluids into said zone while said source is generating electromagnetic radiation and an outlet for exit for medical fluids while said source is generating electromagnetic radiation for heating medical fluids flowing in a path between said inlet and outlet; a first sensor for sensing the temperature at a first location of medical fluid heated by said heating apparatus and generating a first output representative of sensed temperature, said first sensor sensing temperature by receiving optical waves of energy; a controller for receiving said first output and providing feedback control of said source to minimize differences between the sensed temperature of the medical fluid and a desired temperature for the medical fluid; and a tube for carrying medical fluid therein at least in said zone between said inlet and said outlet and defining said path, said first sensor sensing temperature by nonconductively sensing infrared energy from the medical fluid, at least some of which has passed through at least part of said tube, from at least one of said tube and the medical fluid at said first location for sensing temperature of medical fluid within said tube, said first location being within said tube, said first sensor being separate from said tube, and said tube including a thin membrane portion to allow infrared energy to pass therethrough to said first sensor.