WO2009062519A1

WO2009062519A1 - Thorax thermal blanket

Info

Publication number: WO2009062519A1
Application number: PCT/DK2008/050273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Finn Jensen
Original assignee: Finn Jensen
Priority date: 2007-11-16
Filing date: 2008-11-14
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: EP2211798A4; DK200700283U4; EP2211798A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal blanket having high insulating properties and durability. The blanket is made of nonwoven, foil, silver foil having Velcro® tapes as closing mechanism. The blanket has a bottom piece extending below the mid piece, intended to be wrapped around the crutch, preferably around the groin, of a patient. The blanket is intended for quick and effective prevention and treatment of hypothermic patients with adverse reduction of the core temperature to less than 35 degrees, for trauma patients and for common prevention of shock at accident sites. The purpose is to give rescue personnel a quick and effective material for wrapping against the cold and which increases the core temperature and therefore the chances of survival for hypothermic patients.

Description

THORAX THERMAL BLANKEET

Field of the Invention

The blanket is intended for quick and effective prevention and treatment of hypothermic patients with adverse reduction of the core temperature to less than 35 degrees, for trauma patients and for common prevention of shock at accident sites.

The purpose is to give rescue personnel a quick and effective material for wrapping against the cold and which increases the core temperature and therefore the chances of survival for hypothermic patients.

Background of the Invention

The problem with existing materials and products for the prevention of hypothermia is that they are only suitable for patients that are conscious and therefore able to aid in the provision of an effective wrapping against the cold. An example is products resembling sleeping bags made of foil.

The loose foil blanket that has been used by ambulance services in the last 5 to 20 years is very lightweight and must be prepared and shaped by the rescue personnel themselves, and this sometimes takes considerable time away from their treatment and monitoring time. The foil blanket cannot be fastened and often has a loose fit and does not provide effective heating of the patient.

For the prevention and treatment of hypothermic patients in the ambulance and rescue services, today a very lightweight foil blanket is used that needs shaping and preparation by the rescue personnel, which includes cutting the blanket and wrapping it loosely around the patient. The durability of the thin foil blanket sometimes results in laddering of the cut in the blanket, which means that the blanket looses its durability and wrapping ability.

The insulating property of the thin blanket is not sufficiently effective.

It is impossible to fasten the foil blanket for a tight fit on the patient in difficult weather conditions. The lightweight foil blanket is very fluttery and difficult to wrap around an unconscious patient in such a way that an effective wrapping against the cold is obtained. When treating or moving the patient, the blanket often loosens and the effect of the treatment is reduced. The foil blanket is difficult to work with and takes considerable time away from the treatment and monitoring of the patient.

US 5044031 discloses a passive thermal blanket intended for traumatised individuals, for instance individuals suffering from hypothermia or shock. The thermal blanket is made of a foamed plastics material. The thermal blanket comprises a body section, at least one independent side flap, one foot flap and one detachable head pocket. The thermal blanket can be manufactured at low costs but still retains sufficient body heat, both in wet and dry conditions. However, the blanket is very heavy and difficult to handle because it is made of a foamed plastics material. Moreover, it is impossible for the patient to move his arms and legs when wrapped in the thermal blanket.

Summary of the Invention

One embodiment of the invention relates to a thermal blanket having high insulating properties and durability. The blanket is made of nonwoven, foil, silver foil having Velcro tapes as closing mechanism. Other textile materials than nonwoven, e.g. woven, may be used. Other foils than silver foils, e.g. gold foil, may be used. A different closing mechanism than Velcro tape, e.g. buttons, may be used.

The advantage of using a Thorax Thermal Blanket is that it is a sturdy and durable anti-shock blanket that is easy and quick to wrap around the patient. The method of wrapping and the design of the blanket make it considerably easier to wrap around patients, especially patients that are unconscious.

The blanket can be fastened to the patient, which means that it will stay in place in difficult weather conditions or when moving the patient during transport.

The design and fastening of the blanket are also important factors making it easy for rescue personnel to treat and monitor the patient using monitoring equipment, without exposing other parts of the body.

The blanket covers the vital organs of the body core, especially around the thorax and torso which constitute the basic treatment of hypothermic patients; however, in such a way that it is still possible for the patient to move both arms and legs, making it possible for the patient still to be wrapped in the blanket even after recovering from the initial and often most severe effects of hypothermia, and in situations in which the patient may need to use his arms and legs. The blanket is durable, quick to wrap around, it can be fastened and has better insulating properties.

The durability of the blanket is increased by making a blanket of nonwoven. The design of the blanket in nonwoven provides high durability and reduces the risk of the blanket breaking during use.

The design also ensures that the blanket is not torn and does not ladder in the pieces that constitute the most significant improvement of the wrapping method.

It is more quick to use the blanket as it has been cut and manufactured specifically for the purpose.

After having pulled or rolled the blanket under the patient, blanket piece 1 is pulled over the patient's stomach and groin.

The blanket pieces covering each side of the chest, from the groin up to under the arms, are pulled over the chest by first taking the side facing the patient's left side over the chest as nos. 2 and 3. The sides of the blanket along the head are tightened from the left side as reference numbers 4 and 5, to function as a hood around the patient's head and carotid artery.

To make the blanket fit tightly around the patient and help provide an efficient treatment, Velcro tapes have been applied to the blanket as fastening mechanisms on all pieces.

The blanket is made as a disposable material as the blanket may be stained with secretion and blood from injured patients and trauma patients. As insulation foil is glued to the outside of the blanket, painted in a colour matching the rescue services and other services that may use the blanket.

Furthermore, a silver foil has been glued to the inside of the blanket facing the patient's body.

The significant improvement of the insulation of the blanket lies in the design of the blanket in e.g. nonwoven having good insulating properties and retaining the heat from the foil blanket. In test measurements the blanket retains twice the heat as compared to the traditional foil blanket known from the rescue services.

When using the old and traditional wrapping and treatment of hypothermic patients, the rescue worker must cut and shape the blanket to fit around the patient. The blanket cannot be fastened, it is very fluttery and is easily broken when cut. It can be difficult to handle and wrap correctly around the patient's thorax and torso.

When the patient has to be monitored and treated further, the blanket often loosens because it is not fastened.

The effect is lost because of the loose wrapping and it is time-consuming to shape the blanket around the patient.

Thorax Thermal Blanket is ready for use. It is durable and sufficiently sturdy to be rolled or pulled under the patient. The wrapping method is quick and efficient with the five pieces being pulled over the patient's thorax and torso. With the applied Velcro tape the blanket is fastened around the patient and will stay in place in difficult weather conditions. The design of the blanket is also an important factor making it easy to treat and monitor the patient using monitoring equipment, without exposing other parts of the body.

Heating of the patient is more effective in this wrapping method together with the improved design of the blanket with nonwoven, which in test measurements shows that it retains twice the heat as compared to the traditional foil blanket.

Thorax Thermal Blanket gives the rescue personnel a quick and effective material for the treatment of hypothermic patients, increasing the core temperature and therefore the chances of survival for hypothermic patients.

The blankets can be made in difference sizes, e.g. Kids, Junior, Adult. This increases the speed and effectiveness of the treatment of patients of any size and age. The blankets are ready for use in waterproof packaging with imprinted size and instructions for use of the blanket. Advantages of using Thorax Thermal Blanket. The blanket is quick and effective. Is durable.

Fits tightly on the patient in the event of bad weather conditions. Easy to loosen and pull on again in connection with further treatment. Retains more heat. The blanket is ready for use. Comes in various sizes. Is made as a disposable material. Increases the chances of survival for the patient.

The blanket remains fastened when moving the patient.

Frees a considerable amount of time for the rescue personnel for further treatment.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows the outside of a blanket.

Ex. is used in the defence force, (army green)

Figure 2 shows the inside of the blanket,

Figure 3 shows the piece that is pulled up between the patient's legs, Figure 4 shows the piece covering the left side of the patient,

Figure 5 shows the piece covering the left side of the patient's face,

Figure 6 shows the piece covering the right side of the patient's face,

Figure 7 shows Thorax Thermal Blanket wrapped around the patient,

Figure 8 shows possible dimensions of a blanket (outside) for an adult, Figure 9 shows possible dimensions and locations of Velcro tapes for a blanket (inside) for an adult,

Figure 10 shows possible dimensions and locations of Velcro tapes for a blanket

(outside) for an adult,

Figure 11 shows the wrapping method for the blanket, and Figure 12 shows a cut through the blanket.

If the patient is wet, the patient's clothes must be taken off. The silver side must face the patient. See wrapping method in Figure 10.

With the applied Velcro tape the blanket is fastened around the patient, and the design and fastening of the blanket are also important factors, making it easy to fasten thrust pads or to monitor by EKG electrodes, without exposing other parts of the body.

Test measurements show that the Thorax Thermal Blanket retains twice the heat as compared to the traditional foil used in the ambulance services. When the patient has been wrapped, the entire body is furthermore covered by a blanket.

Claims

1. A blanket to prevent or obviate hypothermia, said blanket being made of a material with insulating properties, comprising: - a mid central piece intended to abut against the back of a patient,

- a mid left and/or right piece extending sideways from the mid central piece, intended for being wrapped around the thorax of a patient, characterized by

- a bottom piece extending below the mid piece, intended to be wrapped around the crutch, preferably around the groin, of a patient.

2. The blanket according to claim 1, wherein the blanket also comprises a top mid piece extending above the mid central piece, intended to abut against the back of the head, possibly also the sides of the head, of a patient.

3. The blanket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blanket also comprises a top left and/or right piece extending from the top or the central mid piece, intended for being wrapped around the shoulders of a patient.

4. The blanket according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom piece is provided with a closing mechanism, preferably hook and loop tape (Velcro®), intended for interacting with a mating closing mechanism on the mid left and/or right piece.

5. The blanket according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the top left and/or right piece is provided with a closing mechanism, preferably hook and loop tape (Velcro®), intended for interacting with a mating closing mechanism on the mid left and/or right piece.

6. A use of blanket according to any of claims 3 to 5 to prevent or obviate hypothermia of a patient, wherein the use comprises the patient lying with his back on the mid central piece and preferably with his back of the head on the mid top piece, wherein the bottom piece is wrapped around the crutch of the patient, wherein the mid left and/or right piece are/is wrapped around thorax of the patient, and wherein preferably the top left and/or right piece are/is folded around the shoulder/shoulders of the patient.