HOSE MANAGEMENT FOR CONVECTIVE DEVICES
The present invention is directed to a convective thermal unit. The convective thermal unit has the conventional blower that directs ambient air to a heating element, the heating element heats the air and the heated air is directed into a conduit. The conduit directs the heated air into a receiving unit like a blanket positioned over a patient. A difference between the prior art and the present invention is the incorporation of a shape memory polymer and/or alloy material into the conduit to ensure the conduit does not contact the ground when the convective thermal unit is not being used or not providing the desired thermal energy.
1 . A convective thermal unit for a patient comprising: a heater unit for heating a gas; a blower unit for forcing gas to the heater unit; a conduit for delivery of the heated gas to a receiving unit; a shape memory polymer and/or alloy material connected to the conduit so the shape memory polymer and/or alloy material is effected by the thermal energy of the heated gas;
wherein when the conduit receives the heated gas having a thermal energy at or exceeds an Austenite temperature, the conduit expands to a desired length;
wherein when the conduit receives the heated gas having a thermal energy below a Martensite temperature, the conduit compresses to a predetermined length that prevents the conduit from contacting the ground.
2 . The convective thermal unit of claim 1 wherein the receiving unit is a blanket having a core for receiving a gas and a coupling port to enable the admission of gas.
3 . The convective thermal unit of claim 1 further comprising a control circuit for controlling the temperature of the heater.
4 . The convective thermal unit of claim 1 wherein the shape memory polymer and/or alloy is positioned on the exterior surface of the conduit, on the interior surface of the conduit, within the material that forms the conduit, and combinations thereof.
5 . The convective thermal unit of claim 1 wherein the conduit expands to a desired length and desired shape when the heated gas has a thermal energy at or exceeds the Austenite temperature.
6 . The convective thermal unit of claim 5 wherein the desired shape controls the turbulence in the conduit.
7 . The convective thermal unit of claim 3 further comprising a sensor that measures the thermal energy of the heated gas and transmits the measurement to the control unit.
8 . The convective thermal unit of claim 7 wherein the sensor is positioned in the conduit, in the convective thermal unit, in the receiving unit, or combinations thereof.
9 . A convective thermal unit for a patient comprising: a heater unit for heating a gas; a blower unit for forcing gas to the heater unit; a conduit for delivery of the heated gas to a receiving unit; a shape memory polymer and/or alloy material connected to the conduit so the shape memory polymer and/or alloy material is effected by the thermal energy of the heated gas;
wherein when the conduit receives the heated gas having a thermal energy at or exceeds an Austenite temperature, the conduit compresses to a predetermined length that prevents the conduit from contacting the ground and the conduit can be extended to the receiving unit.
10 . The convective thermal unit of claim 9 wherein the receiving unit is a blanket having a core for receiving a gas and a coupling port to enable the admission of gas.
11 . The convective thermal unit of claim 9 further comprising a control circuit for controlling the temperature of the heater.
12 . The convective thermal unit of claim 9 wherein the shape memory polymer and/or alloy is positioned on the exterior surface of the conduit, on the interior surface of the conduit, within the material that forms the conduit, and combinations thereof.
13 . The convective thermal unit of claim 9 wherein the conduit expands to a desired length and desired shape when the heated gas has a thermal energy at or exceeds the Austenite temperature.
14 . The convective thermal unit of claim 13 wherein the desired shape controls the turbulence in the conduit.
15 . The convective thermal unit of claim 11 further comprising a sensor that measures the thermal energy of the heated gas and transmits the measurement to the control unit.
16 . The convective thermal unit of claim 15 wherein the sensor is positioned in the conduit, in the convective thermal unit, in the receiving unit, or combinations thereof.