MEDICAL APPARATUS INCLUDING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE PROTECTION
In certain embodiments, a heater assembly is provided including a water-resistant encapsulating shell. A heating element and/or other electronic components may be sealed in the encapsulating shell, and a catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition may be coated on or impregnated into an element within the shell. In some embodiments the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition may be on the interior surface of the shell. In certain embodiments, the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition includes manganese dioxide. The catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition may also include a binding material such as methyl cellulose.
1 . A medical apparatus comprising:
a water-resistant encapsulating shell;
an electrical component sealed in the encapsulating shell; and
a catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition coated on or impregnated into an element within the shell, or on the interior surface of the shell.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition comprises manganese dioxide.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition comprises at least one of silver, platinum, transition metal salts, or a combination thereof.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when the apparatus is exposed to hydrogen peroxide vapor, the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition breaks down at least some of the hydrogen peroxide vapor into water and oxygen to decrease hydrogen peroxide corrosion of the electrical component.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrical component comprises an electrically conductive fabric, film or foil.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrical component comprises polypyrrole.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating shell is hydrogen peroxide permeable.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating shell comprises urethane.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition coating or impregnation comprises a binding material.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the binding material comprises methyl cellulose.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a heater assembly, an underbody support, a patient monitor, a patient monitoring electrode, a patient monitoring sensor, or a medical apparatus having a control circuit.
12 . A heater assembly comprising:
a water-resistant encapsulating shell;
a heating element sealed in the encapsulating shell; and
a catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition coated on or impregnated into an element within the shell, or on the interior surface of the shell.
13 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition comprises manganese dioxide.
14 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the hydrogen peroxide catalyst comprises at least one of silver, platinum, transition metal salts, or a combination thereof.
15 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein when the heater assembly is exposed to hydrogen peroxide vapor, the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition breaks down at least some of the hydrogen peroxide vapor into water and oxygen to decrease hydrogen peroxide corrosion of the electrical component.
16 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the element comprises fabric, foam, film, an organic material, linen or cellulose.
17 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the electrical component comprises polypyrrole.
18 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the encapsulating shell is hydrogen peroxide permeable.
19 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the encapsulating shell comprises urethane.
20 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition coating or impregnation comprises a binding material.
21 . The heater assembly of claim 20 , wherein the binding material comprises methyl cellulose.
22 . The heater assembly of claim 12 , wherein the heater assembly is coupled to an underbody support.