Intravenous fluid warming cassette system

Abstract

A fluid warming cassette system in which the cassette has a stiffening frame structure and an integral handle is provided to support a parenteral fluid container. The fluid container is desirably thin to minimize heat exchange inefficiencies. The frame structure permits the thin fluid container to be inserted into the narrow space between fixed position warming plates of a warming unit. The frame structure has a quadrilateral shape with sides and ends. The fluid container is attached, at its periphery to the sides and ends of the frame structure, within the quadrilateral shape. Part of the frame structure is formed into a handle to assist in both the insertion and removal of the cassette from a warming unit.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A cassette for conductively warming parenteral fluids in a warming unit with heater plate, the cassette comprising:
 a frame structure comprising a periphery enclosing an opening, the periphery comprising two parallel sides, a distal end and a proximal end;   a fluid container received within the opening and bonded to the two parallel sides, the fluid container comprising a fluid channel and a first port in fluid communication with the fluid channel; and   
       a first tube joined to the first port and connected to the proximal end of the frame structure. 
     
     
         13 . The cassette of claim  1 , wherein the fluid container consists of one or more polymeric materials. 
     
     
         14 . The cassette of claim  2 , further comprising a second port in fluid communication with the fluid channel; and a second tube joined to the second port and connected to the proximal end of the frame structure. 
     
     
         15 . The cassette of claim  3 , wherein the fluid container is bonded to the distal end and the proximal end of the frame structure. 
     
     
         16 . The cassette of claim  4 , wherein the frame structure further comprises at least one land. 
     
     
         17 . The cassette of claim  5 , wherein the land extends from the periphery of the frame structure perpendicular to the plane defined by the periphery. 
     
     
         18 . The cassette of claim  6 , further comprising a second land extending from the periphery of the frame structure perpendicular to the plane defined by the periphery. 
     
     
         19 . The cassette of claim  3 , wherein distal end is rounded. 
     
     
         20 . The cassette of claim  3 , wherein the proximal end comprises a handle. 
     
     
         21 . The cassette of claim  9 , wherein the handle comprises a substantially flat area. 
     
     
         22 . The cassette of claim  4 , wherein distal end is rounded.