Inflatable convective pad for surgery

Abstract

An inflatable convective pad for warming a person during surgery has two ends, two sides, and at least two openings, each located in an area of the pad between the two ends and between a respective side and the center of the pad. The openings, which may be in the form of slits, allow the threading of a sheet or the person's arms through the pad to restrain the arms during surgery.

1 . An inflatable convective pad, comprising:
 first and second layers joined by a seal around a common periphery to form a pneumatic structure, the first layer being air permeable;   at least one inlet port opening into the pneumatic structure; and   spaced-apart seals within the common periphery, and an arm slit in each of the spaced-apart seals,   wherein the spaced-apart seals are continuously closed,   wherein each of the spaced-apart seals establishes an elongate uninflatable area,   wherein each arm slit has a length no less than a length of an adult patient's arm.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 1 , wherein each arm slit includes an elongate line of weakness. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate line of weakness is selectively opened to define an opening through the inflatable convective pad. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 3 , further comprising an inactive area near a first end of the pad. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 4 , wherein the spaced-apart seals are generally parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more retaining flaps on the first or the second layer. 
     
     
         7 . An inflatable convective pad for warming a person, comprising:
 first and second layers joined by a seal around a common periphery to form a pneumatic structure, the first layer being air permeable;   at least one inlet port opening into the pneumatic structure, the at least one inlet port opening having an opening and a collar of stiff material surrounding the opening;   two elongate seals within the common periphery; and   two arm slits, wherein each arm slit is in a different one of the elongate seals for forming an opening in the different one of the elongate seals,   wherein each arm slit has a length no less than a length of an adult patient's arm.   
     
     
         8 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 7 , wherein each arm slit comprises a line of weakness. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 8 , further comprising an inactive area near a first end of the inflatable convective pad. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 9 , further comprising an inactive area near a second end of the inflatable convective pad, the second end opposing the first end. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate seals are continuously closed. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable convective pad of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more retaining flaps on the first or the second layer.