FR2505294A1 - APPARATUS FOR HEATING OR COOLING FLUIDS AND CONTAINER FOR USE IN THIS APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO AN APPARATUS FOR HEATING OR COOLING LIQUIDS, IN PARTICULAR PHYSIOLOGICAL LIQUIDS, AND A CONTAINER FOR USE IN THIS APPARATUS. THE APPARATUS HAS TWO FLAT THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE ELEMENTS 14, 16 IN CONTACT, ON THEIR EXTERNAL SURFACE, WITH HEATING OR COOLING THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES 30 WHICH ARE IN CONTACT WITH A RADIATOR 34, 36. THE THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE ELEMENTS 14, 16 SPACE 25 IN WHICH A CONTAINER WHICH IS FORMED OF TWO SHEETS OF PLASTIC THERMOSOLDED MATERIAL BETWEEN THEM, WHICH ARE ADVANTAGEOUSLY DIVIDED INTO CHANNELS BY INTERNAL SOLDERING LINES, AND WHICH IS PROVIDED ON ITS OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES, TWO POINTS THERE ARE THREADED ARMS WITH A RIGID C STRUCTURE WHICH MAINTAIN THE EDGE BEFORE THE TENSION CONTAINER.

Description

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  The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating or cooling liquids More particularly,

  the invention relates to an apparatus for heating or

  cool physiological fluids, such as whole blood or blood plasma, or liquids, such as an analysis fluid, which are used in the treatment of such

  physiological fluids It also relates to

  containers in which such fluids can be contained or entrained in circulation in order to heat them

or cooling.

  It is frequently necessary or advisable, during medical treatment, to heat or cool

  physiological fluids or to heat or cool li-

  which are used in the treatment of such physiological fluids For example, in hemodialysis, it is common practice to heat the dialysis fluid before it enters the hemodialyzer In extracorporeal circulation surgery using a blood oxygenator , the blood that

  has been oxygenated outside the body is generally re-

  heated to a temperature close to that of the front body

  to be returned to the patient When collecting blood

  tier of donors, it is sometimes desirable to cool the blood collected before any other treatment Likewise, in plasmapheresis, during which blood is taken from a donor and separated by centrifugation or by filtration

  through a membrane in a fraction comprising the elements

  cells and a fraction comprising the plasma, it is desirable to have a heating or cooling device which can be used before the further treatment of the separate fractions. For example, if the constituent cell fraction must be returned to the patient either that it is added with a specified volume of a replacement fluid, it is advantageous to warm it to a temperature close to body temperature before such a return On the other hand, a cooling device may be necessary if the separate plasma fraction must be subjected to another treatment such as filtration or treatment with an absorbent substance It will also be recognized that, under certain circumstances, heating or

  cooling may be required on an inconsistent basis

  continuous A discontinuous heating, for example, can be used

  dried during a blood transfusion; in this case, a bag of blood that has been refrigerated is usually heated before transfusion to the patient. In other circumstances,

  it may be necessary or desirable to heat

  fage or cooling on a continuous basis In the ha-

  modialysis, for example, it is common practice to heat

  iron the dialysate before sending it through the dialyzer.

  In plasmapheresis processes, it may be desirable

  to cool either the separated cell fraction or the fraction

  tion of separate plasma on a continuous basis.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided

  an apparatus which is adapted to receive means forming a

  container in or through which a liquid to

  heating or cooling is contained or circulated

  tion, this device comprising two elements thermally

  conductors, each of these elements having first and second

  conde main thermally conductive surfaces, these elements being placed in an arrangement in which they are spaced from each other with their first surfaces

  respective main ones arranged face to face so as to

  limit between them a space for receiving said means

  forming a container, the second main thermal surface

  conductive of at least one of the elements having

  tact with it at least one thermoelectric device heated

  fant or cooling, said thermos

  being in contact with a heat sink or

diator.

  Preferably, the second main thermal surface-

  conductive of each of the thermally conductive elements

  terus has at least one thermoelectric device in contact with it and each of the thermoelectric devices is in

  contact with a respective heat sink or radiator.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an app-

  similar for heating or cooling liquids comprises container means for containing a liquid to be heated or cooled and two thermally conductive elements, each of these elements comprising first and second thermally conductive surfaces The two thermally conductive elements are placed in a available in

  which they are spaced from each other with their pre-

  main thermally conductive main surfaces

  pectives arranged face to face so as to delimit between

  they a space to receive said recess means

  pient The second main thermally conductive surface

  of each thermally conductive element comprises at

  minus a thermoelectric heating or cooling device

  being in contact with it The opposite surface of this device

  thermoelectric tif (i.e. its surface which is not in contact with the thermally conductive element) is in

  contact with a heat sink or radiator An im-

  bearing the space surrounding the thermoelectrical device

  and is generally located between the second main surface of the thermally conductive element and the heat sink is preferably filled with an insulating material. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there are provided flexible container means which are arranged so that they can be removably attached to armature means The flexible container means and the associated armature are sized to so as to be easily able to be introduced into the aforementioned space formed by the two spaced apart thermally conductive elements. The frame has a general U-shape and comprises a pair of approximately parallel arms joined by a crosspiece. shape of a flat bag with two main walls

  consist of relatively thin leaves approxi-

  matively flexible in a polymer material, comprise a pair of pockets or sheaths in decreasing section extending laterally to receive the arms of the frame The bag and the frame are dimensioned and constructed so that when the arms of the frame are introduced into the pockets of the bag, the front edge of the bag, namely the edge of the bag which extends perpendicular to the arms of the frame and which is furthest from the cross member of the frame, is stretched between them The tension is used to straighten the front edge of the bag,

  thus facilitating, for example, the introduction of the combination

  its bag and frame in the space delimited by the thermally conductive elements of the aforementioned heating and cooling apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the container means further comprises several internal channels all having approximately the same width and which are used to guide the flow of liquid through the

  bag in alternating directions In one embodiment

  even more preferred, one of the aforementioned channels is sub-

  divided into two secondary channels of reduced width.

  The characteristics will be described in more detail.

  The above ticks of the present invention as well as others with reference to the accompanying drawings Although the apparatus of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the heating or cooling of physiological fluids or with reference to the heating or cooling liquids which are used to treat such physiological fluids, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that

  the appliance can also be used for heating or reheating

cool other types of liquids.

  In the accompanying drawings given only as

example:

  Fig 1 is a partial perspective view of a-

  arrangement of thermally conductive elements and devices

  thermoelectric positive heating or cooling uti-

  read in an embodiment of the apparatus of the pre-

invention; NOT

  Fig 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment

  preferred location of the container means of the present invention which can be used in the apparatus of the present invention; Fig 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig 2; Fig 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig 2; Fig 5 is a sectional view taken along line -5 of Fig 2; Fig 6 is a top view with some parts shown in section, others shown on a larger scale and still others cut away, of an apparatus according to the present invention; Fig 7 is a perspective view showing the container means of the present invention being introduced into a cabinet which encloses the apparatus of Fig 6; Fig 8 is a greatly enlarged and partly sectioned partial view of the container means positioned in the apparatus of Fig 6;

  Fig 9 is a partial view of another embodiment of

  of the container means of the present invention

  eicrn and Fig 10 is a plan view of a shaped frame

  of U for the container means of the present invention

tion.

  In Figs 1 and 6 of the drawings to which reference is made

  ra now, there is shown a preferred embodiment

  of the apparatus designed to receive means forming recesses

  in which or through which a heating liquid

  iron or to be cooled is contained or entrained in circulation.

  The apparatus 10 comprises two thermally conductive elements.

  approximately identical contents 14, 16 The thermal element

  only conductor 14 has a first main surface

  thermally conductive blade 17 and a second main thermally conductive surface 18 In the same way, the thermally conductive element 16 comprises a first

  thermally conductive main surface 19 and a se-

  thermally conductive main surface 20 The thermally conductive elements 14, 16 have parts

  basic 14 a and respectively 16 a as well as sur-

  14 b and 16 b respectively, the raised parts having smaller surfaces than the base parts The elements 14, 16 are advantageously machined in parts

  aluminum of appropriate dimensions but must be recognized

  be born that other conductive materials could be used for this purpose In addition, it will be understood that the parts

  raised and the base parts can be manufactured se-

  facing and then fixed together, for example, with

  screw The thermally conductive elements 14, 16 are assembled

  tees in the device in a layout in which they

  are spaced from each other so that their first sur-

  respective thermally conductive faces 17, 19 are provided

  placed face to face so as to delimit between them a

  pace 25 designed to receive container means in

  which heating or cooling can be performed

  killed The elements 14, 16 are kept in the desired arrangement in which they are spaced from one another by the use of spacers 26 A rebate molding 23, preferably made of a non-conductive material of heat, surrounds the periphery of the base parts 14 a and 16 a so as to leave the first thermally conductive main surfaces completely free from any molding. Thus, as shown in FIG. of the thermally conductive element 16 and the surface 28 has

  the molding 28 are in the same plane.

  Each of the thermally conductive elements 14, 16 comprises at least one thermoelectric heating device or

  cooling attached to its second main thermal surface-

  conductive Such thermoelectric devices are

  commercially available and produced by several compa-

  American gnies and they can be obtained in a range of wattage values usable with various

  DC voltages These devices have a pair of -

  electrical conductor wires intended to be connected to the direct current source An electrical polarity allows the

  thermoelectric device to produce a cooling effect

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  while the opposite electrical polarity allows the

  device to produce a heating effect.

  In the preferred embodiment, four thermoelectric devices 30 with a nominal power of thirty watts have been attached to each thermally conductive element 14, 16 so that the space 25, the container means and the fluid contained therein or which flowed there could have been heated to a temperature of about 380 C or cooled

  at a temperature of around 2 e C The specific number of dis-

  thermoelectric positives to be used with a given device

  any depends on various factors including the di-

  mensions and the capacity of the device itself, the di-

  mensions of thermally conductive elements, the volume of space 25 and the temperature range provided for this space In a specific embodiment of the device

  according to the present invention, the elements thermally

  ductors 14, 16 have been machined into pieces of a plate

  aluminum The base parts 14 a and 16 a had a long

  width of 254 mm, a width of 127 mm and a thickness of

  6.35 mm The raised parts 14 b and 16 b had a long

  about 203.2 mm wide, 50.8 mm wide and thick

  12.7 mm soror Thermoelectric devices 30 measured

  about 38.1 mm squared by 3.18 mm thick In

  the embodiment shown in Fig 1, four dis-

  thermoelectric positive 30 were fixed on the external surface of the raised part 14 b Thus, the thermoelectric devices 30 were placed in conduction contact

  heat with the second main thermal surface-

  conductive element 18 of the thermoelectric element 14 Four thermoelectric devices 30 were fixed to the surface

  exterior of the raised part 16 b thus putting these

  positive in heat conduction contact with the se-

  main thermally conductive surface 20 of the

  thermally conductive element 16.

  The apparatus 10 further comprises a pair of wells

  heaters or radiators 34 and 36 In the embodiment

  preferred tion described here, heat sinks have the same

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  length and the same width as the base parts 14 a and

  16 a and have a thickness of about 50.8 mm The thermowells

  mics whose function is to evacuate the heat in the cooling mode and the cold in the heating mode can be made of extruded aluminum Preferably, the heat sinks include fins to increase

  their performance, fins designated by the reference 40.

  The apparatus 10 can also advantageously comprise an insulating material 45 which can, for example, be a polyurethane or polyester foam with closed cells. Other insulating materials can also be used.

  has approximately the same thickness as the raised parts

  ves 14b and 16b and covers the regions of the second thermally conductive main surfaces of the base parts

  14 a and 16 a who are not in contact with their sur-

  respective elevations 14 b, 16 b or with the molding 28 In the preferred embodiment, under examination, the molding 28 extends inward about 6.35 mm from the peripheral edges of the elements 14 and 16 Thus, the insulation used in the preferred embodiment will be constructed in the form of a rectangle measuring approximately 241.3 mm long, 114.3 mm wide and 12.7 mm thick and having an opening arranged internally about 203.2 mm long

  on 50.8 mm wide Note that the thickness of the insulation

  ment is approximately equal to the thickness of the raised parts 14 b and 16 b while the dimensions of the opening formed therein are approximately the

  same as the external dimensions of these raised parts

  vee. As shown in FIG. 6, the elements 14 and 16 preferably have recessed portions 27 formed in their first respective thermally conductive main surfaces 17 and 19. These recesses are located in the vicinity of each of the ends of the elements 14, 16. , the molding 28 also includes a pair of recesses 29 On

  will recognize that some parts of Fig 6 have been shown

  felt for clarity in relative dimensions larger than their actual dimensions For example,

  space 25, in an effective embodiment of the apparatus

  reil 10, may advantageously have a length of approximately

  1.52 mm and the arched parts 27 and 29 can advantageously-

  ment have a diameter of about 9.53 mm It will be understood that

  the space 25, the arcuate recesses 27 and the arcuate recesses

  ques 29 are arranged to receive the combined assembly

  formed by the frame and the container means represented

  felt in FIG. 2 The arcuate recesses 29 situated at the two ends of the apparatus form, in combination with the space 25 situated between them, a pair of openings 35 of generally circular shape which are intended to receive the opposite arms of the frame The recesses 29 extend over almost the entire length of the lateral parts of the molding 28 The two recesses 27 form, in combination with the space 25 located between them, another pair of openings

  circular 36 which, when the combined assembly formed by the ar-

  mature and the container means is completely intro-

  duit in space 25, are intended to receive the end caps

  input and output means forming a container Being given

  born as, as will be seen below, the inlet and outlet end pieces have a short length, the arcuate recesses 27 need only be cut over a short distance in

elements 14, 16.

  In Fig 7 to which reference will be made, there is shown a perspective view of an assembly 60 which contains, in addition

  other elements, a heating or cooling apparatus 10

  dissement On this vuel 'entry of the space 25 of the apparatus is situated approximately level with the front panel 61 of the piece of furniture The combined assembly formed by the frame and the container is represented during its introduction by a movement, from the front to the rear of the cabinet, in space 25 Part of the container means adjacent to its lower edge 112 (which is not visible in FIG. 7) has been stretched between the rigid arms 82 a, 82 b of the armature It follows that the front edge of the combined assembly

  container / frame has been straightened, making it easier to introduce

  tion of the assembly in space 25 Thus, the apparatus 10 constitutes, in this example, a permanent element of the furniture. The container means, owing to the fact that they are of relatively inexpensive manufacture, are preferably , discarded after a single use The frame can also be of the type to be discarded after use in which case the assembly

  combined frame / container is supplied as a single element

  be silent by the manufacturer or it can be designed for multiple uses In the first case, the frame can

  be constructed of rigid plastic; in the se-

  cond case, the frame is advantageously manufactured in a

  steel rod 7.94 mm in diameter or of a similar material

valente.

  The apparatus 10 can advantageously include a ventilation

  tor (not shown in the accompanying drawings)

  to blow air on heat sinks 34 and 36.

  We can understand the assembly of the apparatus 10 by

  referring to Fig 6 Elements 14 and 16, as before-

  indicated, are machined to the desired dimensions in individual pieces cut from an aluminum plate * The arcuate surfaces 27 are machined in the first thermally conductive surface of each element The thermoelectric devices are positioned on the raised parts

  14 b and 16 b If desired, a thermal grease can be placed

  conductive, commercially available, between sur-

  undersides of thermoelectric devices and

  upper surfaces of the raised parts The mold is placed

  lure 28 in the lateral parts of which the arched recesses 29 have been formed, around the elements 14, 16, as shown in FIG. 1, and it is fixed at their periphery using screws 42. isolation 45 and we fix

  heat sinks or radiators on thermal elements

  only conductive by means of a series of screws 44, three of

  these screws being placed adjacent to the thermoelectrical devices

  When the screws 44 are tightened, the thermal devices

  are trapped between the heat sinks and

  thermally conductive elements, which ensures the con-

  heat conduction required The first sur-

  thermally conductive main faces of the elements 14,

  16 are separated by a spacer 26 whose thickness

  sor corresponds to the desired width of the space 25 The dis-

  positive is assembled by means of a series of nuts and

lons crossing the molding 28.

  The electrical conductors from the thermo-

  are connected with the desired polarities of a DC voltage source. If it is desired to be able to heat or cool, as desired, suitable switching means are used in the electrical connections so that,

  when the switch is in a first position, the apparatus

  reil is connected with the appropriate polarities for re-

  and when the switch is in the other

  position, the device is connected with the appropriate polarities

required for heating.

  The container means of the present invention consist of an approximately flat bag whose

  two main walls are formed by rela-

  thin in the flexible overall of a plas-

  tick, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, chlorine

  polyvinyl rure, poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate), ny-

  lon or the like which are fixed together so that

  The means forming a container will be described below.

  take an approximately central compartment

  intended to contain a liquid and a pair of elongated decreasing section pockets or sheaths, each of said

  ducts being adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the compartment

  is lying; in these sheaths, as will be seen below, the arms app-

  approximately parallel of a reinforcement can be intro-

  duits The container includes inlet means for intro

  draw liquid into the compartment and exit means

  to draw liquid from the compartment.

  The compartment intended to contain a liquid comprises,

  preferably means for directing the current of this line.

  that goes back and forth inside compartment Ces

  flow guiding means which subdivide the compartment

  ment in a series of primary flow channels

  which preferably include a series of lines of

  fasteners arranged internally in the pre-

  quoted In the sense that it is used here, the expression "fixing line" refers to a line along which

  the two plastic sheets that form the reci-

  are fixed to each other, for example by heat sealing, gluing or ultrasonic welding, heat sealing being the preferred method. The individual fixing lines of a first series of such lines alternate with the individual fixing lines of a second series of such lines

  so as to form a series of parallel channels in the-

  which liquid can flow in a back and forth path.

  Each of the pockets or sheaths of the recess means

  pient has an inner edge which is adjacent to the la-

* corresponding compartment of the compartment intended to receive a

  quide and an outer edge which is close to the corresponding side edge of the container means or coincides with this edge A characteristic of the container means of the present invention lies in that the pockets or sheaths are of decreasing section, that is to say say that each pocket is wider at one end of the container means than it is at the other The decreasing section pockets have two advantages The first advantage is that the wide ends of the pockets facilitate the introduction of opposite arms of a frame The second advantage is that the deeper the arms of the frame are inserted into the pockets, the more the part of the container means located between the narrower parts of the pockets is stretched between

  the arms of the armature This tensioning ensures a re-

  significant straightening of the front edge so that the combined assembly formed by the bag and the frame can be easily

  inserted into a narrow receiving slot, such as the es

  space 25 of the pre-heater or cooler

previously described.

  A preferred embodiment of the container means

  pient of the present invention is constructed from two approximately identical pieces or sheets 102, 104 of polyethylene having a thickness of 0.127 mm. Each sheet 102, 104 of plastic material has an upper edge, an opposite bottom edge, two opposite side edges which connect the ends of the upper and lower edges together and a pair of flap tabs which

  protrude from the upper edge in the vicinity of each of the lateral edges The two sheets of material are aligned

  plastic and then heat-sealed them together along relatively narrow fixing lines or bands to form container means 100 which include a compartment 105 for containing a liquid and a

  pair of narrow sheaths or pockets 106, 107 For more clarity

  tee, there is shown in Fig 2 the fixing lines or strips along which the two plastic sheets are fixed together by covered strips

  of dotted lines Heat sealing along the fixing lines

  vertical 115, 116 form the sides tight to the edges

  compartment 105 while heat sealing along the horizontal fixing line 118 forms the liquid-tight bottom of the compartment Except as regards

  the presence of an inlet nozzle 121 and an outlet nozzle

  tie 122 (both of which will be described below), the thermosou-

  dage along the horizontal fixing line 117 (which comprises the protruding parts forming flap 119, 120 mentioned below) forms the top sealed against;

compartment.

  As shown in Fig 2, the sheets 102 and 104 are also heat sealed along attachment lines 124, 125 on the side edges 113 and, respectively, 114 of the container means 100 The heat sealed regions 124 and 115 form the sides of a pocket or sheath 106 on one side of the container and the heat-sealed regions 125 and 116 form the sides of a second pocket or sheath 107 on the opposite edge of the container As shown in Fig 2, in the preferred embodiment, the pockets 106, 107

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  are open at both ends and half

  circulars are cut from the plastic sheet 102 to form a notched part 129 at the top of

  each pocket or sheath We recognize that the thermo line

  welded 118 could be extended at its ends until

  join the lower ends of the thermosou-

  124, 125 if you wanted the pockets 106, 107 to have

closed ends.

  After completion of the heat sealing operation,

  holds container means 100 having an upper edge

  laughter 110, an opposite lower edge 112, two opposite lateral edges 113, 114 and two tabs 119, 120 forming a flap

  The tongue 119 surrounds an inlet nozzle 121 serving to in-

  add a liquid to compartment 105; similarly, the

  tongue 120 surrounds an outlet nozzle 122 used to support

  draw a liquid from compartment 105 The inlet 121 and outlet 122 ends are formed by short sections of polyethylene tube having an internal diameter of approximately 3 mm and an external diameter of approximately 4 mm The entry ends and outlet extend preferably over a short distance inside the compartment 105 and they may include ribbed parts 123 to ensure a firmer anchoring of the tubes which are connected to it. It is naturally necessary that the inlet and output are tightly mounted This is achieved in the

  preferred embodiment described here, by heat sealing the lan-

  outlets forming flaps of leaves 102, 104 between them and

  to the inlet and outlet tips during the as-

  semblage As an alternative or in addition to heat sealing, any adhesive may be applied to the exterior surfaces of the inlet and outlet nozzles in order to ensure the formation of the necessary liquid tight seal. Thus, the steps of heat sealing described above form and delimit compartment 105 intended to contain a liquid, the periphery of this compartment being designated by the letters a, b, c, d,

e, f, g and h in Fig 2.

  As previously indicated here, the pockets 106, 107 are provided on the sides of the container means 100 in order to receive the arms of a frame 80 which has been shown in FIG. 10 This frame which, in its simplest form, has a U-shaped configuration and can be produced, for example, in a 7.94 mm diameter steel rod bent in the required form, comprises a cross member 81 and two opposite arms 82 a, 82 b approximately parallel The pockets 106, 107 have a decreasing section, that is to say that their

  width is greater at the top of the recess means

  pient that at their base In Fig 2 to which we will refer,

  we can see that the outer edge 131 of the pocket 106 wedges

  cide with the inner edge of the heat-sealed line 124 and is formed by this edge; in the same way, the outer edge 132 of the pocket 107 coincides with the inner edge of the heat-sealed line 125 and is formed by this edge. To obtain the advantages of the present invention, the pockets 106 and 107 must have outer edges 131 and , respectively, 132 which gradually approach the interior En

  in other words, the decreasing cross-section pockets

  desired health conditions are characterized by the fact that the distance in a straight line, measured along the upper edge 110, from point x to point y, between the outer edge 131 of the pocket 106 and the outer edge 132 of the pocket 107 is greater

  that the distance in a straight line measured along the lower edge

  rieur 112, from point x 'to point y', between the outer edge

  131 of the pocket 106 and the outer edge 132 of the pocket 107.

  When a liquid has to flow through the container means 100, for example when the liquid has to

  be heated or cooled on a continuous basis, it is preferred-

  maple, to increase the yield and minimize shunting, to provide means for guiding the liquid so that it flows back and forth in the compartment 105 These means

  flow guides preferably include more

  several fixing lines or strips 135 to 144 arranged inside with respect to the sides 115, 116 of the compartment and which delimit several primary channels 155 to 164

  in which the liquid can flow The fixing lines

  tion can be formed by any of the above methods of bonding, ultrasonic welding or heat sealing, the latter method being preferred. The fixing lines at 144 must be wide enough to maintain their integrity when the container contains liquid. However, if the form the fixing lines wider than necessary to guarantee their resistance and their integrity, this simply results in an undesirable reduction

  and useless of the liquid capacity of compartment 105.

  It has been found that a width of about 3.18 mm is suitable for fixing lines 135 to 144. In the preferred embodiment described here, the fixing lines 135 to 144 are all 3.18 mm wide and are spaced apart. equal center-to-center distances inside compartment 105

  to form the series of primary channels 156 to 164 of flow-

  liquid All channels 156 to 164 have approximate-

  the same width which, in the embodiment described here, is approximately 19.05 mm The channel 155 (delimited by the fixing lines 115 and 135) and the channel 165 (delimited by the fixing lines 116 and 144 ) are slightly wider than channels 156 to 164; more precisely, in the preferred embodiment, the channels 155 and 156 are approximately, 4 mm wide. It will be noted that it is not essential that the channels 155 and 165 be wider than the channels 156 to 164; they could also be the same width or be

narrower.

  The fixing lines 135 to 144 have a length which is greater than 50% of the distance between the upper edges and

  bottom of container; preferably their length is su-

  less than 80% of this distance from the top to the base.

  To prevent unwanted liquid shunting on the orn-

  inlet 121 and outlet 122, it is necessary

  make sure that the fixing line disposed internally closest to the inlet orifice and that the fixing line arranged internally closest to the outlet orifice each form a liquid tight junction at this end edge of the means forming container where the inlet and outlet are located. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the fixing line 144 forms a

  liquid tight connection with the horizontal fixing line

  zontale 117 just inside the point where the inlet orifice 121 is disposed at the top of the container means and the fixing line 135 forms a liquid-tight junction

  also with the fixing line 117 immediately on the

  tior of the point where the outlet orifice 122 is disposed.

  Note that the fixing lines 136, 138, 141 and 143 are a little closer to the lower heat-sealed line 118 than to the upper heat-sealed line 117 while the fixing lines 137, 139, 140 and 142 are a little closer of the upper heat-sealed line 117 than of the

  lower heat-sealed line 118 Although we did not

  presented such an arrangement in FIG. 2, the ends of lines 136, 138, 141 and 143 could be extended so as to form liquid-tight junctions with the heat-sealed line 118 and the ends of lines 137,

  39, 140 and 142 could be extended to form

  sea of liquid tight junctions with the therm line

  mosoudée 117 When the lines are thus extended, the liquid must flow to the end of a channel

  liquid flow before entering the flow channel

  immediately adjacent liquid element With the arrangement shown in Fig 2, in which the lines 136, 138, 141 and 143 are spaced about 2.38 mm from the edge of the heat-sealed line 118 and the lines 137, 139, 140 and 142 are spaced the same distance from the heat-sealed line 117, the liquid flows mainly downwards in one channel and upwards in the adjacent channel In addition, it

  there are secondary flow paths available to the

  straight o the lower ends of the fixing lines 136, 138, 141 and 143 are spaced from the heat-sealed line 118 and at the places where the lower ends of the lines

  137,138,140 and 142 are spaced from the ther-

  mosoudée 117 In Fig 2, the thick arrows indicate the primary flow paths and the thin arrows indicate the secondary flow paths This arrangement of fixing lines to form primary and secondary flow paths is particularly advantageous, for example , as blood flows through the bag, as this minimizes the areas in which blood can stagnate.

  According to another characteristic of the present invention

  tion, one of the primary flow channels delimited by

  a selected pair of internally available attachment lines

  with a reduced width obtained by interposing between these lines an additional fixing line This line of

  additional fastening must be attached to either the upper edge

  either at the bottom edge of the container means to form a liquid tight junction In the example shown in Fig 2, an additional fastening line 150 extends to the heat-sealed line 118 at the base of the

  bag to form a liquid tight junction at this point.

  It will be understood that the liquid flow channel 160 delicates

  mite by fixing lines 139, 140 east, due to the in-

  terposition of the additional fixing line 150, divi-

  dried over almost its entire length in two water channels

  secondary flows 160 a, 160 b of reduced width The container means 100 thus comprise eight primary flow channels (156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163 and 164) all having approximately the same width and two

  secondary flow channels (160 a, 160 b) of width

  pick With this arrangement, the flow speed of the liquid

  which in the narrower secondary channels 160 a, 160 b is significantly greater than the flow velocity in

  the wider primary channels This increase in vi-

  flow size in the narrower canals is advantageous

  gose because it ensures a better mixing of the liquid and tends to increase the efficiency of the heating or cooling operation As shown in Fig 2, the two narrower channels formed by the interposition to the line of

  fixing 150 are preferably arranged in the center of the

part 105.

  In case only a pair of 1 9 must be formed

  narrower flow channels in the re-forming means

  container, it is preferable, as shown in Fig 2,

  that the attachment line (i.e. line 150) which

  divides the primary channel (i.e. channel 160) either if-

  killed approximately in the center of compartment 105 It is

  also possible to use secondary flow channels

  additional daires and, for example, in the case where it is necessary to form two pairs of narrower secondary flow channels, it is preferable that the distance between one of the dividing lines and the lateral edge of the compartment which is closest is equal to the distance between

  the other dividing line and the side edge of the compartment

  ment 105 which is closest to it For example, one of the separating fixing lines can be arranged between the fixing lines 137 and 138 so as to subdivide the primary channel 158 into a first pair of secondary channels and the other line of separating fixing can be arranged between fixing lines 141 and 142 so as to divide

  the primary channel 162 into a second pair of secondary channels

  When the container means 100 are thus constructed, they comprise seven primary flow channels

  (156, 157, 159, 160, 161, 163 and 164) all having approximately

  the same width, two channels (155 and 165) of width

  slightly larger and two separate pairs of channels

  secondary flow which, although not specific

  referenced as such in the drawings, would be

gnes 158 a, 158 b and 162 a, 162 b.

  Fig 8 is a partial sectional view on a large scale.

  enlarged view which shows the container means 100 in position in the space 25 of the apparatus 16 The container has been shown in the configuration which it adopts when it is placed in space 25 and when it is filled with liquid The degree to which compartment 105 of the container expands under

  the strength of the liquid it contains is redefined and effective-

  ment limited by the width of the space 25 which, in the mode

  preferred embodiment, described above, is 1.52 mm.

  Thus it can be seen that the flow channels represented by way of example in FIG. 8 by channels 155 and 156 have taken a rectangular shape with end portions.

more or less rounded.

  If, as previously described here, the container means 100 are constructed from plastic sheets having a thickness of 0, 127 mm and if the space 25

  measures 1.52 mm, the maximum thickness 160 of the flow channels-

  liquid size is approximately 1.27 mm The dimensions above

  above indicated allow acceptable boot volumes

  and efficient heat transfer to the liquid or through the li-

  contained in the container at liquid flow rates

  before reaching 200 cm 3 / min Technical specialists

  recognize that if the flow of liquid is maintained

  as long as the thickness 160 is reduced, the priming volume is reduced, the heat transfer efficiency is increased

  and the turbulence of the flow increases While the re-

  reduction of the starting volume of the increase in the heat transfer efficiency would be advantageous,

  turbulence may not be desirable or acceptable

  table like, for example, when blood is heated or re-

  cool On the other hand, if the device has to deal with

  higher bits, it will probably be necessary, if one wishes to avoid turbulence, to increase the thickness 160 and to accept any increase in volume

  initiation and reduction of heat transfer efficiency

  which accompanies this increase.

  In Fig 9 to which we will now refer, another construction is shown in which the fixing line 136 is composed of several fixing lines

  shorter 137 a, 137 b, 137 c and 137 d having small inter-

  valleys between them One can use such a construction when one wishes to establish secondary flow paths

between adjacent channels.

  The container means of the present invention can, if desired, be provided with two sections of tube 66 a, 66 b, one of which is connected to the inlet orifice 121 and of which

  the other is connected to the outlet port 122 (see Fig 7).

  The unconnected ends of these tubes may have fittings for connecting the outlet port 121 to a source of liquid and for connecting the outlet port so that the liquid can be sent to another device for submission to another treatment or, if appropriate, returned to the patient.

  If the container means 100 are to be used

  with body fluids, such as blood or plasma

  ma, which must not be contaminated, the parts of the container means (and the tubes, fittings, etc. which can be used in combination with them) must be made from one of the non-contaminating raw materials,

  compatible with body fluids.

Claims (19)

  1 Flexible container means (100) arranged in a   lesson to be able to be mounted on a frame (80) having a crosspiece (81) from which extend two arms (82a, 82b) approximately parallel and in which a liquid can be stored or through which a liquid can be driven in circulation, these container means being   characterized in that they comprise a pair of walls cons-   with two relatively thin leaves (102, 104),   overall flexible, made of a polymer material, a su-   lower (110), lower edge (112), compartment (105)   centrally arranged to contain the liquid, a sheath al-   liner (106, 107) disposed adjacent to each lateral edge of the compartment, inlet means (121) for introducing the liquid into the compartment, outlet means (122) for withdrawing the liquid from the compartment, each of the sheaths having a inner edge (133, 134) and an outer edge (131, 132), the distance in a straight line between the outer edges of the sheaths being greater along the upper edge (110) of the container means than the distance in a straight line   between the outer edges of the sheaths along the lower edge   laughing means forming a reservoir.   2 container means according to claim 1, charac-   terized that the inlet means (121) and the outlet means (122) are arranged along the upper edge (110) container means.   3 container means according to claim 1, charac-   terized that the inlet means (121) are located along said upper edge (110) in the vicinity of one of the lateral edges of the compartment (105) and the outlet means (122) are arranged along said upper edge at neighborhood of   the other side edge of the compartment.   4 container means according to claim 3, charac-   terized that the elongated sleeves (106, 107) extend over the same length as the side edges of the compartment (105).   Container means according to claim 1, charac-   in that they further comprise means (135-   144) associated with said compartment (105) to divide the comparison   in several channels (155-165) of liquid flow through said compartment.   6 container means according to claim 5, charac-   terized in that the canals (155-165) all have approximate- the same width.   7 container means according to claim 6, charac-   terized in that they comprise means (150) for dividing at least one of the channels into two narrower channels (160 a,   b) both having approximately the same width.   8 means forming a reservoir according to claim 6, charac-   terized in that they comprise means (150) for dividing one of the channels into two narrower channels (160 a, 160 b)   having approximately the same width.   9 means forming a container according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that the two sheets (102, 104) of material   lymer which form the walls of said container means   are joined together along fastening lines   (135-144) relatively narrow, approximately regular-   spaced apart, arranged inside the compartment (105) so that a series of channels (155-165) is formed   liquid flow in said compartment (105).   Container means according to claim 9, charac-   terized in that the canals (155-165) all have approximati- the same width.   a container means according to claim 10,   characterized in that the two sheets (102, 104) of polymeric material are joined together along at least one   additional fixing line (150) arranged inside-   so as to divide at least one of the channels (155-165)   into two narrower channels (160 a, 160 b) having approximate- both are the same width.   12 container means according to claim 10, ca-   characterized in that the two sheets (102, 104) of polymeric material are joined together along a line of   additional fastening (150) arranged internally in Z 505294   Lesson to divide one of the channels (155-165) into two narrower channels (160 a, 160 b) having approximately the same same length.   13 container means according to one of claims   9 to 12, characterized in that the fixing lines (135-144, 150) are parallel to the sides (113, 114) of said container means and in that said inlet means (121) and said outlet means ( 122) are arranged along   from the upper edge (110) of said container means.   14 container means (100) characterized in that they have an upper edge (110), a lower edge (112),   two opposite side edges (113, 114), two walls   killed by relatively thin leaves (102, 104) in   the flexible assembly, made of a polymer material, means of   inlet (121) for introducing a liquid into the means forming   container, outlet means (122) for withdrawing the liquid   what about container means, the two sheets of ma-   being joined together along at least two relatively narrow fixing lines (135-144) arranged internally to form inside container means at least three primary channels (155-165) having   all approximately the same width, the leaves of ma-   being also joined together along at least   an additional fixing line (150) so as to subdivide   be at least one of the three primary channels into two secondary channels (160 a, 160 b) of reduced width, the number of   secondary channels never being greater than the number of primary nals.   Container means according to claim 14, ca-   characterized in that the aforementioned fixing lines (135-   144, 150) are parallel to said pair of side edges opposite (113, 114).   16 container means according to claim 15, ca-   characterized in that the input means (121) and the means   outlet (122) are arranged on the upper edge (110).   17 container means according to claim 16, ca-   characterized in that the fixing line (144) immediately adjacent to one of the lateral edges (114) forms a liquid-tight seal with the upper edge (110) of the container means and in that the inlet means ( 121) are arranged along the upper edge between said lateral edge (114) and said fixing line (144) immediately adjacent center at this side edge.   18 container means according to claim 17, ca-   characterized in that the fixing line (135) immediately adjacent to the other lateral edge (113) forms a liquid-tight seal with the upper edge (110) of the means forming   container and in that the outlet means (122) are provided   located along the upper edge between said other side edge   (113) and said fixing line (135) immediately adjacent center at this other side edge.   19 container means according to claim 18,   as the additional fixing line (150)   forms a tight seal with one of the upper and lower edges   (110, 112) container means.   Container means according to claim 19, ca-   characterized in that the additional fixing line (150) forms a tight seal with the lower edge (112) of the container means.   21 container means according to claim 20,   characterized in that they have eight channels (155-159, 161-   165) relatively large all having approximately the same   relatively narrower widths and two channels (160 a, 160 b).   22 Apparatus (10) designed to receive means forming a   container (100) in which or through which a liquid   to be heated or cooled is contained or driven in circulation   tion, this apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: two thermally conductive elements (14, 16), each of   these elements having first and second main surfaces   thermally conductive blades (17, 19; 18, 20), these elements   being placed in a provision in which they are   spaced from each other with their first main surfaces   respective blades arranged face to face so as to delimit   between them a space (25) for receiving said means   mant container, the second main thermally conductive surface (18, 20) of at least one of the elements having in contact with it at least one thermoelectric device   heating or cooling (30), said at least one device   thermoelectric devices in contact with a thermowell mock (34, 36).   23 Apparatus (10) designed to receive means forming   container (100) in which or through which a container   that heating or cooling is contained or entrained in   circulation, this apparatus being characterized in that it comprises   takes: two thermally conductive elements (14, 16), each   any of these elements having first and second main thermally conductive surfaces (17, 19; 18, 20), these elements being placed in an arrangement in which they are spaced from each other with their first surfaces   respective main ones arranged face to face so as to   limit between them a space (25) to receive said   container means, the second main surface ther-   mically conductive (18, 20) of each of the elements having in contact with it at least one thermoelectric device   heating or cooling (30), each of the ther-   being in contact with a heat sink (34, 36). 24 An apparatus (10) for heating or cooling a liquid,   this apparatus being characterized in that it comprises two elements   thermally conductive elements (14, 16), each of these elements   elements comprising first and second thermal surfaces-   conductive (17, 19; 18, 20), the two thermo-   mically conductive being placed in an arrangement in which they are spaced from each other with their respective first thermally conductive main surfaces   arranged face to face so as to delimit between them an es-   pace (25) to receive a container, the second thermal surface   mically conductive of each of the elements comprising at least, in heat conduction contact with it, a thermoelectric heating or cooling device (30), each of these thermoelectric devices being in contact   with a heat sink (34, 36) and, arranged in said es-   pace (25), container means (100) in which or through which a liquid is heated or cooled   may be contained or driven into circulation.