Abstract:
A transparent portable warming device to insure normothermia during medical transport, particularly for transporting pediatric patients and infants is disclosed. The warming device includes a one or more layers of a thin, flexible, transparent material. A heating element includes a parallel circuit of resistive wires controlled by a battery-powered power controller. The controller maintains the temperature of the blanket at a predetermined temperature level for periods of time suitable for transporting patients. In one embodiment, the resistive wires are nichrome, and the flexible material comprises polyvinylchloride. The system can be powered by a lightweight twelve volt battery.