Leak-Proof Gel Pads for Patient Temperature Management
This patent describes a system using special gel pads and one-way valves to precisely control a patient's body temperature without leaking fluid.
Original patent title: “Systems, apparatus and methods for leak prevention with targeted temperature management gel pads”
This patent describes a system using special gel pads and one-way valves to precisely control a patient's body temperature without leaking fluid. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This system provides targeted temperature management (TTM) for a patient using a special pad and fluid. A TTM module supplies a fluid, which travels through a fluid delivery line to a pad placed on the patient. The pad includes a fluid delivery conduit with a first leak prevention valve. This valve is designed to allow fluid to flow only towards the patient (distal direction) and stops it from flowing back. The pad also has a fluid return conduit with a second leak prevention valve, which only allows fluid to flow away from the patient (proximal direction). This dual valve setup ensures that if a connection breaks, the temperature control fluid stays contained within the system, preventing spills. For instance, if the delivery line disconnects, the first valve prevents fluid from gushing out of the pad.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Temperature management systems that do not use a fluid-filled pad for thermal energy transfer.
- Leak prevention methods that do not rely on specific one-way valves in both the fluid delivery and fluid return conduits of the pad.
- Medical pads designed for purposes other than targeted temperature management, such as wound dressings or pressure relief.
- Systems where the leak prevention valves are located solely in the main fluid delivery line and not within the pad's conduits themselves.
- Temperature management techniques that do not involve circulating a fluid, such as air-based warming blankets.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in integrating specific one-way leak prevention valves directly into both the fluid delivery and fluid return conduits of the temperature management pad itself. This ensures fluid containment at the point of patient contact, even if a main line disconnects, providing a robust safety mechanism.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Hospital operating rooms for maintaining patient body temperature during surgery
Intensive care units (ICUs) for therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest
Emergency departments for rapid cooling or warming of patients
Patient recovery rooms where temperature stability is crucial
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Maintaining a patient's body temperature is critical in many medical scenarios, like during surgery, after cardiac arrest, or for fever reduction. Uncontrolled fluid leaks from temperature management systems can create unsanitary conditions, pose infection risks, and disrupt patient care. This patent addresses a practical challenge in clinical settings by making these essential medical procedures safer and more efficient by preventing fluid spills.
Filed
June 23, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like ZOLL Medical, Medtronic, Gentherm, and Stryker are major players in the patient temperature management space, continuously developing and refining devices for hospitals and emergency services. These companies focus on improving the safety, efficiency, and ease of use of medical temperature control systems.
Market impact
Innovations in leak prevention for medical devices, such as those described here, contribute to safer clinical environments and reduce the burden on healthcare staff. By minimizing fluid spills, this technology can enhance patient safety, lower the risk of contamination, and improve the overall reliability of critical care equipment, influencing product design across the medical device industry.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This system provides targeted temperature management (TTM) for a patient using a special pad and fluid. A TTM module supplies a fluid, which travels through a fluid delivery line to a pad placed on the patient. The pad includes a fluid delivery conduit with a first leak prevention valve. This valve is designed to allow fluid to flow only towards the patient (distal direction) and stops it from flowing back. The pad also has a fluid return conduit with a second leak prevention valve, which only allows fluid to flow away from the patient (proximal direction). This dual valve setup ensures that if a connection breaks, the temperature control fluid stays contained within the system, preventing spills. For instance, if the delivery line disconnects, the first valve prevents fluid from gushing out of the pad.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in integrating specific one-way leak prevention valves directly into both the fluid delivery and fluid return conduits of the temperature management pad itself. This ensures fluid containment at the point of patient contact, even if a main line disconnects, providing a robust safety mechanism.
What it does not cover
- Temperature management systems that do not use a fluid-filled pad for thermal energy transfer.
- Leak prevention methods that do not rely on specific one-way valves in both the fluid delivery and fluid return conduits of the pad.
- Medical pads designed for purposes other than targeted temperature management, such as wound dressings or pressure relief.
- Systems where the leak prevention valves are located solely in the main fluid delivery line and not within the pad's conduits themselves.
- Temperature management techniques that do not involve circulating a fluid, such as air-based warming blankets.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 15.7 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Leak-Proof Gel Pads for Patient Temperature Management (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,066). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734066/systems-apparatus-and-methods-for-leak-prevention-with-targeted-temperature
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Leak-Proof Gel Pads for Patient Temperature Management cover?
This patent describes a system using special gel pads and one-way valves to precisely control a patient's body temperature without leaking fluid.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Maintaining a patient's body temperature is critical in many medical scenarios, like during surgery, after cardiac arrest, or for fever reduction. Uncontrolled fluid leaks from temperature management systems can create unsanitary conditions, pose infection risks, and disrupt patient care. This patent addresses a practical challenge in clinical settings by making these essential medical procedures safer and more efficient by preventing fluid spills.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Temperature management systems that do not use a fluid-filled pad for thermal energy transfer.
Patent monitoring