Unique Technology
Nova's unique heating element uses
a novel carbon veil technology. This
technology has been proven as a
heater in car seats for years.
Encompass is the first company to
incorporate this technology into a
disposable medical product.
Consistent Methodology
The Carbon veil is manufactured in a
similar manner to paper, so it is readily
available and a consistent methodology
to warm patients.
The thin flexible heater conforms to
the patient and warms very effectively
without the complications of forced air.
Maintains Performance
The Carbon veil uses less than 5 amps for even, consistent heat similar to what a laptop uses while warming up your lap.
Warming effectively with minimal risks.
Technical Features
- PATENT-PENDING BLANKET DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION- Delivers consistent, evenly-delivered safe and effective heat.
- SMART CABLE CONNECTION (MOUSE) - This is a fast and secure power connection to blanket with click confirmation. Eliminates risk of blanket damage at connection point—no bulky hose in your way.
- THIN SMART CABLE TECHNOLOGY - Our cable is much smaller profile than FAW and can be secured easily using the integrated linen clip to reduce tripping hazard risk.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE SETTINGS - Provides caregiver options to manage patient core body temperature.
- SOFT-TOUCH USER INTERFACE CONTROLLER - Has Single-button controls large Clear Numeric Temp display on controller that indicates blanket surface temperature and universal pole clamp, which easily mounts on various-sized poles up to 2 inches.
- DUAL-PORT, MULTI-BLANKET CONTROLLER TECHNOLOGY - One controller can independently manage two blankets simultaneously to maximize skin surface coverage.
NOVA is perfect for the OR. NOVA keeps the patient warm without heating the entire OR, and it doesn't affect any OR equipment. We can't use forced-air warming (FAW) for robotic cases due to the sensitivity of the robot. Plus, the blanket blows up with air, and the FAW gets in the way of the sensors. We use NOVA in every OR at my facility.
As an RN, I really love NOVA for so many reasons! It's not bulky, which makes it really easy to move and work around the system. It's also user-friendly, completely silent and doesn't emit heat. I can care for my patients as long as needed without overheating. NOVA is a pre-op necessity!
Technical Data
No air movement:
Nova warms patients without air movement, reducing infection risks associated with forced air.
Maintains normothermia:
Even when unpowered the Nova heat reflective technology banks patient heat meaning your patients arrive in the OR warm and stay warm.
Virtually silent during operation:
With no moving parts, the Nova system is silent
creating no additional noise in the OR.
Highly efficient heat delivery:
The Nova blanket doesn't emit excess heat, so patients stay warm while clinicians remain cool during surgery.
Easy to use:
The Nova blanket is easy to apply and to keep
on your patient. The controller unit is intuitive
and simple to operate.
Effective, efficient design:
Nova was designed with both the caregiver and
patient in mind. Upper and lower body product
variations are available.
One Patient-Warming Solution for the Entire Perioperative Journey
Key Information
The Nova™ system comes with everything your patient needs to prevent hypothermia:
-
Upper body blanket
-
Lower body blanket
-
Smart cable
-
Control unit
-
Power cable
See the entire Nova™ system in action.
Nova: Frequently Asked Questions
NO. The NOVA system is certified and meets all the required standards for safety in a medical electrical device. For a patient warming system these are:
- ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1 Medical electrical equipment-Part 1: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance (IEC 60601-1:2005, MOD)
- IEC 60601-1-2 3rd Ed (2007) Medical Electrical Equipment – Part 1-2: General requirements for safety –Part 1-2: Collateral Standard: Electromagnetic disturbances - Requirements and tests for General Medical Equipment.
- IEC 80601-2-35 Edition 2.1 2016-04 Medical electrical equipment -- Part 2-35: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of heating devices using blankets, pads or mattresses and intended for heating in medical use.
- To further assure the safe use of the NOVA Patient Warming System, Arc Potential testing in accordance with NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 was conducted by a 3rd Party on the system, the Flash Hazard Safety rating of -0- is acceptable for use in the blankets
The inner face (blue side) of the blanket can come into contact with the patient’s skin. The blankets meet the required standards for surface contact of a device, these are:
- IOS10993-5 Biological evaluation of medical devices — Part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity.
- ISO10993-10 Biological evaluation of medical devices — Part 10: Tests for irritation and skin sensitization.
No risk for electrocution.
- If the blanket gets wet -Turn off controller unit, wipe off wet area on blanket. If moisture is observed on or near the cable connection to the controller, remove the blanket from use and replace.
- If the blanket gets cut - The side rails of the blanket provide a connection for powering the blanket. If the side rails are cut there is no electrical risk however, the product performance will be compromised. Turn off the controller unit and remove from use and replace.
This may cause the product performance to be compromised. Turn off control unit, wipe off wet area on blanket, remove blanket from use and replace.
Turn off control unit, wipe off wet area. If moisture is observed on or near any cable connection to the controller, remove the controller from use to avoid any damage to the unit and return to Encompass Group LLC. for inspection and assessment.
Note: The control unit meets the electrical safety requirements for a medical device, but ingress is rated as IPXO – Wipe down only.
It may crack or malfunction. It would be wise to replace the controller in the environment of use.
- At the healthcare facility potential damage can be assessed with BioMed away from use or proximity to the patient.
- An assessment routine appears on pages 17-19 of the NOVA IFU. Follow the sequence to determine if the control unit is working properly. If there is any unresolved questions or concern, return the control unit to Encompass Group LLC. for inspection and assessment. IMPORTANT: There are no serviceable parts in the control unit or blanket(s).
The control unit is rated at 110-120 VAC, 50-60Hz, 350 VAC Peak.
Strapping the arm down may be similar to folding. We have not tested for this and would not recommend it be done while the blanket is turned on and active.
Always strap the patient’s arm under the product not on top of the product.
Close proximity to the edge of the blanket facilitates easy access and connection/disconnection of the SMART Cable connector. This positioning also eliminates any cable to be extended across the patient.
NO. The system is grounded with an internal equipotential ground.
The system meets the requirement under IEC-60601-1-2 3rd Ed (2007) Medical Electrical Equipment – Part 1-2: General requirements for safety –Part 1-2: Collateral Standard: Electromagnetic disturbances - Requirements and tests for General Medical Equipment.
- The thermistor located in the approximate center of either blanket is sensitive. The incremental weight of a person on a blanket may trigger false readings subsequent to poor system performance.
- The NOVA blankets have not been tested for pooling of fluids which can result when an underbody blanket is used.
- Refer to section 2.4 and 2.5 of the IFU on pages 7 & 8 for a complete listing of warnings and precautions.
NO. The blanket can be fastened under the arm boards by connecting the edges in the passive section together.
NO. The control unit should always be turned off prior to any folding scenario. It should never be active with a fold back as false readings and subsequent patient warming could be adversely affected. If folding is necessary, turn control unit off or place in standby mode.
- Refer to section 2.4 and 2.5 of the IFU on pages 7 & 8 for a complete listing of warnings and precautions.
NO. Alarm conditions and troubleshooting are found on page 17 of the IFU.