Appendage Chamber Thermal Exchange for Blood Viscosity Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for thermoregulation in mammals are limited in effectively inducing sufficient changes in body temperature for therapeutic benefits, and existing treatments for altering blood viscosity are costly and associated with side effects.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an appendage chamber, a thermal exchange member, and a pressure source that applies negative pressure and heat or cooling to an arteriovenous anastomosis to adjust blood viscosity and circulation, including a programmable controller for monitoring and adjusting force and pressure to ensure effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat and subatmospheric pressure are applied to hypothermic individual's skin, then normothermia is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a thermal exchange member for heat transfer, a pressure source for subatmospheric pressure application, and a controller for coordination. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal exchange member serves multiple functions: it transfers thermal energy to adjust body temperature and simultaneously acts as a sensing element for the controller. The pressure source both creates subatmospheric pressure and works in conjunction with the thermal exchange member to enhance thermoregulation efficiency.
2Force
If drugs are used to reduce blood viscosity, then blood viscosity is reduced, but side effects such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical drug therapy with a physical therapy approach using thermal energy and subatmospheric pressure applied through the appendage chamber. This mechanical/physical method adjusts blood viscosity and enhances circulation without introducing chemical substances that cause side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal exchange member acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the blood circulation system. It transfers thermal energy indirectly through the skin and tissues to adjust blood properties, avoiding direct introduction of harmful substances into the body.
3Temperature
If strategic inducement of vasodilation and heat transfer is applied to targeted portions of the body, then core temperature can be changed, but it is difficult to induce sufficient changes for therapy due to the human body's refined thermoregulation
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the parameters of thermoregulation by applying subatmospheric pressure in addition to thermal energy. This combination creates conditions that override the body's normal thermoregulatory responses, allowing sufficient temperature changes for therapeutic effect while the controller monitors and adjusts parameters to maintain safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from temperature sensors and pressure sensors to continuously monitor the therapeutic process. It adjusts the thermal exchange member and pressure source accordingly to achieve the desired core temperature change while compensating for the body's thermoregulatory responses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively increases microvascular circulation, reduces blood viscosity, and alleviates symptoms associated with various autoimmune, circulatory, and neurological disorders without the side effects of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal exchange member is disposed within the appendage chamber and configured to selectively heat or cool blood flowing through the AVA
Implementation Method 2
The pressure source is coupled to the appendage chamber and configured to apply negative pressure within the appendage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a human condition by providing an appendage chamber having a thermal exchange member. Negative pressure may be applied to a human appendage when placed within the appendage chamber. Blood flowing through the arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA) of the appendage may be heated or cooled at the thermal exchange member for therapeutic application of thermal energy to adjust blood viscosity in the human to alleviate symptoms associated with a number of autoimmune, circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, and endocrinal maladies. A load sensor may be coupled to the thermal exchange member and configured to measure a force of the appendage applied to the thermal exchange member. In addition, a negative pressure sensor may measure pressure within the appendage chamber.