Appendage Chamber Thermal Exchange for Blood Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for thermoregulation in mammals are limited in their ability to induce sufficient changes in body temperature for therapeutic benefits, particularly in increasing microvascular circulation and adjusting blood viscosity, leading to drawbacks such as high costs and side effects from existing treatments for reducing blood viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an appendage chamber, a thermal exchange member, and a pressure source that applies positive and negative pressure to enhance blood flow and temperature regulation, using a Peltier device or electric heating to adjust blood viscosity and treat various medical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat and subatmospheric pressure are applied to skin to achieve normothermia, then body temperature regulation is improved, but the ability to induce sufficient therapeutic changes is limited due to the body's refined thermoregulation
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the approach by separately controlling thermal energy application and pressure application to different body regions. The thermal energy is applied locally to specific skin areas while pressure is applied to other regions, creating a coordinated multi-region treatment that overcomes the body's unified thermoregulation response.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses blood flow as an intermediary to transfer thermal effects from local skin areas to remote body regions. By applying heat to skin areas and simultaneously applying pressure to other regions, the system leverages circulatory blood flow to distribute thermal energy systemically, enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.
2Temperature
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 device replaces pharmacological chemical methods with a physical mechanism. Instead of using drugs to alter blood viscosity, the system uses coordinated thermal energy and pressure application to mechanically influence blood flow and viscosity through physiological responses, eliminating drug-related side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes blood viscosity by altering thermal parameters and pressure parameters. By controlling the temperature and pressure applied to different body regions, the system dynamically adjusts blood flow characteristics and viscosity without introducing foreign chemical substances.
3Productivity
If thermal energy is applied to increase microvascular circulation, then circulation is improved, but existing systems lack the capability to continuously apply heat at normothermia for viscosity adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions into a single system: thermal energy application, pressure application, and coordinated control. This multi-functional design enables the system to perform both local thermal therapy and systemic circulation management, adjusting blood viscosity as a secondary effect of the coordinated treatment.
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 autoimmune, circulatory, neurological, and endocrinal disorders, offering a more economical and side-effect-free alternative to existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal exchange member configured to selectively heat or cool the blood flowing through the AVA
Implementation Method 2
using a Peltier device or electric heating to adjust blood viscosity
Implementation Method 3
using a Peltier device or electric heating to adjust blood viscosity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
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 lo the thermal exchange member. In addition, a negati ve pressure sensor may measure pressure within the appendage chamber.