Brain Cooling System Using TEC and Localized Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cooling the brain after traumatic brain injury or ischemic events are complex, cumbersome, and often fail to provide effective selective brain cooling, leading to adverse side effects such as shivering and delayed cooling initiation.
Innovation Solution
A system that delivers a forced flow of cooled air or breathable gas to the brain, utilizing a cooling subsystem with a thermally conductive gas block and a thermal electric cooling (TEC) device, along with temperature and flow rate control, to achieve therapeutic hypothermia and target temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is divided into separate functional modules: a cooling element for temperature reduction, a heating element for temperature maintenance, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall device architecture and making it easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates both cooling and heating capabilities in a single integrated device, allowing it to perform multiple functions (cooling the brain, maintaining temperature, and preventing overheating) rather than requiring separate devices for each function.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors brain temperature and adjusts the cooling and heating elements accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex operational procedures. The system self-regulates to maintain the desired temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing that provides continuous feedback to the control mechanism, which automatically adjusts cooling and heating output. This closed-loop feedback system simplifies operation by eliminating manual temperature monitoring and adjustment.
3Device complexity
If cooling is delayed beyond 30 minutes, then setup complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases and therapeutic effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be rapidly deployable with pre-assembled components and automatic activation capabilities, allowing cooling to begin within minutes of application. The system prepares cooling functions in advance or activates them immediately upon contact with the patient.
4Area of stationary object
If whole body cooling is applied, then cooling coverage is increased, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to shivering and adverse side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device applies temperature reduction selectively to the brain region only, using localized cooling elements positioned against the head, rather than cooling the entire body. This localized approach prevents systemic side effects like shivering while maintaining therapeutic brain cooling.
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 system efficiently cools the brain to normothermic levels, reducing adverse side effects and enabling effective cooling within the critical therapeutic window, thereby potentially delaying necrotic and apoptotic cell death.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cooling subsystem with a thermally conductive gas block and a thermal electric cooling (TEC) device
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a cooling subsystem with a thermally conductive gas block
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for cooling the brain of a human subject* the system including a cooling subsystem configured to input a flow of air or breathable gas, cool the air or breathable gas, and output cooled air or breathable gas to a line coupled to a device adapted to deliver the cooled air or breathable gas to a human subject. A flow control device coupled to the cooling subsystem is configured to control a flow rate of the flow of the air or breathable gas input to the cooling subsystem and a flow rate of the cooled air or breathable gas output to the line. One or more How rate sensors coupled to the cooling subsystem are configured to measure at least a flow rate of flow of cooled air or breathable gas. One or more temperature sensors are configured to measure at least a temperature of a brain or a brain correlative site of the human subject and the temperature of the flow of cooled air or breathable gas. A controller is coupled to the cooling subsystem, the flow control device, the one or more flow rate sensors, and the one or more temperature sensors and is configured to adjust a cooling rate, the temperature, and the flow rate of flow of cooled air or breathable gas delivered to the human subject based on at least the measured temperature of the brain or the brain correlative site and the measured flow rate of the flow of cooled air or breathable gas to cool the brain of the human subject.