Catalytic Fluid Warmer for Portable Medical Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biocompatible fluid warming devices are limited by their dependence on electrical energy, making them unsuitable for field applications where alternating current is not available, and they are often bulky and heavy due to the size and weight of batteries required for heating biocompatible fluids.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus that uses a catalytic combustion system to generate heat without electrical energy, featuring a gas flow chamber with a catalyst compartment and tortuous combustion products pathway, an air-fuel mixing chamber, and a fluid warming chamber with a conductive heat exchanger base, allowing for efficient heat transfer to biocompatible fluids without the need for electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrically heated systems are used to warm biocompatible fluids, then warming function is achieved, but device portability is severely limited due to battery weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical heating system with a catalytic combustion system that uses chemical energy from fuel (propane or butane) to generate heat. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy batteries and electrical components, achieving fluid warming through a portable chemical reaction-based heating mechanism that directly heats the fluid container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from electrical energy (requiring heavy batteries) to chemical energy (portable fuel canisters). This parameter change fundamentally alters the device's weight characteristics while maintaining the heating function, enabling portability for field use.
2Power
If large batteries are used to power heating systems, then sufficient power for heating is achieved, but device volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the electrical power system with a catalytic combustion system that generates heat through chemical reactions. This replacement eliminates the need for large battery packs, achieving sufficient heating power through a compact fuel-based system that dramatically reduces device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system uses periodic refilling of small fuel canisters instead of continuous electrical power supply. This allows the device to maintain compact size while providing adequate heating power through repeated short-duration fuel combustion cycles.
3Temperature
If electrical energy sources are required, then consistent heating is achieved, but adaptability to field environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from electrical (grid-dependent) to chemical (fuel-based), enabling the device to operate in field environments without electrical infrastructure. The catalytic combustion system provides consistent heating through controlled fuel combustion, achieving both heating reliability and environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves universality by being able to operate in both clinical settings (with optional electrical power) and field environments (using fuel combustion). The catalytic heating system provides universal adaptability across different deployment scenarios, from hospital rooms to remote battlefield locations.
4Power
If conventional fluid warming devices are designed for electrical operation, then heating efficiency is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical heating elements, temperature controllers, and power management circuits with a simpler catalytic combustion system. The fuel-based heating mechanism inherently provides efficient heat transfer to the fluid container with fewer electronic components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining heating efficiency.
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 apparatus is compact, lightweight, and independent of electrical energy, enabling effective warming of biocompatible fluids in remote field hospital environments, enhancing portability and utility by providing efficient heat transfer with a reduced overall volume and increased power density.
Implementation Method 1
an air-fuel mixture emerging from the air-fuel mixing chamber enters the catalytic compartment containing the catalyst member and combusts to create a stream of heated combustion products
Implementation Method 2
a fluid warming chamber on a second side of the apparatus to conductively receive heat generated in the gas flow chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A portable apparatus to warm a stream of biocompatible fluid prior to introduction into a patient comprises a heat exchanger base with a first side and a second side, a gas chamber cover coupled to the first side to form a gas chamber therebetween, a fluid warming chamber cover coupled to the second side to form a fluid warming chamber therebetween, an air-fuel mixing chamber with an outlet feeding an inlet to the gas chamber, a catalyst member disposed within a catalyst compartment of the gas chamber to receive an air-fuel mixture from the inlet to the gas chamber, a tortuous pathway between the catalyst compartment and an exhaust port of the gas chamber, an air mover to receive ambient air and discharge air into the air-fuel mixing chamber, and a fuel storage tank connected to feed a stream of fuel gas to the air-fuel mixing chamber.