Catalytic Fluid Warmer with Tortuous Combustion Pathway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biocompatible fluid warming devices for trauma patients are limited by their dependence on electrical energy, making them non-portable and unsuitable for field applications, and they often fail to generate sufficient heat due to inefficient air-fuel mixing, leading to incomplete combustion and carbon monoxide production.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus that uses a catalytic combustion system with a compact air-fuel mixing chamber and tortuous combustion products pathway to generate heat for warming biocompatible fluids, independent of electrical energy, utilizing a hydrocarbon fuel and ambient air for efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrically heated biocompatible fluid infusion systems are used, then fluid warming function is provided, but portability is severely limited due to battery weight and size requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical heating system with a chemical combustion system. Instead of using electric batteries and heating elements, the device uses a fuel cell that combusts chemical fuel (such as propane or butane) to generate heat. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy rechargeable batteries, significantly reducing device weight and improving portability while maintaining fluid warming capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from electrical energy to chemical energy. By transitioning from an electrically heated system to a fuel-based combustion system, the device achieves the same thermal output without the weight penalty of large-capacity batteries, thereby resolving the portability contradiction
2Power
If conventional venturi fuel-air mixer is used, then fuel combustion is achieved, but incomplete mixing leads to carbon monoxide production and insufficient heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tortuous (curved) combustion products pathway instead of a straight linear path. This curved configuration increases the residence time of combustion products within the combustion chamber, allowing more complete combustion reactions to occur and ensuring thorough mixing of fuel and air, thereby eliminating carbon monoxide production while maximizing heat generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous and complete combustion by designing a combustion chamber with a tortuous pathway that maintains continuous contact between combustion products and the catalyst surface. This continuous action ensures complete oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, eliminating harmful emissions while sustaining maximum heat generation
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 provides efficient heat transfer for warming biocompatible fluids, enhancing portability and utility in field applications by eliminating the need for electrical energy and ensuring complete combustion, thus preventing carbon monoxide production.
Implementation Method 1
a catalytic combustion system with a compact air-fuel mixing chamber and tortuous combustion products pathway to generate heat for warming biocompatible fluids
Implementation Method 2
efficient heat transfer
Data Source
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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.