Central Venous Catheter with Heat Exchange Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling fever in ICU patients, such as acetaminophen, cooling blankets, and ice baths, are inefficient and lack precise temperature control, which can exacerbate the detrimental effects of fever in neuro-ICU patients.
Innovation Solution
A central venous line catheter equipped with a heat exchange element that circulates a temperature-controlled fluid to manage patient temperature, allowing for efficient cooling or warming through a feedback loop and reducing the risk of additional complications by leveraging existing venous access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cooling methods (acetaminophen, cooling blankets, ice water bladder lavages, ice baths) are used to control fever, then fever management is achieved, but the methods require excessive time to cool the patient and do not provide precise temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor continuously monitors patient temperature and feeds this information to a controller, which adjusts the coolant temperature accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise temperature control and rapid response to temperature changes, eliminating the delays and imprecision of conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical cooling methods (cooling blankets, ice baths) with a fluid-based thermal exchange system. A coolant circulates through heat exchange elements in contact with blood vessels, transferring heat directly from the patient's body. This substitution enables faster and more precise temperature control compared to passive mechanical methods.
2Measurement precision
If a central venous catheter is modified to include heat exchange capability, then precise temperature control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates temperature control functionality into an existing central venous catheter, enabling it to perform multiple functions: vascular access, fluid infusion, and thermal exchange. By making the catheter multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate cooling devices and reduces overall system complexity despite incorporating temperature control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the heat exchange elements, temperature sensors, and coolant circulation system into a single integrated catheter assembly. This merging of components into one unified device simplifies the overall system compared to having separate cooling devices, and facilitates precise temperature control through coordinated operation of integrated parts.
3Productivity
If a heat exchange element is added to the central venous catheter, then efficient temperature management is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchange function into separate modular elements that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the catheter. The heat exchange elements, sensors, and tubing can be produced as discrete components using standard manufacturing processes, reducing the complexity of manufacturing the complete catheter assembly compared to creating a monolithic structure.
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 effectively maintains patient temperature within a desired range for prolonged periods, reducing the risk of fever-related complications and providing precise temperature control, thus improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange element disposed in heat exchange relationship with the blood of the patient. The heat exchange element houses a circulating fluid therein
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchange element is in heat exchange relationship with the blood supply of the patient, with a circulating fluid in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange element
Implementation Method 3
a temperature control unit in heat exchange relationship with the circulating fluid, with the temperature control unit heating or cooling the circulating fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A kit of parts comprises a system and instructions for use for controlling patient temperature which uses a central venous line catheter having a heat exchange element. The central venous line catheter is provided with one or more lumens for providing access to the central blood supply of the patient, and with additional lumens for communicating heat exchange fluid to the heat exchange element. Heat exchange fluid temperature is controlled through a feed back loop in which patient temperature is sensed and used to control a temperature control unit comprising a heating device and/or a cooling device in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange fluid. A tubing set transports the heat exchange fluid between the central venous line and the temperature control unit, with a pump serving to circulate the fluid in a closed fluid circuit in the system.