Ceramic Infusion Fluid Warmer for Portable Direct Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infusion fluid warmers are bulky, heavy, and inefficient in using energy, making them unsuitable for portable applications and difficult to secure on patients, with a lack of mechanism to capture and couple heat energy to the infusion fluid.
Innovation Solution
A compact infusion fluid warmer with a thermally conducting and electrically insulating ceramic housing shell that directly transfers heat energy to the infusion fluid, utilizing a portable energy source to efficiently warm the fluid through direct physical contact, reducing the number of parts and enhancing portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional infusion fluid warmers are used, then the fluid can be warmed to the desired temperature, but the device becomes bulky and heavy making it unsuitable for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element and fluid channel are merged into a single integrated housing shell structure. The housing shell itself serves as both the structural component and the heat transfer medium, eliminating the need for separate heating chambers and fluid passages. This integration dramatically reduces the overall device weight while maintaining effective fluid warming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing shell performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, conducts heat from the heating element, and directly transfers thermal energy to the infusion fluid through its integrated fluid channel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device weight and complexity.
2Temperature
If conventional infusion fluid warmers are used, then the fluid can be warmed, but the device becomes bulky making it difficult to secure on the patient's body
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element, fluid channel, and housing structure are merged into a single compact integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate chambers and connections, dramatically reducing the overall device volume while maintaining the ability to warm infusion fluid effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid channel is designed to extend around the housing shell in a three-dimensional configuration rather than requiring a large linear space. This spatial optimization allows the device to maintain effective heat transfer pathways while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the warmer.
3Temperature
If conventional infusion fluid warmers are used, then the fluid can be warmed, but the device is composed of many separate parts increasing manufacturing cost and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The housing shell is designed as a single integrated component that incorporates both the heating element mounting structure and the fluid channel. This eliminates the need for separate housing parts, mounting brackets, and channel assemblies, thereby reducing the total number of parts, simplifying manufacturing, and improving reliability by removing multiple potential failure points from separate engaging parts.
4Temperature
If conventional infusion fluid warmers are used, then the fluid can be warmed, but heat energy dissipated in the energy source is not captured leading to inefficient energy use
Solution Approach 1:
The housing shell and integrated fluid channel are positioned to capture waste heat dissipated by the portable energy source (battery) and convert it into useful thermal energy for warming the infusion fluid. The fluid channel is thermally coupled to the energy source housing, allowing passive heat transfer from the battery to the fluid without requiring additional active heating elements, thereby eliminating energy loss and improving overall system 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 solution provides a lightweight, efficient, and compact infusion fluid warmer that effectively maintains the desired temperature of infusion fluids, allowing for convenient patient attachment and optimized energy use, suitable for emergency or war zone applications.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element is bonded to the housing shell and thermally coupled thereto. The fluid channel or passage extends through the housing shell or extends around the housing shell such that heat energy is transferred to the infusion fluid by direct physical contact with housing shell material.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The present invention relates in one aspect to an infusion fluid warmer which comprises a casing shell having an upper wall structure and a lower, opposing, wall structure. The casing shell encloses a fluid channel or passage extending through the casing shell in-between the upper and lower wall structures and fluid inlet and outlet ports coupled to opposite ends of the fluid channel or passage to allow a flow of infusion fluid through the casing shell. A housing shell is formed in a thermally conducting and electrically insulating material and a heating element is bonded to the housing shell and thermally coupled thereto. The fluid channel or passage extends through the housing shell or extends around the housing shell such that heat energy is transferred to the infusion fluid by direct physical contact with housing shell material.