Closed Circuit Patient Warmer with Antimicrobial Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient warming systems, such as thermal blankets and mattresses, often leak or circulate warm air, leading to unsterile air currents that can contaminate the operative area and increase infection risks, while also being cumbersome and difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
A closed circuit forced hot air warmer system that circulates heated air within a patient mattress or blanket using a blower with HEPA filters to prevent air leakage and contamination, and includes an antimicrobial mist generator for internal sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If warm air is discharged through exit passages in the form of high velocity jets, then the patient is warmed effectively, but turbulent circulation currents are created that pick up microbes from floor dust and deliver them to the operative area
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket is divided into multiple separate air cells (first air cell, second air cell, etc.) with independent air circulation paths. Each cell has its own inlet and outlet passages, preventing the creation of turbulent currents that could spread microbes while still providing effective warming through distributed heat delivery across multiple segmented zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The air circulation is transitioned from a high-velocity jet discharge system to a low-velocity distributed flow system. By changing the dimensional characteristics of air delivery from concentrated high-speed jets to distributed low-speed flow across multiple cells, the system achieves effective warming without creating turbulent currents that would pick up and transport microbes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a closed circuit system is used to contain warm air, then microbial contamination is prevented, but the system complexity increases with additional filters and circulation components
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal warming through air circulation, maintains sterility through HEPA filtration, and enables easy disposal as a single-use device. The integrated design combines heating, filtering, and patient coverage functions into one universal device that addresses multiple requirements without requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blanket is designed as a disposable single-use device that can be discarded after one use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures between uses. This disposable approach simplifies the overall system by removing the need for reusable components that would require maintenance, while still providing effective warming and sterility during the single use period.
3Temperature
If water-filled blankets are used for patient warming, then effective heat transfer is achieved, but the blankets become heavy and uncomfortable for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic principles by circulating air through the blanket instead of using water-filled tubes. Air is a gas that provides effective heat transfer through convection and conduction while being much lighter than water. The pressurized air circulation system delivers thermal energy efficiently without the weight penalty of water-filled blankets, making the device comfortable for patient use.
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 prevents hypothermia and reduces the risk of infections by maintaining a sterile environment, as the warm air is contained within a closed circuit, and the antimicrobial mist generator ensures the apparatus is cleaned and disinfected, reducing microbial contamination.
Implementation Method 1
A blower circulates air through the blanket
Implementation Method 2
A method comprises vaporizing a liquid disinfectant with a vaporizer
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a closed circuit forced hot air warmer of patient beds and blankets with improved sterility has a patient mattress or blanket microprocessor controlled warmer that circulates heated air in a closed system without releasing warmed air into the area surrounding the patient or into the operating room. The system helps to avoid the exposure of patients and hospital workers in the operating room to possible infecting microbes carried in unsterile turbulent air currents related to the release of air from non-closed systems. The machinery and flexible hoses of the system are initially sterilized by a microprocessor controlled antimicrobial mist generator. The system does not discharge jets of warmed air due to the closed circuit arrangement. Turbulent air flow previously produced in the vicinity of the patient by high velocity air jets is eliminated. An ambient, quiescent condition accorded by closed circuit heating prevents infection of patients and operating room personnel by microbe migration.