Compressive Patient Warming Device with Segmented Wraps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient warming devices during surgical procedures often restrict access to the body, cause stippling, and fail to effectively prevent deep vein thrombosis, leading to hypothermia and related medical complications.
Innovation Solution
A compressive patient warming device with an elastic inner layer that conforms snugly to a patient's appendage, combined with a rigid outer layer to apply compressive force and hold a heat transfer medium, allowing for efficient heat delivery and blood flow while providing access to underlying body areas and preventing deep vein thrombosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If forced air convective warming blankets or large wraps are used to cover various parts of the body, then patient warming effectiveness is improved, but access to the patient in covered areas is restricted and device repositioning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The warming device is divided into multiple separate wraps, each covering a specific body part (torso wrap, lower body wrap, upper body wrap, lower extremity wrap). This segmentation allows surgical access to one body part without removing the entire warming device, as other wraps remain in place to maintain patient temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wrap is designed to serve multiple functions: providing active warming through forced air convection, allowing surgical access through transparent or translucent material, and enabling DVT prevention through integrated compression capability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for each purpose.
2Temperature
If forced air convective warming devices are used to actively warm the patient, then normothermia is maintained, but loud noise is generated that may distract or interfere with communication
Solution Approach 1:
The warming system is segmented into multiple independent wraps, each with its own controlled air circulation. This allows the warming function to be distributed across multiple low-noise units rather than one high-noise unit, potentially reducing overall noise levels in the operating room.
3Reliability
If compression devices are used to apply intermittent pneumatic compression for DVT prevention, then venous blood flow is promoted, but stippling is caused on the patient's skin
Solution Approach 1:
The DVT prevention compression function is merged with the warming wraps through integrated compression chambers. The compression is applied through the same transparent wrap material used for warming, eliminating the need for separate opaque compression devices that cause stippling. The transparent material allows visual monitoring while providing gentle, distributed compression.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices are used for DVT prevention and active patient warming on different body portions, then both functions are provided, but device complexity increases and surgical access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Each wrap is designed as a universal device that simultaneously provides warming and DVT prevention functions. The wraps contain both heating elements for active warming and compression chambers for DVT prevention, allowing both functions to be delivered through a single device rather than requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The warming and DVT prevention functions are merged into a single integrated wrap system. The transparent wrap material encompasses both the heating elements and compression chambers, creating a unified device that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining both therapeutic functions.
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 device effectively maintains normothermia, reduces the risk of hypothermia and deep vein thrombosis, and minimizes stippling, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and patient safety by ensuring continuous heat transfer and access during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
An outer layer is attached to and covers the inner layer to form a space that holds a heat transfer medium between the inner layer and the outer layer
Implementation Method 2
The inner layer conforms snugly to the shape of an appendage of a patient so that the inner layer wraps around and substantially contacts most of an underlying surface area of the appendage
Data Source
AI summary
A compressive patient warming device is provided. The device includes an elastic inner layer that conforms snugly to a shape of an appendage of a patient so that the inner layer wraps around and substantially contacts most of an underlying surface area of the appendage. An outer layer is attached to and covers the inner layer to form a space that holds a heat transfer medium between the inner layer and the outer layer while the inner layer is wrapped around the appendage. The outer layer may be a rigid layer, and a predetermined compressive load may be applied to the outer layer to encourage blood flow in the appendage. A source of heat may be applied to the device to maintain normothermia and/or treat hypothermia.