Conformal Thermal Challenge Conduit for Reliable Infrared Surface Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for administering a temperature challenge to evoke infrared thermal responses in medical and veterinary research lack standardization and reliability, hampering accurate and reproducible IR data capture and analysis.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a reservoir, conduit, and infrared camera for controlled delivery of a medium at a predetermined temperature to a target surface region, with flexible conformability and vents to ensure even distribution, allowing for precise IR image capture and analysis at multiple timings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a standardized temperature challenge system is implemented, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIR data capture accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a reservoir for temperature-controlled medium, a conduit system with vents for controlled delivery, an infrared camera for data capture, and a processor for analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables precise control of temperature parameters through the reservoir and conduit design, allowing standardized delivery of thermal challenges at specific temperatures and durations. This parameter control directly improves measurement precision while the modular design manages the complexity trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If environmental factors are isolated from the target surface, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal response measurement reliabilityVSAvoidisolation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit system employs flexible, thin-walled construction that can conform to the target surface while maintaining thermal isolation. The vents in the conduit allow controlled thermal challenge delivery while the flexible material provides environmental isolation, improving reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit acts as an intermediary between the temperature-controlled reservoir and the target surface, delivering the thermal challenge in a controlled manner while isolating the target from direct environmental influences. This mediator approach improves measurement reliability while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple IR image captures are performed at different timings, then data analysis quality is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal response analysis qualityVSAvoidtotal analysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs continuous or near-continuous infrared image capture throughout the thermal challenge and recovery phases, ensuring that thermal response data is collected at multiple critical time points without unnecessary interruptions. This continuous measurement approach maximizes data quality while minimizing total analysis time by eliminating gaps in data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables accurate and reproducible IR data capture and analysis by isolating the target surface from environmental factors, providing precise thermal response measurements for diagnostic purposes.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared camera(s) operable to capture infrared image data of the target surface region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a conduit defining a channel for transmitting the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a fan operable to drive the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region via the conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250359765A1Infrared signal capture and analysis

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ANGIOLYTICS LLC

AI summary

A system for infrared analysis of a target surface region of a subject includes a reservoir containing a medium at a predetermined temperature and a conduit defining a channel for transmitting the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region. The conduit may have a first end that is attached to an outlet of the reservoir and a second end that is flexibly conformable to a shape corresponding to a perimeter of the target surface region. The system may further include an infrared camera(s) operable to capture infrared image data of the target surface region and one or more processors operable to produce a representation of the captured infrared image data at a plurality of timings relative to the transmission of the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region. Adjunctive reflective surfaces may ensure that IR signals from target geometric surfaces can be captured for analysis.