Dry Thawing Assembly With Agitation for Uniform Biofluid Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for thawing biological substances, such as plasma and blood, often result in inconsistent temperature control, leading to risks of hypothermia or protein denaturation due to underheating or overheating, which can endanger patients.
Innovation Solution
A dry thawing device with multiple heating assemblies and an agitation mechanism that dynamically controls heat based on temperature measurements, ensuring consistent thawing by pivoting and sliding configurations to evenly distribute heat and monitor temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional thawing methods are used, then the biological substance can be thawed, but the temperature control is inconsistent leading to underheating or overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using temperature sensors that continuously monitor the biological substance temperature and adjust heating element power accordingly. The controller receives temperature data and modulates heating to maintain the substance within a safe temperature range, preventing both underheating and overheating conditions that could harm patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system transitions from static traditional methods to dynamic control where heating power is continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements. The system adapts heating intensity throughout the thawing process, increasing power when temperature is low and reducing power when temperature approaches the target range, ensuring consistent and safe thawing.
2Productivity
If heating power is increased to speed up thawing, then productivity improves, but the risk of overheating and protein denaturation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system allows high heating power to be applied during early thawing stages when the biological substance is still cold, maximizing thawing speed. As the substance approaches the target temperature, the controller automatically reduces power to prevent overheating and protein denaturation, thus achieving both fast thawing and temperature safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system employs periodic cycles of high-power heating followed by lower-power maintenance heating. During initial phases, intense heating rapidly raises temperature to improve productivity. As the substance nears the desired temperature range, heating transitions to periodic or reduced-power mode to prevent thermal runaway and protein damage, balancing speed with safety.
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 provides precise temperature control, reducing the risk of patient harm by ensuring uniform thawing and maintaining the quality of biological substances.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating assembly coupled to the chamber frame. The first heating assembly has a heater configured to be in thermal communication with an enclosed biological substance that is received within the chamber frame
Implementation Method 2
a second heating assembly can be mounted on the chamber door... the second heating assembly can have a heater that, when the chamber door is in a closed position, is configured to be in thermal communication with an enclosed biological substance
Implementation Method 3
an agitation device mounted within the chamber frame and configured to cause the first heating assembly to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the chamber frame such that the first heating assembly can agitate an enclosed biological substance
Data Source
AI summary
Dry thawing systems and devices for thawing biological substances are provided herein. Methods for thawing biological substances are also provided.


