Dual-Circuit Temperature Control System for Adaptive Patient Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for medical treatments, such as chemotherapy-induced hair loss prevention, fail to adapt to individual patient needs, leading to discomfort or ineffective treatment due to mismatched cooling requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dual temperature control system with separate peripheral and evaporator fluid circuits, each with a heat exchanger, pump, and evaporator circuit, allowing for independent control of fluid flow rates and temperatures to optimize heat exchange based on patient-specific needs, using temperature sensors and a controller to regulate the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single heat exchanger and single pump system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to individual patient cooling requirements leading to over-cooling or insufficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cooling apparatus into multiple independent circuits - a first circuit with a first heat exchanger and first pump, and a second circuit with a second heat exchanger and second pump. Each circuit can be independently controlled to match individual patient cooling requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by creating modular, independently controllable units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic control through independent variable speed pumps and controllable heat exchangers in each circuit. The controller adjusts flow rates and heat exchange parameters in real-time based on patient-specific needs, enabling the system to adapt dynamically rather than operating at fixed parameters, thus achieving high adaptability without excessive complexity.
2Speed
If a single circuit system is used, then the system is easy to operate, but the heat transfer rate cannot respond quickly to changing cooling demands
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into multiple independent circuits with separate pumps and heat exchangers, each circuit can respond independently to cooling demands. This segmentation enables faster overall system response to changing heat transfer requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized circuit designs that are easily controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and a controller that monitor cooling effectiveness and adjust pump speeds and heat exchanger operations in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables rapid response to changing cooling demands by automatically adjusting heat transfer rates based on actual patient needs, achieving fast response without complex manual operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If one cooling cap is used for multiple patients, then the system reduces cost, but cooling requirements of different patients cannot be matched
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by designing multiple circuits with identical components (pumps, heat exchangers, controllers) that can be configured for different patients. Each circuit is a universal module that can be independently adjusted to match any patient's cooling requirements, allowing the same hardware platform to serve multiple patients with different needs without requiring entirely different systems for each.
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 provides highly adaptable and responsive heat regulation, ensuring accurate and comfortable temperature control for each patient, preventing both over-cooling and under-cooling, thus enhancing treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
the first peripheral-evaporator heat exchanger (316) being configured to permit heat exchange between the heat exchanger fluids
Implementation Method 2
a first peripheral pump (318) for pumping the first heat exchanger fluid around the first peripheral fluid circuit (312); a first evaporator pump (322) for pumping the evaporator heat exchanger fluid around the first evaporator circuit (320)
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control system comprising a first peripheral fluid circuit for the passage of a first heat exchanger fluid. The first peripheral fluid circuit comprises a first fluid connection for fluidly connecting a first peripheral heat exchanger in series with a first peripheral-evaporator heat exchanger. There is also provided a first peripheral pump for pumping the first heat exchanger fluid around the first peripheral fluid circuit. There is also provided a first evaporator circuit for the passage of an evaporator heat exchanger fluid through the first peripheral-evaporator heat exchanger. The first evaporator circuit comprises a first evaporator pump for pumping the evaporator heat exchanger fluid around the first evaporator circuit. The first evaporator circuit is fluidly isolated from the first peripheral fluid circuit. The first peripheral-evaporator heat exchanger is configured to permit heat exchange between the heat exchanger fluids.