Elongated Heating Element for Continuous High-Flow IV Fluid Warming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rapid infusers for intravenous fluid and blood product delivery are bulky, complex to set up, limited in pressure generation, and have restricted flow rates through peripheral IVs, with a need for systems that enable easy transportation, simple setup, continuous high flow rates, and efficient fluid warming.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a housing with an elongated heating element disposed within a fluid channel, supported by conductive members and connected to electrical connectors for efficient power distribution, allowing for continuous fluid warming at high flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If rapid infusers use external pressurization or peristaltic pumps to generate pressure, then fluid delivery speed is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a complex rapid infuser system and creates a standalone fluid warmer that can be integrated with existing infusion pumps. This separates the warming capability from the pressurization mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high flow rate capability through peripheral IVs
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid warmer is designed with a universal fluid channel interface that can accommodate various IV tubing sizes and configurations. The heating element and housing create a multi-functional device that can warm different types of fluids (crystalloids, colloids, blood products) through a single platform, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices
2Productivity
If rapid infusers are designed for high flow rates through large-bore IVs, then fluid delivery capability is improved, but portability and ease of setup deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components including a housing, heating element, fluid channel, and electrical connectors. This segmentation allows for compact packaging and easy assembly during setup, while the internal configuration maintains high flow rate capability through optimized fluid pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is positioned within the fluid channel in a configuration that maximizes surface area contact without increasing the external footprint of the device. This dimensional optimization allows portable size while maintaining effective heating at high flow rates
3Use of energy by moving object
If heating elements are placed in direct contact with fluid channels, then heating efficiency is improved, but turbulence and shear forces on fluid increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned within the fluid channel at specific locations where it can transfer heat efficiently without creating turbulence. The local configuration of the heating element relative to the fluid flow path optimizes heat transfer while maintaining laminar flow conditions, reducing shear forces on the fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid channel acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the bulk fluid. This intermediate structure allows controlled heat transfer from the heating element to the fluid while the channel geometry maintains smooth flow patterns, preventing direct disruption of the fluid stream that would cause turbulence
4Reliability
If fluid warming is performed at high flow rates, then patient benefit is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary warming of the fluid as it passes through the heating element before the fluid reaches the patient. This advance heating action ensures that even at high flow rates, the fluid is warmed to the appropriate temperature, providing reliable patient benefit while controlling energy consumption through efficient heat transfer timing
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 efficient, consistent, and energy-effective fluid warming at high flow rates, ensuring portability and ease of setup, while minimizing turbulence and shear forces on the fluid.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated heating element can have an outer surface (e.g., an entirety of the outer surface of the heating element) spaced from each of the one or more channel walls such that fluid within the fluid channel can flow between the one or more channel walls and the outer surface of the elongated heating element
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a system includes a housing, an elongated heating element, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. The housing can define a fluid channel extending from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. The elongated heating element can be disposed within the fluid channel. The first electrical connector can be electrically coupled to a first portion of the elongated heating element and the second electrical connector can be electrically coupled to a second portion of the elongated heating element. Energy can be provided from a power source to the elongated heating element via one of the first electrical connector or the second electrical connector to increase the temperature of the elongated heating element.