Endovascular Temperature Control with Pulse Damping and Component Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling body temperature, such as endovascular temperature management, face challenges in efficiently managing temperature fluctuations and ensuring the quality and authenticity of disposable components used in heat exchange systems.

Innovation Solution

The development of a system that includes a pulse damping conduit for thermal exchange fluid, an extracorporeal control system with encoded components for verification, and a thermal exchange engine with refrigerant and heater plates for precise temperature control, along with a display system for monitoring temperature data and minimizing ambient temperature effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat exchange catheter is used for endovascular temperature management, then body temperature can be controlled, but temperature fluctuations and instability occur in the thermal exchange fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody temperature controlVSAvoidtemperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A pulse damper is integrated into the thermal exchange fluid circuit to absorb and dampen pressure pulses and flow fluctuations before they reach the heat exchange catheter. This beforehand cushioning of hydraulic shocks and pulses stabilizes the thermal exchange fluid flow, thereby improving temperature control stability during endovascular temperature management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If disposable components are used in heat exchange systems, then ease of operation and sterility are improved, but verification of component quality and authenticity becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility and ease of useVSAvoidcomponent verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Unique identifier codes are embedded in disposable components, creating a digital copy or representation of the component's identity and quality attributes. The system controller reads these codes to verify component authenticity and quality without requiring physical inspection, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability through automated verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If precise temperature control is implemented, then temperature management effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal exchange fluid temperature and provide feedback to the system controller. The controller automatically adjusts the thermal exchange fluid temperature based on this feedback to maintain precise temperature control, achieving high measurement precision through a relatively simple closed-loop control mechanism rather than complex mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual temperature monitoring and adjustment mechanisms are replaced with electronic temperature sensors and automated control systems. This substitution of mechanical operations with electronic sensing and control achieves precise temperature management while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through integration and automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This system enables efficient and controlled body temperature management by damping fluid pulses, verifying component authenticity, and maintaining precise temperature control, thereby enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of temperature regulation.

Implementation Method 1

The pulse damping conduit may comprise, for example, tubing that has sufficient elastic or flexural properties to dampen or reduce the amplitude of pulses in the thermal exchange fluid as it flows therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

As the thermal exchange fluid circulates through the catheter's heat exchanger, it exchanges heat with blood flowing past the heat exchange in the blood vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)