Eutectic Blood Cooling System Using Phase Change Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood cooling systems using butane-1,4-diol face challenges such as pre-warming requirements, declining heat-absorbing capacity at high ambient temperatures, and temperature maintenance issues, especially at extreme temperatures, which affect blood product quality and logistics.
Innovation Solution
A blood-unit cooling system employing a eutectic solution of 98% 1-dodecanol, 1.5% myristyl alcohol, and 0.5% 1-decanol in a sealed flexible polymer layer, designed to rapidly cool and maintain blood at 22°C, even in temperature extremes, with a compact and flexible design for efficient transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If butane-1,4-diol cooling plates are used for rapid cooling of blood, then cooling speed is improved, but the system requires pre-warming at 4-16°C before use which increases preparation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the phase change material from butane-1,4-diol (melting point 20°C) to a eutectic mixture of alcohols with melting point 23°C. This parameter change allows the cooling plate to be used directly at ambient temperatures without requiring pre-warming to 4-16°C, eliminating the time loss while maintaining rapid cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite eutectic mixture of three alcohols (1-dodecanol, myristyl alcohol, and 1-decanol) instead of a single pure substance. This composite material achieves the desired melting point of 23°C through eutectic effect, enabling direct use at ambient temperatures without pre-warming requirements
2Ease of operation
If butane-1,4-diol cooling plates are stored at ambient temperatures above 18°C, then storage convenience is improved, but heat-absorbing capacity declines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the melting point parameter of the phase change material from 20°C (butane-1,4-diol) to 23°C (eutectic alcohol mixture). This ensures the material remains in its phase change state at ambient temperatures up to 23°C, maintaining reliable heat-absorbing capacity throughout the storage and transport period without degradation
3Adaptability or versatility
If butane-1,4-diol cooling plates are used at extreme cold temperatures (-35°C), then environmental adaptability is improved, but temperature maintenance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the melting point parameter to 23°C, which provides a wider operational temperature range. At extreme cold temperatures of -35°C, the eutectic mixture maintains its phase change properties and can still effectively cool and maintain blood temperature, whereas butane-1,4-diol fails to maintain desired temperature for more than 2 hours
4Speed
If butane-1,4-diol is used for cooling, then rapid cooling to 22°C is achieved, but the material absorbs humidity over time which alters its melting temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite eutectic mixture of three alcohols instead of pure butane-1,4-diol. This composite material has superior hygroscopic resistance and maintains stable melting temperature (23°C) over time, preventing the humidity-induced composition changes that occur with butane-1,4-diol storage
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 effectively cools blood to 22°C within 2 hours and maintains this temperature for several hours, even in extreme conditions, improving blood product quality and reducing logistical challenges compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The system employs a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol, 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (melting point of 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, to cool whole blood-filled bags
Implementation Method 2
In gel phase, butane-1,4-diol absorbs heat from freshly collected blood. When the gel temperature reaches its phase change (melting) temperature, butane-1,4-diol can then absorb a lot of heat while maintaining a constant temperature of 18° C.
Data Source
AI summary
A new blood unit cooling system was designed to cool blood rapidly to about 22° C. and maintain it at about that temperature, even in ambient temperature extremes, for several hours. The system incorporating a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (having a melting point of about 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, was used to cool whole blood-filled bags. The preferred design uses inner and outer containers, each made of transparent polyethylene sheets, where the inner compartments are filled with the solution and sealed, and then placed into each compartment in an outer container, wherein two compartments in the outer container are separated by a flattened and sealed portion of the polyethylene.