Patient Fever Cooling System with Fluid Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-medicinal fever reduction methods, such as cooling cloths and lukewarm baths, face challenges in temperature regulation, while medicinal treatments like ibuprofen can cause adverse side effects, highlighting the need for an effective cooling system for patients with fever.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical, fluid-based cooling system comprising a temperature-controlled reservoir, chiller, and cooling pad with embedded channels and a circulation system to manage and apply cooling fluid effectively, ensuring consistent temperature regulation and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cool, damp cloth is placed on the forehead for fever reduction, then the patient experiences cooling effect, but the temperature of the cooling cloth is difficult to regulate and requires constant water replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system automatically regulates its own temperature through an integrated temperature sensor and control mechanism that activates the cooling apparatus when the cooling pad temperature rises, eliminating the need for manual intervention to replace water or adjust temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the cooling pad temperature and provides feedback to the control circuit, which automatically activates the cooling mechanism when temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring consistent temperature regulation
2Temperature
If a lukewarm bath is used for fever reduction, then the patient experiences cooling effect, but the same temperature regulation issues occur as with cooling cloths
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system automatically maintains the cooling fluid at the desired temperature through self-regulating mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual temperature adjustment or water replacement that plagues traditional bath methods
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor continuously monitors the cooling fluid temperature and triggers the cooling apparatus when temperature rises above the predetermined threshold, providing automatic temperature control without manual intervention
3Temperature
If analgesics such as ibuprofen are used for fever reduction, then the temperature is lowered effectively, but adverse side effects such as gastrointestinal ulceration, liver enzyme elevation, and other complications may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical/pharmacological intervention with a physical cooling mechanism that uses thermal energy transfer through a cooling pad and fluid circulation system to reduce fever without introducing chemical substances into the body that could cause adverse side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid acts as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy from the patient's body to the cooling reservoir, providing fever reduction through physical heat transfer rather than chemical intervention, thereby avoiding gastrointestinal and hepatic side effects
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 and controlled fever reduction by maintaining a consistent cooling effect on the patient's skin, reducing the risk of adverse reactions associated with medicinal treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling pad (14), which is formed from a padded layer (16) having at least one channel (18) embedded therein... the cooling pad is applied to the skin of a patient with a fever... for cooling the patient via thermal transfer
Implementation Method 2
A chiller (30) is also received in the reservoir (24) for selectively cooling the cooling fluid (26) when the temperature thereof
Implementation Method 3
At least one pump is provided for selectively circulating the cooling fluid through the reservoir, the inflow tube, the cooling pad and the outflow tube
Data Source
AI summary
The cooling system for patients with fever is a mechanical, fluid-based system for cooling patients suffering from fever. The cooling system for patients with fever includes a reservoir for containing a cooling fluid, which is maintained at a desired temperature. A temperature sensor is received in the reservoir. The temperature sensor is immersed in the cooling fluid for measuring the temperature thereof. A chiller is also received in the reservoir for selectively cooling the cooling fluid when the temperature thereof, measured by the temperature sensor, is above a pre-set temperature threshold. The reservoir communicates with a cooling pad, which is formed from a padded layer having at least one channel embedded therein. At least one pump and tubing is provided for circulating the cooling fluid through the reservoir and the cooling pad. In use, the cooling pad is applied to the skin of a patient with a fever.