Flat Plate Warming System for Dialysis Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warming systems for medical fluids in peritoneal dialysis are cumbersome and hinder patient mobility due to their size and weight, as they often rely on metallic basins and high voltage, which limits mobility and increases the risk of leakage.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight and compact warming system featuring a flat planar metal warming plate with a short rim, a polymer housing, and a 12V heater, designed to maximize heat transfer while minimizing leakage risks, including proximity sensors and visual indicators for easy operation and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a metallic basin heater is used to heat dialysis fluid, then heating effectiveness is improved, but device weight and size increase, reducing patient mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into a compact modular design with the heater element integrated directly into the dialysis fluid bag support structure, separating the heating function from the traditional bulky metallic basin design. This allows the heating capability to be maintained while significantly reducing overall device weight and size for improved patient mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional metallic basin structure to a flat planar heating surface that contacts the dialysis fluid bag directly. This dimensional change from volumetric heating chamber to surface-based heating allows effective heat transfer while minimizing device footprint and weight.
2Temperature
If a metallic basin heater is used to heat dialysis fluid, then heating effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and leakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is merged with the dialysis fluid bag support structure, combining two functions (heating and support) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate metallic basin and heater assemblies, reducing structural complexity and potential leakage points while maintaining effective heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a simplified heating structure that can be easily manufactured and potentially disposed of with the dialysis fluid bag, eliminating the need for complex, durable metallic basin construction. This approach reduces device complexity while maintaining heating effectiveness for the intended short-term use.
3Weight of moving object
If a flat plate heater is used instead of metallic basin, then device weight and size are reduced, but heat transfer efficiency may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The dialysis fluid bag itself serves as an intermediary medium between the flat plate heater and the fluid to be heated. The bag material provides direct thermal contact with the heating surface, ensuring efficient heat transfer from the flat plate through the bag wall to the dialysis fluid, eliminating the need for complex heat exchanger structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal contact parameters by using a flat plate design that creates extensive surface contact with the dialysis fluid bag. This increases the heat transfer area and improves thermal coupling between the heater and fluid, compensating for the simpler flat plate structure and maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.
4Reliability
If rim height is increased to prevent leakage, then leakage protection is improved, but device height and package size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a partial rim structure that provides sufficient leakage containment for normal operation without the full height required for complete leakage prevention. This partial action approach provides adequate protection while maintaining a compact device profile suitable for patient mobility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The dialysis fluid bag acts as a flexible containment shell that works in conjunction with the low-profile rim structure. The flexible bag material provides additional leakage prevention through its conformability and sealing properties, allowing effective leakage protection with minimal rim height and compact overall device dimensions.
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 significantly enhances patient mobility by reducing the weight and size of the warming device, improving ease of use and safety through efficient heat transfer and leakage containment, while allowing for easy transportation and visual indication of warming status.
Implementation Method 1
a heater element attached to the warming plate to conduct heat through the warming plate and bag into the contained infusible liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An extremely lightweight and compact heating system greatly increasing patient mobility is provided. The use of a flat plate can be used to greatly decrease package size and weight while providing comparable heat transfer by exploiting the ability of the dialysis bags to conform to this surface and through the greater heating area possible with the flat plate design. A short rim around the plate provides centering and protecting against minor leakage without substantially increasing package height. Protection against leakage is buttressed by sealing the rim to the plate and the use of 12 V only within the heating unit. The result is a lightweight warming device with a short that can be easily transported by the patient greatly improving patient lifestyle and freedom.