Flexible Heat-Transfer Device for Uniform Body-Region Therapy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal therapy devices struggle with uneven temperature distribution due to air pockets forming between the heat transfer device and the body's uneven surface, leading to inconsistent therapeutic effects.

Innovation Solution

A heat transfer device with a flexible material and a pressure device to maintain uniform contact pressure, using a flexible material with temperature control fluid chambers and a pressure unit to ensure uniform temperature distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat transfer device is used to treat a selected region of the body, then thermal therapy treatment can be applied, but uneven temperature distribution occurs due to air pockets forming between the device and the body's uneven surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidtherapeutic effect consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transfer device utilizes a flexible material that can conform to the contours of the body surface, eliminating air pockets and ensuring uniform thermal contact. This flexible shell adapts to uneven surfaces, resolving the contradiction between achieving uniform temperature distribution and maintaining reliable therapeutic effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

A pressure unit filled with fluid is incorporated into the heat transfer device to apply uniform pressure across the contact surface. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism eliminates air pockets by maintaining constant pressure, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution and consistent therapeutic effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If a pressure device is added to maintain uniform contact pressure, then temperature distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure unit serves multiple functions: it maintains uniform contact pressure to eliminate air pockets, distributes force evenly across the contact surface, and works in conjunction with the temperature control fluid chambers. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by achieving uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure unit and temperature control fluid chambers are integrated into a single heat transfer device structure. By merging these components, the device achieves uniform temperature distribution through coordinated action of pressure application and thermal fluid circulation, managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Achieves uniform temperature distribution across the treated region, enhancing therapeutic effects such as improved blood flow and reduced side effects from chemotherapy by maintaining consistent temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

a heat transfer device (2), which is arranged to transfer heat to the selected region of the body, and which is further arranged to temper the heat transfer device (2) with a heat transferring temperature control fluid flowing through the heat transfer device (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a pressure unit (11) which is arranged to at least partially subject the heat transfer unit (4) to a pressure, which is then absorbed by the portion of the body to be treated as a contact pressure of the heat transfer device (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure application: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS12409061B2Apparatus for thermal therapy treatment of a selected region of the body of a human or of an animal and method of operating said apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 HILOTHERM HLDG

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for use in the thermal therapy treatment of a selected region of the body of a human or of an animal, in particular for use in the treatment of tissue damage after surgical interventions, of injuries, of inflammations and of chronic diseases of the rheumatic type, and in particular for assisting chemotherapeutic treatments, comprising a temperature control device which is provided in order to control a temperature of a temperature control fluid, and a heat transfer device which is arranged to transfer heat to the selected region of the body, wherein the temperature control device is connected, in a fluid conducting manner, to the heat transfer device, and is further arranged to temper the heat transfer device with a heat transferring temperature control fluid flowing through the heat transfer device, and with a control device which is connected to the temperature control device and to the heat transfer device, wherein the control device is arranged to control the temperature control device, in order to cause the heat transfer device to be at least partially at an approximately uniform temperature in the region of a contact surface between the heat transfer device and the selected region of the body to be temperature controlled. The invention further relates to a method of operating the device.