Flexible Thermal Transfer Device with Tortuous Fluid Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal transfer devices, such as electric blankets and fluid-based sleeves, are cumbersome, fail to conform optimally to patient anatomy, and complicate medical procedures due to numerous fluid lines, hindering effective temperature management and maneuverability in healthcare settings.
Innovation Solution
A patient temperature management system featuring a thermal transfer device with a flexible layer that conforms to the mattress and patient, utilizing a tortuous fluid flow path with fewer hoses for efficient heat transfer and improved accessibility, along with a console for regulating fluid temperature and circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid-based thermal transfer sleeves are used simultaneously on different patient body parts, then thermal treatment coverage is improved, but the number of fluid lines increases significantly making decoupling and recoupling laborious and hindering maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple thermal transfer sleeves into a single integrated system that shares common fluid lines. The console connects to multiple sleeves through a reduced number of fluid lines, allowing thermal treatment of multiple body parts simultaneously while minimizing the complexity of fluid line management and improving maneuverability during coupling and decoupling operations.
2Temperature
If traditional electric blankets are used for thermal treatment, then thermal coverage is provided, but the device is cumbersome and fails to conform optimally to patient anatomy for effective heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thermal transfer sleeves that can be wrapped around specific patient body parts. These sleeves conform to the contours of the patient's anatomy, ensuring optimal thermal contact and effective heat transfer. The flexible design allows the sleeves to adapt to different body shapes and sizes, improving both thermal treatment effectiveness and ease of application compared to rigid electric blankets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous fluid lines are used to connect multiple thermal sleeves to the console, then comprehensive thermal treatment is achieved, but the presence of fluid lines significantly hinders maneuverability of medical professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid line system into modular components with standardized connections. The console and thermal sleeves are designed with compatible connectors that simplify coupling and decoupling operations. This segmentation allows medical professionals to easily attach and detach individual sleeves without managing a complex tangle of fluid lines, thereby improving maneuverability while maintaining comprehensive thermal treatment capability.
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
Enhances patient comfort and thermal communication, reduces the labor of coupling and decoupling, and improves maneuverability for medical professionals by maximizing contact area and minimizing the number of hoses, thus providing effective and efficient thermal treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid flow path is arranged in a tortuous manner to maximize thermal communication with the patient
Implementation Method 2
conditioned fluid is circulated through the fluid flow path to supply heat to or remove heat from the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal transfer device for providing thermal treatment to a patient. A patient support portion supporting and contacting the patient includes a first segment of a fluid flow path to receive a fluid from a fluid source. A flexible covering coupled and movable relative to the patient support portion defines a space therebetween that substantially conforms to the patient. The flexible covering includes a second segment of the fluid flow path. The fluid is circulated through an inlet, an outlet, and fluid flow path for supplying heat to or removing heat from the patient support portion and the flexible covering. A fluid circulation system with a controller may selectively adjust heat transfer from temperature zones defining the patient support portion. The thermal transfer device or a mattress cover may provide for controlling the microclimate, or conditions at or near the interface between the patient and the patient support portion.