Fluid Warming Device Resistive Heating Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid warming devices often damage nutrients and medications due to high temperatures and introduce foreign particles, and they have limited effective heating lengths, leading to fluid cooling before reaching patients.

Innovation Solution

A fluid warming device comprising an electrical heating component, temperature sensor, and control unit that gradually warms fluids to a Thermal Neutral Zone (TNZ) between 90° F. and 100° F., maintaining this temperature through a resistive heating element and temperature feedback control, preventing overheating and extending heating duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high temperature heating (120-140°F) is used to warm fluids quickly, then heating speed is improved, but nutrient breakdown and foreign particle introduction occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating speedVSAvoidnutrient breakdown and foreign particle introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional high heating (120-140°F) to a controlled low heating range (90-100°F), transforming the heating process to prevent nutrient breakdown and foreign particle introduction while maintaining adequate heating speed through extended contact time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous heating action by extending the heating length along the fluid-carrying tube and maintaining steady low-temperature heating throughout the entire tube length, ensuring continuous heat transfer without temperature spikes that would damage nutrients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Duration of action of moving object

If heating length is extended to increase heating time, then heating duration is improved, but device size increases and fluids cool before reaching patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating durationVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heating function along the fluid-carrying tube by placing heating elements at multiple positions (first position near fluid source, second position near patient) rather than requiring a single long heating chamber, allowing distributed heating throughout the tube length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-point heating approach to a distributed spatial heating approach by positioning heating elements at multiple locations along the tube, utilizing the spatial dimension to extend heating duration without increasing the concentration of heat in one location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If housing is positioned far from patient for accessible controls, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid cooling occurs before reaching patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accessibilityVSAvoidfluid temperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control function by separating the control unit from the heating elements, allowing the control unit to be positioned remotely for ease of operation while heating elements remain distributed along the tube to maintain temperature stability throughout the fluid path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device effectively warms fluids to a safe temperature range for patient absorption, preventing nutrient breakdown and foreign particle introduction, while maintaining temperature consistency and extending heating duration without high heat exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The heating element produces resistive heat when subjected to an electrical current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The temperature sensor may be positioned near or integrated with the heating element for obtaining a more accurate temperature reading

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11464918B2Fluid warming device

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 NEONATAL PROD GRP

AI summary

A fluid warming device for warming fluids and delivering the fluids to a patient comprises an electrical heating component, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The electrical heating component warms fluid passing through a fluid-carrying tube and may be positioned along the fluid-carrying tube at a desired location or embedded in the fluid-carrying tube while the control unit is positioned such that the display and user inputs are accessible to a caregiver. The control unit activates the electrical heating component until the fluid-carrying tube is warmed to a desired temperature within a Thermal Neutral Zone (TNZ) as sensed by the temperature sensor.