Glabrous Skin Temperature Device with Dynamic Negative Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for regulating mammalian body temperature, particularly through glabrous skin surfaces, face challenges in creating effective seals to apply negative pressure, leading to limitations in blood flow and inefficiency in temperature modulation, especially in athletic, medical, and occupational contexts.
Innovation Solution
A body temperature modifying device comprising a heat exchange unit connected to a glabrous skin contact unit with a housing that includes a bladder and a protuberance, allowing for controlled negative pressure application and efficient heat transfer, using a temperature transfer fluid to adjust body temperature, and optionally incorporating biometric sensors for optimal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If negative pressure is applied to create effective seals in existing devices, then temperature modulation effectiveness is improved, but blood flow is limited due to excessive pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies negative pressure in controlled increments rather than applying maximum pressure continuously. The system monitors physiological responses and adjusts pressure levels dynamically, changing the parameter of pressure application from static to dynamic control, thereby maintaining blood flow while achieving effective temperature modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The negative pressure is applied intermittently rather than continuously. The system cycles between applying negative pressure for temperature modulation and releasing pressure to maintain blood flow, creating a periodic action pattern that balances thermal effectiveness with circulatory health.
2Productivity
If complicated seals are used to ensure proper negative pressure application, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible bladder made of elastic material that can deform to conform to the body surface. This flexible membrane acts as the sealing element, eliminating the need for complicated rigid seals while maintaining the ability to apply negative pressure effectively through the elastic deformation of the bladder wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sealing systems with a pressure-driven elastic deformation mechanism. Instead of relying on complicated seal geometries, the system uses the elastic properties of the bladder material and negative pressure to create the necessary seal, substituting mechanical complexity with material science principles.
3Measurement precision
If glabrous skin contact devices are used for temperature modulation, then temperature control precision is improved, but comfort is reduced due to pressure application
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure parameter based on real-time physiological feedback. By monitoring blood flow and comfort indicators, the system modifies pressure levels to maintain the minimum necessary for temperature control while maximizing comfort, changing the pressure parameter from fixed to adaptive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor physiological responses to pressure application. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when pressure is causing discomfort or compromising blood flow, and automatically adjust pressure levels to maintain precision temperature control while preserving user comfort.
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 regulates body temperature by minimizing parasitic heat loss and optimizing blood flow, enhancing comfort and performance in various situations by allowing selective and intermittent use of negative pressure, thereby improving athletic performance and temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange unit connected by at least one tubing unit to a glabrous skin contact unit... operating the heat exchange unit with a temperature transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
the glabrous skin contact unit further comprises a means for creating negative pressure and in some embodiments, the means for creating negative pressure creates from about 0.5 mm-Hg to about 50 mm-Hg of pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for regulating mammalian body temperature are provided. In practicing the methods, devices including glabrous skin contact devices, heat exchange devices and devices comprising both glabrous skin contact devices and heat exchange devices are used to contact the glabrous skin of a mammal with a warming or cooling and with optional negative pressure thereby regulating the mammal's body temperature. The devices, methods, and systems can find uses in athletic, medical, and occupational health settings.