In-Dwelling Heat Exchange Catheter Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling body temperature, such as hypothermia or hyperthermia, are either invasive, inefficient, or lack precise control, particularly in clinical settings, limiting their effectiveness and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A microprocessor-based controller system that modulates the temperature of a heat transfer fluid within a catheter, using a heat exchanger and pump to efficiently and precisely regulate body temperature, with sensors for feedback and safety monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional heating or cooling methods (blankets, warm baths) are used, then the treatment is simple to implement, but the heating/cooling efficiency is low and treatment time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluid circulation system where a heat transfer fluid is pumped through a catheter inserted into the patient's body. The pump delivers the fluid under pressure through tubing to a heat exchange catheter positioned in contact with the target tissue, enabling efficient thermal energy transfer directly to the treatment site without relying on slow conductive or radiative heating methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary substance between the external heat source and the patient's body. This fluid circulates through a closed-loop system, absorbing or releasing thermal energy at a heat exchanger and then transferring it directly to the target tissue via the catheter, thereby mediating the thermal transfer process and significantly improving efficiency compared to direct external heating methods.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external heat application (warming blankets, lamps) is used, then the method is non-invasive, but the heat transfer to body core is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a pump-driven fluid circulation system to deliver heated or cooled fluid directly to the target tissue through a catheter. This hydraulic approach enables rapid thermal energy delivery to the body core or specific organs, bypassing the slow external conduction and radiation processes while minimizing invasiveness through percutaneous catheter insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer fluid serves as a mediator that carries thermal energy from an external heat exchanger directly to the target tissue. This intermediary approach allows efficient heat delivery to internal organs without requiring extensive external surface area contact, thereby achieving fast heat transfer with minimal invasiveness.
3Productivity
If rapid temperature change is applied, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the risk of thermal injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the temperature at the treatment site and feed this information back to the control system. The controller adjusts the pump flow rate and heat exchanger parameters in real-time based on this feedback, enabling rapid temperature changes when needed while automatically preventing thermal injury by reducing or stopping heating/cooling when the target temperature is reached or exceeded.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including pump flow rate, heat exchanger temperature, and fluid circulation speed based on real-time temperature measurements and treatment requirements. This dynamic control enables the system to deliver rapid temperature changes for therapeutic effect while automatically modulating parameters to prevent thermal injury, achieving both effectiveness and safety.
4Measurement precision
If a programmable microprocessor-based control system is implemented, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors positioned at the treatment site to continuously measure actual tissue temperature. This measurement is fed back to a programmable microprocessor controller that compares the measured temperature against the prescribed target temperature and automatically adjusts pump flow rate and heat exchanger parameters. This feedback mechanism achieves precise temperature control despite the added complexity of the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control methods with an automated microprocessor-based control system. The programmable controller uses electronic sensors, signal processing, and automated pump/heat exchanger control to achieve precise temperature regulation, substituting complex electronic control for simpler but less precise manual or mechanical control approaches.
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 provides rapid, efficient, and controlled heating or cooling of a patient's body temperature, enhancing therapeutic outcomes and reducing treatment time while minimizing invasiveness and operational risks.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger and pump to efficiently and precisely regulate body temperature
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger and pump to efficiently and precisely regulate body temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette is attached to the circulatory conduits of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. The control unit includes a heater/cooler device for providing heated or cooled fluid to a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fluid heat exchange medium circulating to the heat exchange catheter, a user input device, and a processor connected to receive input from various sensors around the body and the system. A temperature control scheme for ramping the body temperature up or down without overshoot is provided.