Heat Pipe Assembly for Surgical Fluid Pre-Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical systems do not effectively pre-heat fluids introduced into patients during surgical procedures, which can lead to discomfort due to temperature differentials.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system that includes a heat pipe assembly integrated into the control box, which harnesses waste heat from electronic components to pre-heat fluids flowing through the fluid inflow tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If room temperature fluid is used during surgical procedures, then the surgical system is simple and easy to operate, but the patient experiences discomfort due to temperature differential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidtemperature differential discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the waste heat generated by electronic components (which would otherwise be a harmful factor causing overheating) into a beneficial resource for pre-heating the surgical fluid. The heat pipe assembly captures thermal energy from components like the power supply and motor control assembly, and transfers it to the fluid flowing through the inflow tube, thereby eliminating temperature differential discomfort while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The control box is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the surgical instrument, manages power supply, and simultaneously serves as a heat source for fluid pre-heating. The heat pipe assembly integrates thermal management and fluid heating functions into a single component, allowing the system to address both electronic cooling and fluid temperature requirements without adding separate heating equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate heating system is added to pre-heat fluid, then patient comfort is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature differential discomfortVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating function with the existing control box by integrating a heat pipe assembly that utilizes waste heat from electronic components. This eliminates the need for separate heating equipment, external power sources, or additional control systems, thereby improving patient comfort while maintaining device simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own internal waste heat to pre-heat the fluid, making the heating process self-sufficient. The electronic components that generate waste heat during normal operation automatically serve as the heat source, eliminating the need for external energy input or additional heating infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 efficiently pre-heats the fluid to a comfortable temperature for the patient, reducing discomfort and improving the surgical experience.

Implementation Method 1

a heat pipe assembly disposed in thermal communication with the one or more waste heat-generating electronic components. The fluid inflow tube is disposed in thermal communication with the heat pipe assembly of the control box such that the heat pipe assembly conducts heat away from the one or more waste heat-generating electronic components and heats fluid flowing through the fluid inflow tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 2

the heat pipe assembly conducts heat away from the one or more waste heat-generating electronic components and heats fluid flowing through the fluid inflow tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12324768B2Devices, systems, and methods for pre-heating fluid to be introduced into a patient during a surgical procedure

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical system includes a fluid source including a fluid inflow tube, a fluid delivery device coupled to the fluid inflow tube and configured to deliver fluid from the fluid source into a patient, a surgical instrument, and a control box coupled to the surgical instrument. The control box includes one or more waste heat-generating electronic components and a heat pipe assembly disposed in thermal communication with the one or more waste heat-generating electronic components. The fluid inflow tube is disposed in thermal communication with the heat pipe assembly of the control box such that the heat pipe assembly conducts heat away from the one or more waste heat-generating electronic components and heats fluid flowing through the fluid inflow tube.