Hyperbaric Thermal Therapy System Using Helium-Oxygen Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical hyperbaric systems face challenges in efficiently and safely administering thermal therapy, as they often require invasive procedures, topical heating pads, or radiation, which can cause tissue damage and lack targeted thermal effects.
Innovation Solution
A bi-level therapeutic hyperbaric thermal system that independently controls the temperature and gas composition within a hyperbaric chamber, using helium-oxygen mixtures to facilitate rapid and non-invasive heating or cooling of the body, eliminating the need for invasive probes and external heating sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If topical heating pads or indwelling heating probes are used to create thermal flow to targeted tissues, then therapeutic temperature gradients can be achieved, but tissue damage occurs from higher external temperatures required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressurized gas (such as oxygen or helium-oxygen mixtures) as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal energy to the patient's body. The gas is delivered through a breathing system, allowing heat transfer via respiration without direct contact with heating elements, thus achieving therapeutic temperature gradients while avoiding tissue damage from external heat sources
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pressurized gas delivery systems to transport thermal energy. By controlling the pressure, temperature, and composition of the breathing gas, the system can deliver thermal energy internally through respiration, eliminating the need for external heating pads or invasive probes that cause tissue damage
2Temperature
If radiation heating methods are used to heat targeted tissues, then thermal therapy can be delivered, but surrounding tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables localized thermal therapy by controlling the temperature and composition of breathing gas delivered to specific regions. The thermal effect is concentrated in the respiratory system and can be targeted to specific tissues through controlled gas delivery, avoiding widespread radiation heating that damages surrounding tissues
3Temperature
If conventional hypothermal treatments using ice or thermal cooling techniques are used, then whole body cooling can be achieved, but targeted cooling effect is lost and implementation in hyperbaric environment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressurized cooling gas as an intermediary to deliver cooling therapy. The cooling gas is delivered through the breathing system, allowing non-invasive, targeted cooling of internal tissues without requiring ice packs or complex external cooling apparatus that are difficult to implement in hyperbaric environments
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
Enables targeted and efficient thermal therapy with reduced risk of tissue damage, allowing for synergistic effects with other treatments like cancer therapy, by leveraging helium's high thermal conductivity and diffusivity under hyperbaric pressures, enhancing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
leveraging helium's high thermal conductivity and diffusivity under hyperbaric pressures
Implementation Method 2
using helium-oxygen mixtures to facilitate rapid and non-invasive heating or cooling of the body
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a hyperbaric thermal therapy system for medical applications. The disclosed system allows for independent control of pressure, temperature, and gas composition in the breathing system supplying breathing gas to the patient, and optionally of the environment surrounding a patient in a hyperbaric chamber, which allows for a wide range of hyperbaric thermal therapy profiles. Such hyperbaric thermal therapy profiles may be utilized in combination with other treatments, including medicament-based treatments, to enhance the therapeutic outcomes of such other treatments.