Hyperthermia System Localized Fluid Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hyperthermia treatments face challenges in efficiently and safely raising body temperature to induce tumor necrosis without damaging surrounding tissues, due to difficulties in temperature control, risk of contamination, and cumbersome equipment.
Innovation Solution
A compact and safe hyperthermia system that heats therapeutic fluids to a few degrees above normothermic temperatures and circulates them through a body cavity at optimized flow rates, using a portable device with temperature and pressure monitoring, and an override circuit for safety, along with disposable sets made of sterilizable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If extracorporeal heat exchange circuit is used to raise patient body temperature to 41.5-42°C, then tumor necrosis is induced, but severe cardiovascular compromise and liver tumor necrosis occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by targeting hyperthermia treatment to specific anatomical regions (body cavities, tumors) rather than heating the entire body. The system uses catheters and heat exchangers to deliver heat locally to the treatment area, allowing tumor temperatures to reach 41.5-42°C while keeping surrounding normal tissue at safer temperatures, thus inducing tumor necrosis without causing systemic cardiovascular compromise or liver damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary approach by using a controlled fluid circulation system with heat exchangers as mediators between the heat source and the target tissue. The system circulates heated fluid through catheters positioned in body cavities or around tumors, providing controlled heat transfer that prevents direct thermal damage to surrounding organs while achieving therapeutic temperatures in the treatment area
2Temperature
If body temperature is maintained at 41.5-42°C for three to four hours, then tumor necrosis is achieved, but serum transaminases and bilirubin elevation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by confining hyperthermia treatment to specific anatomical regions rather than heating the entire body. Catheters and heat exchangers are positioned to deliver heat locally to tumors or body cavities, allowing prolonged exposure (3-4 hours) at therapeutic temperatures in the treatment area while preventing systemic metabolic disturbances that would cause serum transaminase and bilirubin elevation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a controlled fluid circulation system with heat exchangers as intermediaries to provide sustained heat transfer only to the treatment area. This mediated approach allows prolonged hyperthermic treatment (3-4 hours) to achieve tumor necrosis while preventing systemic metabolic stress that would result in elevated serum transaminases and bilirubin
3Productivity
If heated therapeutic fluids are circulated through patient's body at elevated temperatures and flow rates, then hyperthermia treatment is delivered, but tissue damage and patient detriment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing heated therapeutic fluids to specific anatomical regions through catheters and heat exchangers rather than circulating them throughout the entire body. This localized delivery allows high flow rates and elevated temperatures (41.5-42°C) to be maintained in the treatment area for effective tumor treatment while preventing thermal damage to surrounding normal tissues and organs
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs heat exchangers and catheters as intermediaries between the heated fluid source and the target tissue. These intermediaries provide controlled, localized heat transfer that enables effective hyperthermia treatment delivery with high flow rates while preventing uncontrolled thermal damage to the patient's body
4Productivity
If conventional hyperthermia equipment is used, then treatment can be performed, but equipment is large and cumbersome for hospital quarters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hyperthermia system into modular, portable components that can be easily positioned in hospital quarters. The system uses separate catheters, heat exchangers, and control units that can be independently positioned and adjusted, replacing the need for large, cumbersome conventional equipment while maintaining full treatment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical heating systems with a more streamlined approach using heat exchangers and controlled fluid circulation. This substitution reduces the overall equipment footprint and eliminates the need for large mechanical heating apparatus, making the system suitable for standard hospital quarters while preserving therapeutic effectiveness
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 efficient and safe hyperthermia treatment by optimizing temperature and flow rates, reducing the risk of tissue damage and equipment-related complications, while being operator-friendly and economically feasible.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is included in the fluid path between the pump and the body cavity
Implementation Method 2
A peristaltic pump is included in the fluid path between the heat exchanger and the body cavity
Implementation Method 3
Temperature sensors are positioned in the fluid path and in the body cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An IV pole mountable, therapeutic infusate processing device is incorporated into a hypothermia system to receive therapeutic fluid(s), such as normal saline, peritioneal dialysis solution, or other crystalloid solution, to heat such therapeutic fluid(s) a few degrees centigrade above normal body temperature and to direct the resulting heated infusate to and through a selected anatomical portion of a patients body to raise the temperature of that body portion so as to affect any cancerous or other tumors that may be located therein. The processing device is provided with touch screen controls and visual indicators to facilitate its proper use; while the system further includes temperature and pressure sensors to monitor the hyperthermia processing to insure patient safety.