Hyperthermic Treatment System Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracorporeal hyperthermia in cancer treatment and viral infections often result in severe patient injury due to excessive temperatures and lack of precise control, leading to vascular collapse or inadequate cancer cell killing.
Innovation Solution
The Hyperthermic Treatment System (HTS) employs a controlled hyperthermic treatment system with a primary and heating loop, using a heat exchanger and pumps to maintain a target body core temperature between 41.8°C and 42.2°C for 1-3 hours, with real-time monitoring and cooling to prevent adverse effects, and includes a proprietary formula for hyperthermia treatment units (HTUs) to quantify heat delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high temperature is applied to kill cancer cells and viruses, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient injury and vascular collapse risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling temperature parameters within a narrow therapeutic window (41.8°C to 42.2°C) rather than using extreme high temperatures. This controlled parameter approach maintains treatment effectiveness while minimizing thermal damage to patient tissues and vasculature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through real-time temperature monitoring of the patient's core body temperature and blood temperature. The controller adjusts heating power based on feedback from temperature sensors, ensuring the temperature remains within the safe therapeutic range and preventing overheating that could cause patient injury.
2Loss of time
If rapid heating is applied to achieve target temperature quickly, then treatment time is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action through controlled heating cycles with alternating heating and cooling phases. The heater operates in cycles rather than continuously, allowing the temperature to be raised efficiently while periodic cooling intervals prevent overheating and maintain precise temperature control within the narrow therapeutic window.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by having a cooling mechanism ready and active to counteract any temperature overshoot before it causes harm. The cooling system operates in anticipation of potential temperature excursions, allowing rapid heating phases while ensuring temperature precision is maintained through immediate corrective cooling if needed.
3Reliability
If high blood flow rate is used to deliver more heated blood, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but heat loss and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous circulation of blood through the extracorporeal circuit with controlled flow rates. Rather than intermittent high-flow bursts, the system uses steady, optimized flow rates that continuously deliver heated blood to the patient while minimizing heat loss through the circuit, ensuring sustained treatment effectiveness with reduced energy consumption.
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
This system allows for precise and safe hyperthermic treatment of cancer and viral infections, minimizing patient risk while effectively targeting cancer cells and viral infections, with controlled temperature and blood flow rates ensuring optimal treatment delivery.
Implementation Method 1
using a heat exchanger and pumps to maintain a target body core temperature between 41.8°C and 42.2°C
Implementation Method 2
with real-time monitoring and cooling to prevent adverse effects
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and for treatment of cancer and other diseases including complications from late stage viral infections by inducing hyperthermia in a patient relying on withdrawing blood from the patient and returning the withdrawn blood to the patient to establish an extracorporeal flow circuit. Blood is heated by passing through the extracorporeal circuit at a controlled rate until a target body core temperature in is achieved. Usually, the blood will be subjected to a continuously re-circulating dialysis to balance electrolytes. Additionally, the blood will be subjected to a continuously recirculating regeneration through a carbon sorbent column where toxins and contaminants are removed. The blood temperature is maintained at the target blood temperature for a treatment period, and the blood is cooled after the treatment period has been completed. The method can also be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, hepatitis, sepsis, the Epstein-Barr virus, and patients with life threatening complications from other viruses, including the COVID-19 virus. A method for removing viruses from the blood supply in an external circuit is also presented.