Therapeutic Hypothermia System with Exhalation Feedback Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inducing hypothermia by introducing frozen particles into a patient's respiratory system lack control mechanisms to prevent overcooling and ensure rapid attainment and maintenance of a target core body temperature.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that deliver frozen particles to a patient's respiratory system, with temperature monitoring of exhaled gases to adjust the amount and rate of particle delivery, using a conduit system and a controller to maintain core body temperature within a desired range, and include sensors for detecting abnormal conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If frozen particles are introduced into the patient's respiratory system to induce hypothermia, then the core body temperature is reduced, but the patient may be cooled beyond the desired therapeutic range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore body temperatureVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors exhalation temperature and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the delivery rate of frozen particles. The controller compares the measured exhalation temperature against a target temperature range and modulates the frozen particle delivery accordingly, preventing overcooling while maintaining the desired therapeutic hypothermia effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the delivery parameters of frozen particles based on real-time temperature measurements. By adjusting the amount and rate of frozen particle delivery according to measured exhalation temperature, the system maintains precise control over the cooling process and keeps the patient's core temperature within the therapeutic range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If frozen particles are delivered rapidly to achieve target temperature quickly, then the attainment speed increases, but the risk of overcooling and complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature attainment rateVSAvoidovercooling risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Real-time monitoring of exhalation temperature provides continuous feedback that allows the system to rapidly deliver frozen particles when the patient's temperature is above target while automatically reducing or stopping delivery when the target temperature is reached or exceeded, thus achieving rapid cooling without overcooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the frozen particle delivery rate based on the patient's current temperature state. During the cooling phase, particles are delivered at higher rates to achieve rapid temperature reduction, while during the maintenance phase, delivery is precisely modulated to prevent overcooling, creating a dynamic adaptive control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the amount of frozen particles is increased to maintain target temperature, then the temperature control accuracy improves, but the risk of pulmonary edema and other complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control accuracyVSAvoidpulmonary edema risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses exhalation temperature feedback to precisely control frozen particle delivery, delivering particles only when and where needed to maintain target temperature. This precise feedback control avoids excessive particle delivery that could cause pulmonary edema while maintaining accurate temperature control within the therapeutic range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses exhalation temperature as an intermediary measurement that reflects core body temperature without requiring direct contact with core tissues. This indirect measurement method allows for accurate temperature monitoring and control while minimizing the risk of complications associated with direct core temperature manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 precise control of core body temperature, reducing the risk of overcooling and allowing for rapid attainment and maintenance of a target temperature, while detecting potential complications such as pulmonary edema.

Implementation Method 1

the particles are usually ice, comprising mostly or entirely water or saline, but could also be frozen carbon dioxide or other non-toxic materials which can melt or sublimate to absorb body heat as a result of an enthalpy of melting or sublimation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnthalpy of melting: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Data Source

PatentUS11357949B2Temperature measurement and feedback for therapeutic hypothermia

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 QOOL THERAPEUTICS

AI summary

A treatment system includes a delivery device which delivers a combination of a breathing gas and frozen ice or other particles to a patient in order to induce hypothermia. The treatment system also includes a temperature system for measuring the temperature of exhaled gases and a controller which can adjust the duration or rate at which the ice particles are delivered in order to control the patient's core temperature based on the measured exhalation gas temperature.