Ice Water Immersion Bag With Sealed Access Ports for Heat Stroke Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a portable and non-hospital based apparatus and method to provide aggressive cooling measures for hyperthermia emergencies, such as heat stroke and post cardiac arrest, which are typically available only in hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof, enclosed clear plastic bag for ice water immersion therapy that allows rapid victim placement and immediate immersion, facilitating emergency management of heat stroke, trauma, and post cardiac arrest, with features like a sealable chamber, head elevation pillow, and access ports for medical interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aggressive cooling measures are provided in hospital settings, then hyperthermia treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional components: a containment chamber for the patient, an ice compartment for cooling, and a waterproof barrier layer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall effectiveness, enabling portable aggressive cooling without hospital-level complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A waterproof barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the patient and the ice water cooling medium. This barrier prevents direct water contact while allowing efficient heat transfer, enabling effective cooling with reduced apparatus complexity and improved portability
2Loss of time
If patient is transported without removal from apparatus, then loss of time is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling therapy function and patient transport function are merged into a single integrated apparatus. The containment chamber serves both as the cooling environment and as the transport container, eliminating the need for patient transfer and reducing loss of time during emergency transport
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform both aggressive cooling therapy and safe patient transport. The waterproof containment chamber provides both the cooling medium interface and the protective transport enclosure, simplifying operation during emergency response
3Productivity
If ice water immersion is applied immediately, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but safety risks are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof barrier is implemented beforehand to cushion and protect the patient from direct exposure to ice water. This pre-established protective layer allows immediate immersion cooling to begin while preventing harmful effects such as water inhalation, hypothermia shock, and skin damage
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof barrier acts as an intermediary that enables safe immediate immersion by mediating between the cooling requirement and patient safety. It allows thermal energy transfer while blocking harmful direct water contact, achieving both cooling effectiveness and safety
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 effective on-site cooling and monitoring of victims, allowing transport to a hospital without removing the apparatus, and reducing the need for hospital-based interventions.
Implementation Method 1
Ice water immersion therapy can be beneficial in the prevention and reduction of hyperthermia
Implementation Method 2
immediate immersion into cold water/ice water
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency management system having an ice water immersion bag capable of rapidly cooling an overheated individual's body through its combination of elements, apertures, and capacity. An overheated individual is placed within the ice immersion bag, yet the individual's body may still be accessed in the event of a medical emergency through the use of one of the many openings presented throughout the bag. The openings otherwise remain sealed and waterproof to prevent the ice water from escaping the bag, further effectuating ice water immersion to rapidly cool the overheated individual.