Integrated Imaging Bed Anesthesia and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vivo imaging of animal subjects faces challenges due to subject motion and varying anesthesia levels, which affect image quality and biological function investigation, and existing imaging beds have inefficiencies in anesthesia delivery and temperature control, leading to potential health risks and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated imaging bed with anesthesia delivery and scavenging systems, along with temperature control mechanisms, that uses a compact nose cone and routing of fluids through the bed to reduce bulk and failure points, maintaining subject temperature and minimizing anesthesia exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If injected anesthetics are used to restrain the subject during scanning, then the subject can be kept relatively still, but the anesthetic depth varies over time which affects the biological functions being investigated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical injection system with a gas delivery system that uses flow control valves and regulators to deliver anesthesia gas directly to the subject's nose cone, providing more stable and controllable anesthetic delivery without the peaks and valleys associated with injection methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow sensors and pressure sensors that provide feedback to control valves, enabling automatic adjustment of gas flow rates to maintain consistent anesthetic delivery. The microprocessor monitors system conditions and adjusts delivery parameters in real-time to maintain stable anesthetic depth
2Reliability
If anesthetic gas is delivered through external tubing and separate components, then the subject can receive anesthesia, but the system has more failure points and increased bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the anesthesia delivery system directly into the imaging bed structure, combining the gas delivery channels, flow control mechanisms, and subject positioning into a single unified device. This eliminates external tubing and separate components, reducing failure points while maintaining reliable anesthesia delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging bed is designed to perform multiple functions: subject positioning, anesthesia delivery, temperature control, and waste gas scavenging. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function
3Stability of the object's composition
If the imaging bed does not have integrated temperature control, then the structure is simpler, but the subject temperature may fluctuate affecting biological functions
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is integrated into the imaging bed structure, with heating elements and temperature sensors built into the bed surface. This allows the bed to simultaneously support the subject and regulate temperature, adding thermal control functionality without requiring a completely separate system
4Ease of manufacture
If external tubing is used for anesthesia delivery and temperature control, then the system is easier to assemble, but there are more potential failure points and health risks
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all fluid delivery channels, temperature control pathways, and waste gas scavenging systems into the monolithic imaging bed structure, the patent eliminates the need for external tubing connections. This integrated approach reduces potential failure points from multiple connection interfaces to a single unified system
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 solution ensures consistent anesthesia delivery and efficient temperature control, reducing subject movement and anesthesia exposure, improving image quality, and reducing health risks and costs by eliminating external tubing and minimizing anesthesia usage.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature channel integrated in the base and adjacent to a substantial portion of the bed surface, directs a fluid to a temperature control outlet located substantially opposite the subject interface and exhaust inlet
Implementation Method 2
An anesthesia channel integrated in the base directs anesthesia fluid to the anesthesia outlet
Implementation Method 3
An exhaust inlet in the base located proximate to the subject interface, where an exhaust channel integrated in the base connects the exhaust inlet
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging bed for use with test subjects that keeps the subject sedated and warm throughout the imaging process. In embodiments, the bed uses radiant heating or cooling by pushing a heated or chilled fluid through the bed to control the temperature of the test subject during the imaging process. The imaging bed can also incorporate an integrated anesthesia channel. In embodiments, an exhaust channel removes the cool air, as well as the unused anesthesia from the imaging bed though an exhaust port. Various embodiments include a docking mechanism for easy connection of anesthesia to the bed, as well as an adapter for fitting smaller or multiple subjects simultaneously within the imaging bed.