Body Temperature Control via Intermediary Sensor Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling body temperature in medical settings, particularly during conditions like myocardial infarction, lack precision and efficiency in targeting specific body locations for therapeutic hypothermia, leading to potential tissue damage and arrhythmias.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a heat exchanger and temperature sensors that estimate and control temperature at a target location within the body by using algorithms to adjust the temperature sensed at a different location, allowing for precise warming or cooling of specific areas, such as the left ventricle, to prevent or reduce damage from ischemic insults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are positioned at the target location (e.g., left ventricle) to directly measure temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detection increase due to requiring invasive placement in difficult-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by placing temperature sensors at accessible locations (such as the aorta or superior vena cava) rather than directly at the target location (left ventricle). The controller then uses algorithms to estimate the target location temperature based on the intermediary sensor readings, combined with information about heat exchanger power output and blood flow characteristics. This mediator approach achieves sufficient measurement precision without the complexity of direct invasive placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of directly placing sensors at the target location with a computational approach. Instead of physically positioning the sensor where it is most difficult to reach, the system uses mathematical models and algorithms to substitute for direct measurement, achieving the same informational goal with less mechanical complexity.
2Productivity
If heat exchanger power is increased to rapidly cool the body to target temperature, then productivity is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to potential tissue damage and arrhythmias from excessive cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the controller continuously monitors temperature sensor readings and adjusts the heat exchanger power output accordingly. The controller compares the estimated target location temperature with the desired target temperature and modulates the heat exchanger power to achieve the target temperature without excessive cooling. This feedback mechanism enables rapid cooling while preventing harmful effects by automatically reducing power when the target temperature is approached.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heat exchanger power output based on real-time temperature measurements and estimated target temperature. Rather than using a fixed high power setting, the system transitions from high power (when cooling is needed) to low or zero power (when target temperature is reached), optimizing the cooling rate while preventing harmful effects through continuous adaptation.
3Ease of operation
If temperature sensors are placed at accessible locations away from the target location, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature gradients between sensing and target locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system treats the temperature sensor at the accessible location as an intermediary measurement point rather than a direct measurement of target temperature. The controller uses this intermediary reading combined with heat exchanger power information and physiological models to calculate the target location temperature, bridging the gap between accessible sensing and target measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from directly measuring target location temperature to measuring a related parameter (temperature at an accessible location) and deriving the target temperature through computational transformation. This parameter substitution, combined with power output data and physiological modeling, recovers the target temperature information with sufficient accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
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 enables rapid and precise temperature control, reducing infarct size and minimizing arrhythmias by effectively lowering core body temperature before reperfusion, thereby improving patient outcomes in acute myocardial infarction cases.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchanger useable to exchange heat with the subject's flowing blood at a heat exchange location
Implementation Method 2
at least one temperature sensor positioned and useable to sense body temperature(s) at one or more temperature sensing location(s)
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for controlling the temperature of all or part of the body of a human or animal subject.