LED Fluid Warming Conduit for Precise Sterile Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing physiological fluid temperature control devices, such as those using incandescent bulbs and hot plates, suffer from low energy efficiency, infrared radiation interference, and difficulties in maintaining sterile conditions, with slow temperature response and unreliable temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A physiological fluid temperature control apparatus utilizing electroluminescent radiation sources, such as LEDs, with permeable conduits and temperature sensors, allows for precise temperature regulation by converting a high proportion of energy into visible radiation, minimizing infrared emission, and using a controller to adjust power based on real-time fluid temperature and flow measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If incandescent bulbs are used to heat physiological fluids, then the fluid temperature can be raised, but energy efficiency is low and infrared radiation interference prevents reliable temperature measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the radiation source from broad-spectrum incandescent bulbs to narrow-band LED wavelengths (300-500nm) that match the absorption spectrum of physiological fluids. This parameter change achieves both higher energy efficiency and eliminates infrared radiation interference, allowing simultaneous effective heating and accurate temperature measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal conduction-based heating system with an optical radiation-based heating system. By using LED radiation that is absorbed by the fluid, the system achieves direct volumetric heating without requiring thermal contact between the heater and fluid, thereby improving energy efficiency and eliminating infrared interference issues.
2Temperature
If hot plates or heat exchangers are used to warm physiological fluids, then heating can be achieved, but response time is slow and temperature control reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow thermal conduction heating with rapid optical absorption heating. The LED radiation is directly absorbed by the physiological fluid, providing instantaneous heating response without the thermal mass and heat transfer delays inherent in hot plates and heat exchangers, thereby dramatically improving temperature response speed.
3Temperature
If traditional heating devices are used, then heating function is provided, but maintaining sterile conditions is difficult and disposable conduits are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable conduits made of biocompatible plastics that are permeable to LED wavelengths. These single-use conduits eliminate sterilization requirements and cross-contamination risks, while the radiation-transparent material allows the LED heating system to function effectively through the conduit wall, maintaining both sterility and heating performance.
4Temperature
If both bulbs and fluid are heated, then heating is achieved, but temperature measurement using infrared sensors becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating wavelength parameter from the infrared range to the 300-500nm visible/UV range. This parameter change allows the heating radiation to be in a spectral region that does not interfere with infrared temperature sensing, enabling simultaneous accurate heating and temperature measurement without cross-interference.
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 apparatus achieves efficient, rapid, and sterile temperature control of physiological fluids with reduced latency, enabling fine temperature adjustments and improved energy efficiency by using LEDs and biocompatible conduits.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electroluminescent radiation source, the electroluminescent radiation source comprising a plurality of LEDs
Implementation Method 2
the conduit comprising a biocompatible plastics material (optionally biocompatible glass) which is permeable to the wavelengths of radiation emitted by the or each radiation source
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein the temperature sensors are configured to measure the temperature of the fluid in the conduit
Implementation Method 4
the controller is configured to process the output of the plurality of temperature sensors and to regulate the electroluminescent radiation from the at least one electroluminescent radiation source to thereby control the temperature of physiological fluid in the conduit
Implementation Method 5
the apparatus is configured to direct radiation from the electroluminescent radiation source into a said conduit to thereby heat physiological fluid flowing through a said conduit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a physiological fluid temperature control apparatus with a conduit through which physiological fluid flows in use. The conduit is a tube, transparent to electroluminescent radiation incident upon it. Electroluminescent radiation sources are positioned such that the radiation they produce in use passes into the tube. The radiation is selected to have a wavelength strongly absorbed by physiological fluid, which leads to heating of the fluid. The apparatus may have temperature and flow sensors, as well as photosensors, to record information about the fluid in the conduit, and this information may be used by a controller configured to adjust power supplied to the radiation sources in order to maintain the temperature of the fluid within a predetermined range.