Nasal Cannula Fluid Routing for Targeted Brain Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for temperature management in clinical settings, particularly for reducing brain injury following trauma or medical events, often require intubation, causing discomfort and are not efficient in delivering targeted temperature control to the brain.
Innovation Solution
A nasal cannula design with elongated prongs and apertures that deliver temperature-controlled fluid directly to the nasal cavity, allowing for targeted brain cooling by directing fluid to specific areas, such as the cavernous sinus and internal carotid artery, using thermoelectric devices for temperature regulation and sensors for feedback control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If intubation is used for temperature management, then temperature control can be achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the temperature control function from the invasive intubation procedure and relocates it to the nasal cavity through a cannula device. The cannula delivers temperature-controlled fluid directly to the nasal cavity, achieving brain temperature control without requiring full intubation, thereby maintaining patient comfort while preserving the therapeutic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal cavity serves as an intermediary site between the external environment and the brain. By delivering temperature-controlled fluid to the nasal cavity, the system uses this intermediate location to achieve the ultimate goal of brain temperature control without direct brain access or full intubation, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and comfort.
2Temperature
If intubation is used for temperature management, then temperature control can be achieved, but device complexity and procedural invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential temperature delivery function from the complex intubation procedure, isolating and implementing this specific function through a simpler nasal cannula device. This separates the temperature control capability from the invasive intubation process, reducing overall procedural complexity while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
3Reliability
If targeted temperature control is implemented, then treatment effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by directing temperature-controlled fluid to specific locations within the nasal cavity that are anatomically positioned to influence brain temperature. The apertures are strategically placed to deliver fluid to targeted areas, achieving effective brain temperature control through localized treatment rather than requiring complex whole-body temperature management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal cannula device performs multiple functions: it delivers oxygen, provides temperature control, and enables targeted fluid delivery to specific nasal cavity locations. By combining these functions in a single device, the system achieves effective targeted temperature control without requiring separate complex devices for each function, thus improving reliability while managing device complexity.
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 nasal cannula provides a comfortable and efficient method for rapid cerebral cooling, reducing brain swelling and metabolic demands, minimizing discomfort, and effectively maintaining desired brain temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
using thermoelectric devices for temperature regulation
Implementation Method 2
sensors for feedback control
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal cannula system includes a nasal cannula comprising a first elongated prong configured to be inserted into a cavity of a subject, the first elongated prong having a first axial fluid channel, and a first aperture on a side wall of the first elongated prong, the first aperture providing access to the first axial fluid channel. The nasal cannula system can further include a temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid prior to the fluid being directed through the first axial fluid channel, and a fluid supply configured to direct the fluid through the first axial fluid channel of the first elongated prong and out of the first aperture to a target area.