Non-Adhesive Thermal Pad for Targeted Temperature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current targeted temperature management (TTM) systems using adhesive pads cause skin irritation due to the adhesive, necessitating the development of non-adhesive alternatives that maintain effective thermal contact with the patient's body.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered pad system with a conduit layer and a non-adhesive, thermally conductive layer, incorporating features like thermally conductive mesh, conductive studs, suction cups, and magnets for secure attachment and enhanced thermal conduction, along with a hydraulic system for temperature-controlled fluid circulation, to reduce skin irritation while maintaining therapeutic body temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive pads are used to maintain contact with the patient's body, then sufficient thermal contact is achieved, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is completely removed from the pad structure. Instead of using adhesive to attach the pad to the patient's body, the patent employs a non-adhesive conductive layer that maintains thermal contact through alternative mechanisms such as suction cups or magnetic attachment, thereby eliminating skin irritation while preserving thermal contact reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A non-adhesive, thermally conductive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the adhesive-free pad surface and the patient's skin. This layer provides both thermal conduction and a interface for alternative attachment methods (suction, magnetic), replacing the function of adhesive without causing skin irritation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-adhesive materials are used to eliminate skin irritation, then skin comfort is improved, but thermal conduction effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is engineered with optimized thermal conductivity parameters and physical properties (such as surface texture, compliance, and contact pressure characteristics) to ensure effective thermal transfer. The material parameters are specifically selected to achieve both non-irritating contact and sufficient thermal conduction without requiring adhesive
Solution Approach 2:
The pad employs composite material construction with a non-adhesive conductive layer made from materials that combine low skin irritancy with high thermal conductivity. The composite structure may include multiple layers with different properties working together to achieve both comfort and thermal effectiveness
3Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive is removed from the pad, then skin irritation is reduced, but pad attachment security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The non-adhesive conductive layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal conduction, enables alternative attachment mechanisms (suction or magnetic), and ensures patient comfort. This multi-functionality compensates for the loss of adhesive attachment security while maintaining or improving overall pad performance
Solution Approach 2:
Suction cups are integrated into the pad design to provide secure attachment through vacuum pressure. The suction mechanism creates a strong bond between the pad and patient's body without requiring adhesive, thereby maintaining attachment security while eliminating skin irritation
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 effectively reduces skin irritation and enhances thermal conduction, allowing for efficient temperature management without adhesives, thereby improving patient comfort and treatment outcomes in TTM applications.
Implementation Method 1
a non-adhesive, thermally conductive layer over the conduit layer... The conductive layer is configured for placement on a portion of a patient's body
Implementation Method 2
The conductive studs are configured to enhance thermal conduction between the temperature-controlled fluid and the patient's body
Implementation Method 3
The suction cups are configured to adhere to the patient's body and secure the pad to the patient's body
Implementation Method 4
The magnets include magnetic pairs having opposing magnetic moments located across the pad from each other for securing the pad around the patient's body
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems, pads, and methods for targeted temperature management. For example, a pad can include a multilayered pad body, a pad inlet connector, and a pad outlet connector. The pad body can include a conduit layer and a non-adhesive, thermally conductive layer over the conduit layer. The conduit layer can include one or more conduits configured to convey a temperature-controlled fluid as a supply fluid from a hydraulic system of a control module. The one-or-more conduits can also configured to convey the temperature-controlled fluid as a return fluid back to the hydraulic system. The conductive layer can be configured for placement on a portion of a patient's body. The pad inlet connector can include a pad inlet configured for charging the conduit layer with the supply fluid. The pad outlet connector can include a pad outlet configured for discharging the return fluid from the conduit layer.