Patient Fluid-Circuit Temperature Control With Organ-Temperature Modeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling patient core temperature during hyperthermia lack accuracy in predicting organ temperatures, particularly brain temperature, leading to a risk of internal organ damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that create a fluid circuit with a heat exchanger, using a controller to estimate organ temperature through a parametric correlation function based on input parameters measured from the patient's body, adjusting the heat exchanger power supply to maintain organ temperature within safe thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If core temperature is increased to achieve efficient hyperthermia treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of organ damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of organ temperature using a mathematical model before actual temperature damage can occur. The model predicts future organ temperature states based on current body temperature and heat exchange rates, allowing preventive control actions to be taken before damaging thresholds are reached.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors body temperature and uses this feedback to adjust the heat exchange rate dynamically. The controller modifies the hyperthermia treatment parameters based on real-time temperature data and model predictions, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents organ damage while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If several temperature sensors are used to monitor body temperature, then temperature measurement coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly measuring every organ temperature, the system creates a mathematical copy (model) of the thermal system. This virtual model replicates the thermal behavior of organs based on measured body temperature data, allowing inference of internal organ temperatures without requiring direct physical measurement of each organ.
Solution Approach 2:
The mathematical model acts as an intermediary between the temperature sensors and the organs being monitored. Rather than directly measuring organ temperatures, the system uses the model to translate external body temperature measurements into internal organ temperature estimates, simplifying the measurement system while maintaining comprehensive monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If direct organ temperature measurement is implemented, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but invasive procedures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a mathematical replica of the thermal system to estimate organ temperatures without physical intrusion. The model uses measurable external parameters (body temperature, heat exchange rates) to compute internal organ temperatures, providing accurate estimates without requiring invasive temperature sensors inside organs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/invasive approach of placing physical temperature sensors inside organs with a computational method. Instead of using invasive thermal probes, the system uses mathematical calculations based on non-invasive body temperature measurements to determine organ temperatures.
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
Ensures accurate and safe control of organ temperature, preventing damage by predicting and adjusting heat exchange to avoid exceeding damaging limits, applicable for both hyperthermia and hypothermia treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger through which said fluid circuit flows for influencing the temperature of said fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the inner temperature of a patient, comprising the steps of creating a fluid circuit that comprises a patient and a heat exchanger, the power supply thereto being controlled by a controller; subjecting at least a portion of the fluid in said circuit to the heat exchanger; directing the subjected fluid to and into the patient to control the temperature of the patient; estimating the organ temperature of the patient by a model that has been obtained on a mammal other than the patient; and controlling the power supply to the heat exchanger such that the estimated organ temperature does not exceed a threshold organ temperature, potentially taking into account estimated future organ temperatures. The invention further relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the inner temperature of a patient when subject to whole body hyperthermia, and to a method for obtaining the model.