Patient Thermodynamic Simulator Without Water Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TTM equipment simulation methods are convoluted, energy-intensive, and require long setup times, lacking a realistic and efficient way to train healthcare professionals and evaluate equipment functionality without using actual patients.
Innovation Solution
A Patient Electronic Thermodynamic Simulator (PETS) that simulates skin and core body temperatures using a mass of material thermally connected to heating elements, controlled by a feedback loop with a control unit, allowing for precise simulation of patient thermodynamics without water or mechanical pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water and mechanical pumps are used to simulate patient thermodynamics, then realistic thermal behavior can be achieved, but setup time increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the water-based thermal simulation system and mechanical pumps from the device. Instead, it uses a solid-state phase change material that undergoes phase transition at body temperature to simulate patient thermodynamics, eliminating the need for complex fluid handling systems and reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a passive phase change material system. The phase change material automatically regulates temperature through its phase transition properties without requiring mechanical pumping, thereby reducing both setup time and mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If water and mechanical pumps are used to simulate patient thermodynamics, then realistic thermal behavior can be achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the water-based thermal simulation system and mechanical pumps from the device. Instead, it uses a solid-state phase change material that undergoes phase transition at body temperature to simulate patient thermodynamics, eliminating the need for complex fluid handling systems and reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a passive phase change material system. The phase change material automatically regulates temperature through its phase transition properties without requiring mechanical pumping, thereby reducing both setup time and mechanical complexity.
3Reliability
If actual patients are used to test TTM equipment, then realistic evaluation can be achieved, but safety risks and ethical concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a realistic copy of human skin and underlying tissues using a phase change material that mimics the thermal properties of actual human tissue. This phantom model provides a safe alternative for testing and training TTM equipment while maintaining realistic thermal behavior for evaluation purposes.
4Measurement precision
If complex water-based systems are used for simulation, then thermal accuracy can be maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the water-based thermal simulation system and mechanical pumps from the device. Instead, it uses a solid-state phase change material that undergoes phase transition at body temperature to simulate patient thermodynamics, eliminating the need for complex fluid handling systems and reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the simulation medium from liquid (water) to solid-phase change material. This phase transition at body temperature provides accurate thermal simulation while dramatically simplifying the system architecture and eliminating mechanical pumping requirements.
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
Enables efficient, safe, and flexible simulation of TTM equipment functionality, reducing setup time and energy consumption while providing realistic training and evaluation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
simulating the skin layer with a mass of material (e.g., simulated skin layer 1) that is thermally connected to heating elements (e.g., heaters 2)
Implementation Method 2
monitoring the temperature of the simulated skin layer 1 with a temperature sensor (e.g., temp sensor 4)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a thermodynamic simulator system for simulating a thermodynamic response (TDR) of a patient's skin without the need for inserting probes and sensors into the patient. The system includes a simulated skin layer (SSL) having a mass of material thermally connected to multiple heating elements; at least one temperature sensor (TS) disposed in the SSL; one or more temperature management (TTM) pads applied to the SSL and coupled to a TTM device, the TTM pads configured to modify heat transfer from the SSL; and a control unit configured to obtain temperature data (TD) from the TS; regulate power to the heating elements based on the temperature data; simulate an internal/core temperature for the patient using an internal body thermodynamic simulation, the TD, and the supplied power. The system includes a core TS for transmitting the internal temperature to the TTM device.