Enclosed Patient Warming Chambers for Sterile Dependent-Area Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient warming systems fail to effectively warm the dependent aspects of the body, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential contamination risks, while disturbing sterile fields and mixing with ambient air.

Innovation Solution

A thermal regulation system with a flexible, crush-resistant air-flow layer and a cushioning layer that directs temperature-controlled air through enclosed chambers, ensuring direct contact with the patient's dependent areas and maintaining a sterile environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If air is blown directly on the patient, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but contamination risk increases and sterile field is disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an enclosed chamber as an intermediary structure between the air source and the patient. The chamber contains the air flow pathway and directs temperature-controlled air through controlled outlets, preventing direct mixing with ambient air while maintaining thermal contact with the patient's dependent areas. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient heat transfer without the contamination risks associated with direct air blowing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If air flow pathway is made flexible to accommodate patient body, then adaptability is improved, but crush resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to patient bodyVSAvoidcrush resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow pathway is constructed using composite materials that combine flexibility with crush resistance. The pathway includes a flexible outer layer that conforms to the patient's body contours while incorporating a crush-resistant inner layer or reinforcement structure that maintains air flow capability even when compressed by the patient's weight. This composite construction resolves the contradiction between adaptability and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible shells and thin films in the air flow pathway construction. The flexible outer shell accommodates the patient's body shape and movement, while the thin film structure is designed to be sufficiently rigid to prevent crushing under body weight yet flexible enough to maintain contact with the patient's dependent areas. This principle enables the pathway to adapt to various patient positions and body types while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If air outlets are positioned to contact dependent areas, then warming effectiveness is improved, but sterile field contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarming effectivenessVSAvoidsterile field contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosed chamber serves as a sterile barrier and intermediary structure. It contains the air flow pathway and directs temperature-controlled air through controlled outlets that contact the patient's dependent areas without allowing ambient air contamination. The chamber walls act as a protective barrier that maintains sterile conditions while enabling direct thermal contact with the patient, thus resolving the contradiction between warming effectiveness and contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Efficient warming or cooling of the patient's dependent areas without mixing with ambient air, reducing contamination risks, and preserving sterile conditions.

Implementation Method 1

conduct temperature-controlled air through one or more enclosed chambers that are placed adjacent to a patient to help control the patient's temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A cushioning layer can also be included overlaying the air-flow layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260060838A1Patient thermal regulation systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 HIEBERT EUGENE LLOYD

AI summary

Disclosed herein are devices and systems that conduct temperature-controlled air through one or more enclosed chambers that are placed adjacent to a patient to help control the patient's temperature without blowing air directly on the patient. In some embodiments, the enclosed chamber has an air inlet and an air outlet and a defined air flow pathway therebetween. Air exiting the device can be directed away from the patient. The flowing air can be any desired temperature to help warm or cool a patient. The patient can be a human or animal, for example.