Peripheral Thermal Control for Rapid Core Body Temperature Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
The thermoregulatory system of mammals is unable to maintain core body temperature within a set range in certain circumstances, and there is a need for methods to override this system to alter body temperature for therapeutic or prophylactic reasons, particularly in cases of medical emergencies like brain ischemia or hypothermia.
Innovation Solution
The use of systems and methods that apply heat or cooling to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue to increase or maintain perfusion of blood in glabrous tissue, allowing for the alteration of core body temperature through vasodilation or vasoconstriction of arteriovenous anastomoses, using devices such as heating elements, cooling devices, and negative pressure to enhance blood flow and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thermoregulatory system is allowed to operate naturally, then core body temperature is maintained within a narrow range, but the system cannot be overridden to achieve therapeutic temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (e.g., a pharmacological agent or therapeutic compound) that mediates between the natural thermoregulatory system and the desired therapeutic temperature change. This intermediary allows the system to be overridden without completely disabling the natural temperature maintenance mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Temperature
If cooling devices are applied directly to the body surface, then core body temperature can be reduced, but the cooling efficiency is limited by the body's natural thermoregulatory resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key parameters of the thermoregulatory system, such as vascular resistance or metabolic rate, to enhance cooling efficiency. By modifying these parameters, the system overcomes the natural thermoregulatory resistance that would otherwise limit the effectiveness of external cooling devices, achieving faster and more efficient core temperature reduction.
3Power
If heating is applied to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue to increase glabrous tissue perfusion, then blood flow increases and heat transfer is enhanced, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service mechanism where the body's own thermoregulatory response to peripheral heating is harnessed to enhance heat transfer. By applying heat to peripheral control tissue, the system naturally increases glabrous tissue perfusion and heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex external control mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between power and 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
These methods enable rapid and effective alteration of body temperature, potentially reducing mortality and morbidity by inducing therapeutic hypothermia or warming, bypassing natural thermoregulatory limitations and providing convective heat transfer mechanisms to manage core body temperature efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The applied heat increases or maintains perfusion of blood in the glabrous tissue
Implementation Method 2
applying heat to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue
Implementation Method 3
providing convective heat transfer mechanisms to manage core body temperature efficiently
Implementation Method 4
alteration of core body temperature through vasodilation or vasoconstriction of arteriovenous anastomoses
Implementation Method 5
Negative pressure can also be applied to the glabrous tissue. The negative pressure can be used to increase or maintain perfusion of blood in the glabrous tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.