Peripheral Thermoregulatory Control for Core Temperature Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The thermoregulatory system in mammals is unable to maintain core body temperature within a set range in certain circumstances, and existing methods for therapeutic hypothermia are invasive, time-consuming, or ineffective in inducing rapid changes in core temperature.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that applies heat to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue to increase blood perfusion in glabrous tissue, while simultaneously applying a cooling stimulus to maintain a reduced core body temperature, using devices such as heating elements and cooling devices that can be worn or integrated into treatment environments, and optionally applying negative pressure to enhance blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional therapeutic hypothermia methods are used, then core body temperature can be reduced, but the process is invasive, time-consuming, and ineffective in inducing rapid changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverate of core temperature changeVSAvoidinvasiveness and complexity of treatment system

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the thermoregulatory control into two independent pathways: (1) direct cooling of the core via ice infusion, and (2) peripheral vasoconstriction control via hypothalamic stimulation. This segmentation allows simultaneous action on both core temperature and peripheral blood flow distribution, achieving rapid core cooling without requiring complex invasive procedures for the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary stimulation to the hypothalamus to induce peripheral vasoconstriction before or during core cooling. This preliminary action on the thermoregulatory center prepares the peripheral circulation to minimize heat transfer from core to periphery, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and speed of subsequent core temperature reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the thermoregulatory system is overridden to maintain reduced core body temperature, then therapeutic hypothermia can be achieved, but the system's natural efficiency is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to maintain reduced core temperatureVSAvoidcomplexity of controlling thermoregulatory system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the hypothalamus as an intermediary target for electrical stimulation. By stimulating this central thermoregulatory center, the system indirectly controls peripheral vasoconstriction and blood flow distribution without directly manipulating peripheral vessels or requiring complex multi-component control systems. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall control architecture while achieving reliable therapeutic hypothermia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If heat is applied to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue to increase blood perfusion, then convective heat transfer is enabled, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvective heat transfer rateVSAvoidenergy for maintaining blood perfusion

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies localized heating specifically to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue (such as skin regions with thermoreceptors) rather than heating the entire body. This localized approach stimulates peripheral vasodilation and increases blood perfusion in specific regions, enabling convective heat transfer without the substantial energy expenditure that would result from whole-body heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach allows for the rapid and effective induction of therapeutic hypothermia or warming of the body core, bypassing vasoconstriction and enabling convective heat transfer, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality risks and improving thermal comfort.

Implementation Method 1

Heat is applied to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue of the subject to increase or maintain perfusion of blood in glabrous tissue of the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal vasodilation: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

A cooling stimulus is applied to the glabrous tissue thereby maintaining a reduced core body temperature in the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9339412B2Maintenance of core mammalian body temperature

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 COOL CORE BIOMEDICAL TECH

AI summary

The present application relates to methods for maintaining core body temperature in a subject. Heat is applied to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue of the subject to increase or maintain perfusion of blood in glabrous tissue of the subject, and a warming stimulus is applied to the glabrous tissue. The application of heat to the peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue occurs discretely and simultaneously with application of the warming stimulus to the glabrous tissue, without application of a heating device or a warming device to tissue other than the tissue subjected to the applied heat or to the applied warming stimulus, thereby maintaining the core body temperature of the subject.