Single Flow Path Blood Warmer Prevents Stagnant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid heating systems, particularly those with toroidal dual flow paths, face issues with stagnant flow at low rates, leading to potential overheating and clogging due to improper anticoagulation of blood or blood products, which can result in inefficient heating and damage to the heat exchanger.
Innovation Solution
A single flow path heating system design that includes a fluid separator with a toroid-shaped conduit and ring-shaped secondary inductors, separated by gaps, which prevents stagnant flow and overheating by ensuring continuous fluid flow and efficient heat transfer without direct contact with the primary inductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a toroidal dual flow path system is used for heating blood or blood products, then heating efficiency is improved, but stagnant flow occurs at low flow rates causing overheating and potential clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple serpentine channels within the single toroidal conduit, creating multiple flow paths that prevent stagnant zones while maintaining continuous flow. This segmentation allows blood to flow through all sections of the heat exchanger even at low flow rates, preventing localized overheating and coagulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal (doughnut-shaped) curved geometry of the conduit promotes natural convection and prevents stagnant flow by eliminating sharp corners and dead zones. The continuous curved path ensures fluid moves smoothly through the entire heat exchanger volume, maintaining reliable flow at low rates while preserving heating efficiency.
2Speed
If heating power is increased to quickly warm blood, then heating speed is improved, but risk of overheating and protein denaturation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors positioned at the outlet and within the flow path provide real-time feedback to the heating control system. When the outlet temperature approaches the target range (37-42°C) or when flow rate decreases, the system automatically reduces heating power to prevent overheating, protein denaturation, and red cell damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system dynamically adjusts power output based on real-time conditions including flow rate and temperature measurements. The system transitions between heating states (high power, low power, or off) to match actual patient needs and flow conditions, enabling fast heating when appropriate while preventing damage when flow is low or temperature is sufficient.
3Reliability
If a single flow path is used to prevent stagnant flow, then flow reliability is improved, but heating efficiency may be reduced compared to dual flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The toroidal curved geometry maximizes the surface area of the conduit exposed to the magnetic field while maintaining a single continuous flow path. This curved design promotes efficient heat transfer throughout the entire blood volume passing through the heat exchanger, compensating for the single-path configuration and maintaining high heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes parameters including conduit wall thickness, conduit diameter, and length of the serpentine path within the toroidal shape to maximize heat transfer efficiency. These parameter adjustments ensure that the single flow path achieves heating performance comparable to or exceeding dual-path systems while maintaining flow reliability.
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
The single flow path system effectively addresses the issues of overheating and clogging, maintaining efficient heating and preventing damage to the heat exchanger, while ensuring biocompatibility and safety by maintaining temperatures within the 40° C. to 42° C. range for blood and blood products.
Implementation Method 1
a primary inductor at least partially within the central opening and one or more secondary inductors within the conduit
Implementation Method 2
the primary inductor generates magnetic flux passing through the central opening when the primary inductor is energized
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are a system for heating fluid, which, in certain embodiment, comprises a fluid separator, a conduit, and a plurality of inductors. The system demonstrates a single flow path without compromising advantages of the existing blood warmers, such that the heat exchanger would not experience stagnant flow that may cause overheating of a local flow path.