Sorption-Based Adhesive Cooling Pad for Emergency Portability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient cooling systems are not adequately portable, stowable, or user-friendly for emergency settings like ambulances and helicopters, where space is limited and power may not be available, and they do not facilitate rapid, effective cooling for stroke, cardiac arrest, and head trauma patients.
Innovation Solution
A sorption-based, adhesive contact cooling apparatus with a pad containing a fluid layer and a sorption-based device that vaporizes fluid for conductive cooling, eliminating the need for electrical power and allowing for on-demand, efficient cooling, and is designed for easy setup and disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional patient cooling systems are used, then cooling effectiveness is achieved, but portability and space efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate components: a flexible cooling pad that contacts the patient and a sorption-based device that vaporizes fluid. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be distributed, reducing the weight burden on any single component and improving overall portability while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from liquid cooling to vapor-phase cooling by changing the physical state parameter of the coolant. This parameter change enables more efficient heat transfer with less material, reducing the overall system weight while maintaining or improving cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If traditional patient cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sorption-based device automatically vaporizes fluid through sorption material that absorbs moisture from the environment, driving the phase change without external power. This self-service mechanism eliminates complex electrical systems, power supplies, and control electronics, reducing device complexity while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical/electrical compression-based refrigeration with a sorption-driven phase change mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for compressors, condensers, expansion valves, and electrical controls, dramatically simplifying the device while preserving the cooling function.
3Weight of moving object
If portable cooling systems are designed, then weight is reduced, but cooling effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition from liquid to vapor in the sorption-based device, which provides intense cooling through latent heat absorption. This phase transition mechanism delivers high cooling power in a compact, lightweight package, maintaining cooling effectiveness while reducing weight compared to traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs fluid dynamics principles where vaporized coolant flows through the pad structure to contact the patient. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach enables efficient heat transfer with minimal fluid mass, achieving effective cooling in a lightweight configuration.
4Ease of operation
If emergency cooling systems are made user-friendly, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling pad and sorption-based device are combined into a single integrated unit with pre-connected fluid pathways. This merging eliminates complex assembly requirements, allowing users to simply attach the pad to the patient and activate the device without dealing with multiple separate components or complex connections, improving ease of operation without adding complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-assembled and pre-configured during manufacturing, with fluid pathways and connections established beforehand. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to perform complex setup procedures, allowing them to simply deploy the device in an emergency situation, improving ease of operation while the manufacturing process handles the 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
The apparatus provides rapid, effective patient cooling while being lightweight, space-efficient, and easy to use, reducing the need for power and enhancing portability and stowability, making it suitable for emergency settings.
Implementation Method 1
vaporizing fluid contained in the fluid containing layer of the pad
Implementation Method 2
sorping the vaporized fluid to yield a cooling effect
Implementation Method 3
adhesive contact surface disposed on one side of the fluid containing layer for intimately contacting a patient to yield conductive cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A sorption-based, adhesive contact apparatus and method for contact cooling a patient via conductive thermal exchange are described. The apparatus includes a pad, having a fluid containing layer and adhesive contact surface, and a sorption-based device, fluidly interconnectable to the fluid containing layer, for vaporizing fluid contained in the fluid containing layer and for sorping the vaporized fluid. The fluid vaporization and the vapor sorption cools the adhesive contact surface of the pad. A port control member may selectively establish fluid interconnection between the fluid containing layer and sorption-based device. An internal pressure of the sorption-based device may be established lower than an internal pressure of the fluid-containing layer prior to fluid interconnection therebetween. A fluid retention member and path defining members may be included to facilitate vaporization, vapor diffusion and vapor sorption, thereby enhancing uniform cooling.