Sorption-Based Intravascular Cooling for Portable Emergency Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient cooling systems are not portable, space-efficient, or easy to use in ambulatory settings like emergency vehicles, and they require electrical power, limiting their application in emergency situations such as stroke, cardiac arrest, and traumatic brain injuries.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus using a sorption-based heat exchanger that cools liquid for vascular administration, eliminating the need for electrical power and optimizing space usage, with a cooling reservoir and flow lines designed for rapid cooling and easy setup, allowing for on-demand cooling without the need for electrical utilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional patient cooling systems are used, then effective cooling can be achieved, but the systems are not portable and require electrical power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical power requirements with a mechanical/manual cooling system using a portable refrigerator unit that can be manually operated or powered by alternative non-electrical means, allowing effective patient cooling without dependency on electrical utilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of refrigerant material (from liquid to solid) to provide cooling effect, enabling portable temperature control through latent heat absorption during phase change rather than requiring continuous electrical power input
2Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling effectiveness is maintained, but space requirements are excessive for ambulatory vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cooling system with nested components where the cooling reservoir can be positioned within or adjacent to the refrigerator unit, and flow lines are routed through compact pathways, maximizing space utilization in constrained ambulatory vehicle environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement by utilizing vertical space and three-dimensional positioning of components rather than only horizontal expansion, allowing effective cooling functionality within reduced footprint suitable for ambulances and mobile medical units
3Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling capability is provided, but setup complexity and ease of use are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into distinct modular segments including a refrigerator unit, cooling reservoir, and flow lines, allowing each component to be independently prepared and assembled in a straightforward sequence that simplifies setup procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-filled cooling reservoirs and pre-assembled flow line configurations that are prepared in advance, reducing the complexity and time required for setup during emergency situations where rapid deployment is critical
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 effectively lowers a patient's core temperature by 0.5° C to 4° C within 15 to 60 minutes, reducing neurological damage and improving outcomes in emergency situations while being lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to set up in constrained spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a sorption-based heat exchanger for cooling liquid in the cooling reservoir, wherein the sorption-based heat exchanger may include an evaporative area for receiving and vaporizing a refrigerant therein, a sorptive material for sorping vaporized refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchange member for conducting thermal energy from the liquid in the cooling reservoir into the evaporative area
Implementation Method 3
an evaporative area for receiving and vaporizing a refrigerant therein
Data Source
AI summary
A portable apparatus and method for providing a cooled liquid for vascular administration are disclosed. The portable apparatus includes a source of liquid for vascular administration, a cooling reservoir for receiving liquid from the source, and a sorption-based heat exchanger for cooling liquid in the cooling reservoir by a sorption-based process. The heat exchanger may include an evaporative area for receiving and vaporizing a refrigerant, a sorptive material for sorping vaporized refrigerant, and a heat exchange member for conducting thermal energy from liquid in the cooling reservoir into the evaporative area. Additional componentry may be provided for fluidly interconnecting and controlling the flow of liquid from the source to the cooling reservoir and from the cooling reservoir to a vascular interface device. Such componentry may be conveniently packaged in a sterilized manner together with at least the cooling reservoir.