Sphenoid Sinus Thermal Control for Body Temperature Set-Point Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manipulating body temperature in humans and warm-blooded animals are inefficient, invasive, and have limited efficacy, particularly in managing thermoregulatory disorders such as fever and hypothermia, without causing trauma to the endocrine system.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that manipulate the body-temperature set-point by cooling or heating the sphenoid sinuses to affect the pituitary gland, thereby inducing changes in the hypothalamic set-point without the use of pharmaceuticals, using heat exchange media or temperature-controlled probes to synchronize with the body's natural mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If surface cooling or intravascular devices are used to induce therapeutic hypothermia, then body temperature can be lowered, but the methods are limited by inefficiency, invasiveness, or patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the sphenoid sinus as an intermediary anatomical space that provides indirect access to the pituitary gland. By delivering temperature-controlled substances or energy through the sphenoid sinus, the system achieves therapeutic effects on the hypothalamic set-point without requiring direct invasion of the hypothalamus itself, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive cooling devices (such as intravascular catheters or surface cooling blankets) with a biochemical/physiological approach. Instead of forcibly removing heat from the body, the system uses temperature-controlled substances delivered to the sphenoid sinus to modulate the hypothalamic set-point, allowing the body's own thermoregulatory mechanisms to produce the desired temperature change
2Temperature
If pharmaceuticals like NSAIDs and acetaminophen are used to reduce fever, then body temperature can be lowered, but the remedies have limited efficacy and potential side effects without directly targeting the underlying mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The sphenoid sinus serves as an intermediary delivery route that enables direct access to the pituitary gland and hypothalamic region. By delivering therapeutic agents or temperature-controlled substances through this intermediary space, the system achieves direct targeting of the fever mechanism at the hypothalamic set-point, bypassing the need for systemic pharmaceuticals and their associated side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of treatment from chemical pharmacology to physical temperature control. Instead of using chemicals that modulate prostaglandin pathways, the system directly applies controlled temperature to the sphenoid sinus region, physically resetting the hypothalamic set-point temperature parameter and thereby treating fever with improved reliability and reduced side effects
3Temperature
If current cooling techniques are used for therapeutic hypothermia, then body temperature can be reduced, but the methods are inefficient and have limited efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The sphenoid sinus acts as a strategically positioned intermediary that provides direct thermal access to the hypothalamic set-point. By delivering cold or temperature-controlled substances through this intermediary, the system achieves rapid and efficient temperature modulation of the central thermostat, significantly improving cooling efficiency compared to peripheral methods that must cool the entire body mass
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cooling or temperature modulation to the sphenoid sinus region before the full therapeutic effect is needed. By pre-cooling or pre-conditioning the hypothalamic set-point through the sphenoid sinus, the system prepares the thermoregulatory system in advance, enabling faster and more efficient achievement of target body temperature when therapeutic hypothermia is initiated
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 safe, controlled, and minimally-invasive manipulation of body temperature, effectively reducing fever or inducing therapeutic hypothermia by resetting the body-temperature set-point, with applications in medical treatments like targeted temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
The method includes the steps of warming or cooling sphenoid sinuses externally resulting in manipulation of the temperature of a pituitary gland which in turn results in manipulation of the body-temperature set-point
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for manipulating a temperature set-point of a human or homeothermic-animal for increasing or decreasing the body temperature above or below the prevailing body temperature for therapeutic purposes. The method includes the steps of warming or cooling sphenoid sinuses remotely resulting in manipulation of the temperature of the pituitary gland without manipulation of the hypothalamus temperature which in turn results in manipulation of the body-temperature set-point and the body temperature manipulates accordingly to the new temperature set-point. A heat exchange medium can be used to warm or cool sphenoid sinuses and thus the pituitary gland. The heat exchange fluid can be liquid, or gas maintained at a predetermined temperature. Alternatively, a temperature-controlled probe can be used that upon contact with the sphenoid sinuses provides for the heat exchange.