System for recirculating warm air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermostabilizing blankets made of porous materials allow warm air to escape into the environment, potentially contaminating it and causing cross-contamination between patients, and continuous air flow can be problematic during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A recirculating warm air system with non-porous air-impermeable materials and a closed-loop design, using a recirculating warm air machine with chambers, valves, and a blower to inflate and recirculate air within a blanket or mattress without releasing it into the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If porous materials are used for the thermostabilizing blanket, then the blanket can be made and air can pass through it, but the warm air escapes into the environment causing contamination and cross-contamination between patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a non-porous flexible membrane or thin film material for the air-impermeable blanket. This flexible shell prevents air penetration while maintaining the blanket's conformability to the patient's body, eliminating the harmful effect of air contamination and cross-contamination between patients while preserving ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a closed-loop system that maintains a sterile, controlled air environment within the blanket. By preventing air exchange with the external environment, the system preserves the inertness and sterility of the internal atmosphere, eliminating contamination risks during medical procedures
2Ease of operation
If a conventional warm air circulating machine is used with porous blanket, then the machine can inflate the blanket, but the machine circulates contaminated air from the environment through the blanket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air circulation loop from the external environment and confines it entirely within the closed-loop system. By separating the internal air circulation from external air sources, the system eliminates contamination while maintaining ease of operation of the warm air circulating machine
Solution Approach 2:
The non-porous flexible membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the internal sterile air environment and the external contaminated environment. This mediator allows the blanket to remain inflated and functional while preventing any air exchange that would compromise air sterility
3Temperature
If continuous air flow is provided from the blanket to the surgical area, then the blanket can maintain warmth, but the exiting air may be contaminated and problematic during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous warm air circulation within the closed-loop system, ensuring continuous warmth maintenance for the patient. The useful action of heating continues uninterrupted while the harmful effect of contaminated air flow is eliminated by the closed-loop design that prevents any air discharge to the surgical environment
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
Prevents air contamination by maintaining a closed-loop circulation, ensuring the air remains sterile and does not escape into the environment, thereby preventing cross-contamination and continuous air flow during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The second chamber may include a heater located between the air blower and the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
The second chamber may include an air blower configured to move the air towards the air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A recirculating warm air system configured to connect to an air inflatable product is provided. The system includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes a first air inlet and a first valve located at the first air inlet. The second chamber includes a second valve located between the first chamber and the second chamber, an air outlet, and a first hose connected to the air outlet. The second chamber further includes an air blower and a heater located between the air blower and the air outlet. The second chamber includes a second air inlet, a third valve located at the second air inlet, and a second hose connected to the second air inlet. The first hose and the second hose are configured to connect to the air inflatable product. The system further includes a processing unit configured to control elements of the system.