Tank-less Thermal Control Unit for Patient Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal control systems for patients are inefficient in achieving desired temperature settings, lack portability, and do not provide real-time feedback on fluid flow and temperature adjustments, leading to suboptimal patient temperature management.
Innovation Solution
A thermal control unit with a tank-less design, removable reservoir, and advanced sensing subsystems that include flow meters and temperature sensors, along with a graphical user interface for intuitive control, enabling faster temperature adjustments and real-time monitoring of fluid flow and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a traditional thermal control system with fluid storage tank is used, then the system has stable fluid supply, but the system takes longer time to bring regulated fluid to desired temperature and has reduced portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fluid storage tank from the thermal control system, creating a tank-less design where fluid is supplied directly from an external source through a removable reservoir. This extraction of the internal tank eliminates the thermal mass that slowed temperature regulation while maintaining fluid supply capability through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid storage function is segmented from the main control unit and placed in a separate removable reservoir. This allows the reservoir to be filled and prepared independently, then quickly attached to the control unit, reducing the time needed to bring fluid to desired temperature while maintaining portability.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional thermal control system is used, then the system structure is fixed, but the system lacks portability and user convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable design with removable components. The reservoir can be detached and reattached, allowing the system to adapt to different usage scenarios and improving portability while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular components (control unit, removable reservoir, tubing) that can be independently handled, stored, and reconfigured. This segmentation improves portability and user convenience while the standardized interfaces keep the overall system design straightforward.
3Loss of information
If traditional thermal control systems are used, then basic temperature control is provided, but real-time feedback on fluid flow and temperature adjustments is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensing subsystems with flow meters and temperature sensors that provide real-time feedback on fluid flow rates and temperature adjustments. This feedback is displayed through a graphical user interface, enabling users to monitor system performance and make informed adjustments while keeping the sensing architecture relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing subsystem serves multiple functions: monitoring fluid flow, measuring temperature, providing real-time feedback, and enabling user control through the graphical interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring systems while comprehensive information is provided to users.
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 system achieves faster temperature regulation, improved portability, and enhanced user control, ensuring precise patient temperature management by providing real-time feedback and alerts for fluid flow and temperature adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger, a pump, a first flow meter, a second flow meter
Implementation Method 2
The pump circulates fluid from the first and second fluid inlets through the heat exchanger and to the first and second fluid outlets
Implementation Method 3
a first flow meter, adapted to measure a first flow rate of the fluid through either the first outlet or the first inlet, a second flow meter, adapted to measure a second flow rate through either the second outlet or the second inlet
Implementation Method 4
temperature sensors, along with a graphical user interface for intuitive control, enabling faster temperature adjustments and real-time monitoring of fluid flow and temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.