Thermal Contrast Therapy Device with Diverting Solenoids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal contrast therapy devices lack rapid transition between heating and cooling cycles, leading to prolonged therapy sessions, potential injuries due to inadequate temperature control, and health hazards from bacterial growth in fluid channels.
Innovation Solution
A thermal contrast therapy system with separate heated and chilled fluid storage tanks and a control unit that manages fluid circulation through a thermal pad, using diverting solenoids to delay return path flow and maintain temperature stability, along with separate pumps and valves for efficient fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single reservoir is used for fluid storage in thermal contrast therapy devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to rapidly transition between heating and cooling cycles is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The single reservoir is segmented into two separate reservoirs: a hot reservoir for storing heated fluid and a cold reservoir for storing chilled fluid. This segmentation allows the system to rapidly switch between heating and cooling cycles by simply changing which reservoir supplies fluid to the circulation system, eliminating the time required to cool or heat fluid in a single reservoir.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid is pre-heated in the hot reservoir and pre-chilled in the cold reservoir before being delivered to the patient. This preliminary action ensures that when the system switches between heating and cooling modes, the fluid is already at the desired temperature, enabling rapid transition without waiting for temperature changes in a single reservoir.
2Temperature
If ice is used for cooling therapy, then cooling capability is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates due to temperature being much colder than ideal and risk of frostbite
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying ice directly to the patient, a cold fluid is used as an intermediary medium. The fluid is chilled to a controlled temperature (ideally 5-10°C) and circulated through a wrap that contacts the patient's skin. This intermediary approach provides effective cooling while maintaining precise temperature control and eliminating the risk of frostbite associated with direct ice application.
3Temperature
If hydroculators are used for heating therapy, then heating capability is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates due to set points being way above maximum safe skin contact temperature
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of direct hydroculator pad contact with skin, a heated fluid serves as an intermediary. The fluid is heated to a controlled temperature (ideally 45-48°C) and circulated through a wrap. This provides effective heating capability while maintaining precise temperature control within safe limits for skin contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control mechanisms that monitor fluid temperature and adjust heating elements accordingly. This feedback control ensures the fluid maintains the precise temperature range (45-48°C) required for safe and effective therapy, preventing overheating even when high heating power is applied.
4Force
If compressed air is used to provide compression, then compression capability is improved, but device complexity and noise increase due to cumbersome air compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a hydraulic pump to circulate fluid through the wrap, and the same pump provides compression by pressurizing the fluid. This eliminates the need for separate air compressors, reducing device complexity and noise while maintaining effective compression capability through hydraulic pressure.
5Temperature
If fluid channels are used for thermal therapy, then thermal delivery is improved, but health hazards increase due to bacterial growth in fluid channels
Solution Approach 1:
The system periodically sterilizes the fluid channels by circulating sterilizing agents (such as hydrogen peroxide or other antimicrobial solutions) through the channels at scheduled intervals. This periodic action eliminates bacterial growth while maintaining the fluid channels for effective thermal delivery during therapy sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses strong oxidizing agents (such as hydrogen peroxide or ozone) to sterilize the fluid channels. These oxidants effectively kill bacteria and other microorganisms in the channels, preventing infection hazards while allowing the channels to continue functioning for thermal therapy delivery.
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
Enables rapid and controlled thermal transitions, reducing therapy time, minimizing the risk of injuries by maintaining optimal temperature ranges and preventing bacterial growth, while providing efficient and safe fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal pad delivering one or more cycles of thermal conditions to a body part
Implementation Method 2
one or more diverting solenoids to delay return path flow
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for an improved Contrast Therapy Device that delivers alternating heated and chilled temperature fluids to a contrast thermal therapy pad. Mitigation processes maintain water temperature in hot water tanks and cold water tanks in order to keep water temperatures in the respective tanks from drifting beyond a desired setpoint range when the system switches a therapy state from a cooling cycle to a heating cycle or from heating cycle to a cooling cycle. Thermal shock is reduced to the fluid tanks. Mitigation techniques include delaying actuation of a return path flow, such as via a diverting solenoid. Mitigating delay can be a static time delay based upon one or both of: a volume of water in a therapy pad and related volume and rate of flow; and meeting a threshold transition temperature for return fluid temperature.