Thermal Control Unit Air Filter Prevents Aerosol Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal control systems face challenges in preventing the escape of aerosolized fluid and spillage, particularly due to backflow, which can lead to contamination and inefficiency in temperature control for patients.
Innovation Solution
The proposed thermal control unit incorporates a fluid circuit with a heat exchanger, pump, air eliminator, air filter, and a controller that includes features such as a check valve and plug mechanism to prevent backflow and aerosolized fluid escape, ensuring the fluid remains contained and clean, with optional disinfection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal control system uses a fluid circuit to control patient temperature, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but fluid spillage and aerosol escape may occur causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air filter as an intermediary component between the fluid circuit and the external environment. The air filter captures and removes aerosolized fluid particles from the air before it can escape into the surrounding environment, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining the temperature control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes harmful aerosolized fluid from the air stream using the air filter. By separating the harmful component (aerosol) from the air flow, the system prevents contamination while maintaining the beneficial temperature control function of the fluid circuit.
2Reliability
If the thermal control unit allows air venting from the fluid circuit, then air elimination is improved, but aerosolized fluid may escape into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The air filter serves as an intermediary component in the air venting path. It allows air to pass through for elimination purposes while simultaneously capturing and retaining aerosolized fluid particles, thus enabling air elimination without aerosol escape.
Solution Approach 2:
The air filter introduces a localized quality change in the air stream by selectively removing aerosolized fluid particles while allowing clean air to pass through. This creates a differentiated flow where harmful particles are captured and clean air is vented.
3Quantity of substance
If the thermal control system uses a reservoir to supply fluid, then fluid supply capacity is improved, but backflow into the reservoir may cause spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful backflow into a beneficial filtering opportunity. By positioning the air filter in the fluid circuit, any backflow or aerosol generation is transformed into a chance for the filter to capture particles, turning a harmful phenomenon into a self-cleaning mechanism.
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 solution effectively prevents fluid spillage and aerosol escape, maintains fluid cleanliness, and allows for precise temperature control, enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy while reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger changes a temperature of the fluid in the fluid circuit
Implementation Method 2
The pump circulates the fluid supplied by the reservoir through the fluid circuit
Implementation Method 3
The air eliminator vents air from the fluid circuit to the ambient surroundings
Implementation Method 4
the air filter couples to the air eliminator and filters the air vented to the ambient surroundings by the air eliminator
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 includes a fluid circuit with an inlet and outlet, a reservoir, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a controller. The thermal control also includes any one or more of the following: (1) an air eliminator with an air filter for filtering air vented from the fluid circuit to the ambient surroundings; (2) a plug that moves in response to changing fluid levels and that fluidly isolates the air filter from the fluid; (3) a second air filter coupled to the reservoir; (4) a check valve to prevent fluid from back flowing into the reservoir; and/or (5) a liquid filter coupleable to the reservoir to filter liquid entering or exiting the reservoir.