Thermal insulating material and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal insulating materials used in hospital settings, such as blankets and gowns, often fail to effectively prevent perioperative hypothermia in patients, and existing forced air warming devices can cause complications like deep joint infections and burns.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer thermal insulating material comprising nonwoven textile and polymer laminate layers with elastic elements that change configuration to form cavities, trapping air and enhancing thermal resistance, while being softer and quieter than prior art materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional textile insulating materials are used, then thermal insulation is provided, but weight increases and insulation effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining multiple layers including reflective layers, air-trapping layers, and breathable membranes. This multi-material composition achieves superior thermal insulation by combining reflection, convection prevention, and vapor management, while keeping each individual layer thin and lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes porous and hollow-structured materials that trap air pockets within their structure. These air-filled pores provide thermal insulation by reducing heat conduction, while the materials themselves remain lightweight due to their low density and airy structure.
2Temperature
If forced air warming devices are used, then patient temperature is maintained, but harmful effects occur including infections and burns
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulating material works passively by trapping the patient's own body heat within its multi-layer structure. The material does not require external power sources or active heating mechanisms, eliminating the risks associated with forced air warming devices while maintaining patient temperature through passive insulation and heat reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal insulating barrier between the patient and the hospital environment. This barrier layer reflects body heat back to the patient and blocks cold air infiltration, providing temperature maintenance without direct thermal contact or forced air circulation that could cause harm.
3Loss of energy
If traditional blankets are used, then coverage is provided, but thermal retention is insufficient for perioperative patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining multiple layers including reflective layers, air-trapping layers, and breathable membranes. This multi-material composition achieves superior thermal insulation by combining reflection, convection prevention, and vapor management, while keeping each individual layer thin and lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulating material is divided into multiple functional layers, each performing a specific function: reflective layers for heat bounce-back, air-trapping layers for convection prevention, and breathable membranes for vapor management. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific purpose while working together for overall thermal retention.
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 material effectively retains body heat, reducing the risk of hypothermia in patients by creating insulating pockets of air without the negative side effects associated with forced air warming devices, providing a comfortable and safe solution for hospital use.
Implementation Method 1
the insulating material can change between a first configuration in which the elastic element is stretched such that the primary material lies adjacent the elastic element, and a second configuration in which the primary material is bowed with respect to the elastic element so as to form at least one cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating material and a method using that material for preventing perioperative hypothermia in hospital patients. Hospital blankets, hospital gowns and thermal wraps are made with the insulating material, which comprises in one embodiment an inner layer and an outer layer of a nonwoven material and a middle layer of a polymer laminate material. The nonwoven material is a bicomponent coextruded spunbond nonwoven polypropylene and polyethylene textile and the polymer laminate material comprises polyethylene and metallised polyethylene terephthalate. The nonwoven material is arranged with an elastic such that the insulating material can change between a first configuration wherein the elastic is stretched such that the primary material lies adjacent to it, and a second configuration wherein the elastic is relaxed such that the primary material is bowed with respect to it, forming at least one cavity for entrapping air.