Compact Thermoelectric Heating Cooling Pad for Targeted Temperature Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) systems are large, cumbersome, and incompatible with smaller spaces or emergency care situations, limiting their use in intensive care units, MRI rooms, and mobile settings like ambulances or airplanes.
Innovation Solution
A compact medical pad assembly with a thermal contact pad and an integrated temperature control module, including a pump, thermoelectric device, heat exchanger, and heat sink, which allows for selective attachment and detachment, enabling efficient thermal energy exchange with a patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional TTM system with floor-standing capital equipment and lengthy fluid delivery lines is used, then thermal energy exchange capability is provided, but the system size requires significant room space and reduces adaptability to smaller or mobile settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the temperature control module (containing pump, thermoelectric device, heat exchanger, and control circuit) directly onto the thermal contact pad, merging previously separate components into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for lengthy fluid delivery lines and floor-standing equipment, reducing the system's spatial footprint while maintaining full TTM functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into a compact, self-contained pad unit with all necessary components (fluid reservoir, pump, thermoelectric device, heat exchanger, control circuit) integrated on or within the pad itself. This segmentation allows the entire TTM system to be reduced to a portable, space-efficient unit that can be easily transported and deployed in various clinical settings.
2Weight of moving object
If a compact integrated design is used, then portability and space efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (fluid reservoir, pump, thermoelectric device, heat exchanger, control circuit) are merged into a single integrated temperature control module that attaches to the thermal contact pad. This consolidation reduces the overall system footprint and improves portability while the modular integration approach manages complexity through organized component placement and unified control architecture.
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 compact TTM system effectively manages patient temperature, providing a portable and space-efficient solution for various clinical settings, including intensive care and emergency care environments.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device (TED) configured to exchange thermal energy with the TE fluid
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger operatively coupled with the TED, where the heat exchanger is configured to facilitate thermal energy transfer between a first side of the TED and the TE fluid
Implementation Method 3
a heat sink operatively coupled with the TED a second side of TED, where the heat sink is configured to facilitate thermal energy transfer between the second side of TED and the environment
Implementation Method 4
a pump configured to circulate the TE fluid between the TC module and the fluid compartment
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are compact systems for performing targeted temperature management including one or more thermal pad assemblies, each or which includes a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device heats or cools a thermal exchange fluid circulating within the thermal contact pad to warm or cool a patient. The thermoelectric device may be included in a temperature control module directly attached to the pad. A modularized temperature control module may selectively include one or more thermoelectric devices coupled with a heat exchanger. Logic stored in memory may, via execution of one or more processors, control the temperature of the thermal exchange fluid by defining a polarity and magnitude of an electrical power supplied to the thermoelectric device. The temperature control module may be selectively attached to and detached from the pad. A pre-use unassembled state of the thermal pad assembly include the pad having the thermal exchanged fluid sealed therein.