Three-Port Extracorporeal Circuit for Selective Thermal Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical therapies for ischemic injuries, such as those occurring during cardiovascular or neurosurgery, face challenges in effectively managing temperature zones within the body to prevent tissue damage during the reperfusion phase, where existing methods may lead to dead zones and increased risk of thrombus formation due to incomplete blood flow control.
Innovation Solution
A three-port extracorporeal circuit system with a branching section and heat exchangers allows for independent temperature control of blood flow to different body zones, using an occlusion component or imposed minimum conductance component to manage blood flow and prevent dead zones by maintaining a minimum conductance level, ensuring effective perfusion and reducing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single-port extracorporeal circuit is used for blood temperature control, then the device complexity is low, but only one temperature zone can be controlled and dead zones form in other areas
Solution Approach 1:
The extracorporeal circuit is divided into multiple independent pathways with separate heat exchangers for different body zones. The circuit includes a first heat exchanger for systemic blood temperature control and a second heat exchanger for localized blood temperature control, allowing independent temperature management of different anatomical regions without requiring a completely separate system for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the blood flow path are given different thermal properties through dedicated heat exchangers. The system applies different temperature treatments to blood destined for different body zones - systemic circulation versus localized perfusion - ensuring each region receives the appropriate thermal therapy without affecting other areas.
2Temperature
If blood flow is completely occluded during thermal therapy, then temperature control precision is improved, but thrombus formation risk increases due to stagnant flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts blood flow distribution between different circuit pathways rather than maintaining static occlusion. Flow control mechanisms allow the system to modulate blood flow rates through the first and second heat exchangers independently, maintaining sufficient flow velocity to prevent thrombus formation while still achieving precise temperature control in targeted zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The extracorporeal circuit acts as an intermediary system that temporarily diverts and conditions blood flow before returning it to the patient. The circuit includes flow management components that ensure continuous movement of blood through heat exchangers and back to circulation, preventing stasis-related thrombus formation while enabling controlled thermal therapy through the mediated blood flow path.
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 effectively establishes and controls two distinct temperature zones within the body, reducing tissue damage from ischemic injuries by ensuring continuous blood flow and preventing thrombus formation, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes during medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger configured to set a temperature of blood injected into the second port to a first temperature level
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger configured to set the temperature of blood injected into the injector member to a second temperature level different from the first temperature level
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes for at least two zones of selective thermal therapy of the body. Three-port extracorporeal circuits are described that can be used to establish at least two zones of selective thermal therapy of the body. The example three-port extracorporeal circuit includes a branching section that provides for setting the temperature of blood injected into two different portions of the body at differing temperature levels, to provide. at least two zones of selective thermal therapy.