Ultrasonic Fluid Agitator for TTM Pad Thermal Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) systems face challenges in achieving efficient thermal energy exchange with patients due to low or stagnant fluid flow in thermal contact pads, leading to decreased thermal energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
The TTM system incorporates a fluid agitator to cause oscillation of the TTM fluid at frequencies greater than 20 KHz and includes a fluid flow disrupting mechanism with protruding members that deflect or rotate to enhance fluid flow velocity, along with surfactants to improve thermal energy exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If TTM fluid is circulated through thermal contact pads, then thermal energy exchange with patient is achieved, but fluid flow becomes low or stagnant resulting in decreased thermal energy transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid agitator that generates ultrasonic vibrations (oscillations at frequencies greater than 20 KHz) within the TTM fluid. This mechanical vibration prevents fluid stagnation and maintains effective thermal energy exchange by continuously agitating the fluid even when bulk flow velocity is low, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving thermal energy transfer and avoiding fluid stagnation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs surfactants to modify the physical-chemical parameters of the TTM fluid, specifically reducing surface tension and enhancing thermal conductivity. These parameter changes improve the fluid's thermal energy exchange capability independent of flow velocity, allowing effective thermal transfer even when fluid flow becomes low or stagnant.
2Productivity
If fluid flow velocity is increased to maintain thermal energy exchange, then thermal efficiency is improved, but risk of low-flow conditions and stagnation in certain areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid agitator generates ultrasonic vibrations that create micro-scale fluid motion and prevent dead zones throughout the thermal contact pad. This ensures uniform thermal energy distribution and eliminates stagnant areas without requiring high bulk flow velocity, thereby maintaining both high thermal efficiency and flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant acts as an intermediary substance that enhances thermal energy transfer at the molecular level by reducing surface tension and improving fluid-wall interaction. This intermediary mechanism enables effective thermal exchange in low-flow conditions by facilitating heat transfer at the fluid boundary layer level rather than relying solely on bulk fluid motion.
3Temperature
If fluid flow is maintained at high velocity throughout the pad, then thermal energy exchange is enhanced, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic fluid agitator consumes minimal energy compared to high-velocity pumping because it generates localized molecular vibrations rather than requiring bulk fluid motion. This vibration-based approach maintains effective thermal energy exchange by preventing stagnation at the micro-scale without the high energy costs associated with maintaining high bulk flow velocities throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pumping system (which relies on high velocity to maintain thermal exchange) with a vibration-based ultrasonic agitator system. This substitution eliminates the need for high-energy pumping while achieving the same thermal energy transfer goal through molecular-scale vibrations and enhanced fluid properties via surfactants.
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 enhances thermal energy exchange between the TTM fluid and the patient by preventing low-flow conditions and promoting turbulence, thereby improving the efficacy of temperature management therapies.
Implementation Method 1
the agitator causes an oscillation of the TTM fluid at a frequency greater than 20 KHz
Implementation Method 2
TTM systems circulate a fluid (e.g., water) through one or more thermal contact pads coupled to a patient to affect surface-to-surface thermal energy exchange with the patient
Implementation Method 3
The TTM fluid may include a surfactant to enhance a thermal energy exchange between the TTM fluid and an inside surface of the flow channels
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing targeted temperature management (TTM) therapy to a patient. Systems included herein provide an airflow to the patient in additional to a fluid flow that define a thermal energy exchange with the patient. Various systems may provide air at a defined TTM temperature to a thermal contact pad, a mattress or a ventilator that delivers the TTM air to the patient via the ventilation therapy. Also disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for preventing, managing, and/or removing perspiration moisture from between the thermal contact pad and the patient. Disclosed herein is a thermal contact pad includes a wicking material to draw moisture away from the patient. Disclosed herein also is a thermal contact pad including airflow that draws moisture away from the patient.