Wearable Heating Device with Blood Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat treatment devices for wound healing, particularly in surgeries like mastectomies and cosmetic procedures, are unreliable and difficult to monitor, leading to issues such as skin necrosis and inefficient healing due to lack of precise temperature control and blood flow monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A wearable heating device with an electric heat source, blood flow sensors, and temperature sensors that apply targeted heat and monitor blood flow, allowing for precise temperature control and real-time monitoring of blood flow to enhance wound healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid heating device with thermally insulated storage container is used, then heat treatment can be provided, but the system is unreliable and difficult to monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect blood flow and temperature, providing real-time feedback to a controller. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust heating parameters, ensuring reliable heat treatment while simplifying monitoring through automated control based on physiological responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and adjustment of heating parameters with an automated electronic control system. The mechanical/manual process of monitoring blood flow and adjusting heat is substituted with electronic sensors and controllers that automatically regulate the heating based on detected physiological parameters.
2Device complexity
If manual observation is used to monitor heating effects, then no additional monitoring equipment is needed, but the system is unreliable and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual observation with electronic sensors and automated detection systems. Blood flow sensors and temperature sensors continuously monitor the heated area, providing objective, real-time data that replaces subjective manual assessment, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex additional equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring through integrated sensors that automatically detect blood flow and temperature changes. The device monitors its own effectiveness without requiring external observation, enabling reliable automated assessment of heating treatment progress.
3Ease of operation
If heat treatment is applied without precise temperature control, then the device is simple to operate, but skin necrosis may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature sensors and blood flow sensors to provide continuous feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of heating parameters to maintain safe temperature ranges, preventing skin necrosis while keeping the device simple to operate through automated safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates safety mechanisms that prevent harmful effects before they occur. By monitoring blood flow and temperature in advance, the controller can adjust heating parameters to avoid reaching dangerous temperature levels that would cause skin necrosis, providing protective control before harm occurs.
4Device complexity
If no blood flow monitoring is provided, then the device is simpler, but wound healing effectiveness cannot be confirmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates blood flow sensors that provide real-time feedback on circulation in the treated area. This feedback allows the system to confirm whether heat treatment is achieving the desired physiological effect of improved blood flow, thereby verifying wound healing effectiveness without requiring complex additional monitoring equipment.
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 device provides effective and controlled heat application, improving blood supply to healing tissues, reducing complications like skin necrosis, and enhancing post-surgical outcomes by stimulating blood flow and facilitating better wound healing.
Implementation Method 1
The heat source may be an electric heat source
Implementation Method 2
Each blood flow sensor may use at least one of plethysmography, acoustic or thermal sensing to detect the parameter indicative of blood flow
Implementation Method 3
Each blood flow sensor may use at least one of plethysmography, acoustic or thermal sensing to detect the parameter indicative of blood flow
Implementation Method 4
Each blood flow sensor may use at least one of plethysmography, acoustic or thermal sensing to detect the parameter indicative of blood flow
Implementation Method 5
The heating device may further comprise an additional sensor configured to detect the temperature of the region of a user's body
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device is provided comprising: a wearable layer conformable to a part of a user's body; a heat source attached to the wearable layer for applying heat to a region of a user's body; a blood flow sensor attached to the wearable layer configured to detect a parameter indicative of blood flow in or adjacent to the region of the user's body and generate a signal indicative thereof; and one or both of: (i) a processor in electrical communication with the blood flow sensor for determining the blood flow in or adjacent to the region of the user's body based upon the signal; or (ii) a transmitter for transmitting the signal to a remote device.