Thermic infusion system
Inventors
Pettini, John Robert • Tepper, Charles John • Thomson, Richard Ray • McCoy, James Kevin • Garrett, Jeffrey Alan
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10780258-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-22
Expiration Date
2036-03-10
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Abstract
A thermic infusion system includes a thermal tubing system and a control system. The thermal tubing system has a tubal body with at least one tubal segment. The tubal segment includes a thermal element that may receive energy, such as electrical energy, to increase temperature within the tubal body. The control system may regulate the amount of energy received by the tubal segment using one or more sensors positioned within the tubal body.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a thermic infusion system that includes a thermal tubing system with one or more tubal segments and a control system. Each tubal segment comprises an inner sheath, a thermal element positioned between the inner and outer sheaths, and an outer sheath. The thermal element receives energy, such as electrical energy, to increase the temperature within the tubal body. A control unit regulates the energy supplied to each segment, using data from sensors positioned within the tubal body.
The system is designed to control the temperature of infusion fluids, such as blood or plasma, to a physiological beneficial temperature range or a pre-set range while maintaining flow conditions that minimize shear force and preserve laminar flow. The invention addresses the need for safe temperature regulation of intravenous fluids in a portable device that substitutes for standard infusion lines without causing hemolysis or damaging blood cells.
By using heating and/or cooling elements embedded in or in contact with the tubing system, along with sensors and a control unit that can optimize heating in individual segments, the thermic infusion system maintains infusion fluid temperature within safe limits. The design also incorporates kink-resistant and crush-resistant features for the tubing, and the control system utilizes sensors, such as thermistors, to provide feedback and enable precise control over the heating elements.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims that define the inventive features surrounding a thermic infusion system with thermal regulation, feedback control, and structural features minimizing fluid shear stress.
Multi-segment thermic infusion system with independent heating elements and control
- The system comprises at least two tubal segments in series, each with inner and outer sheaths and respective thermal elements positioned between them, designed for heating or cooling infusion fluid. - A control unit receives temperature sensing information from sensors positioned on a printed circuit board assembly and regulates the electrical energy provided to each thermal element based on sensed temperatures. - The printed circuit board material minimizes thermal conductivity to the temperature sensor from the thermal elements, electrically insulates the sensor from the conveyed fluid, and provides thermal conductivity between the sensor and the inner sheath. - The geometry of the hollow cylindrical bodies in the tubal segments essentially consists of changes that limit shear force in laminar flow to less than 10 Pa.
Single-segment thermic infusion system with proximal and distal temperature sensors
- The system has a tubal segment with inner and outer sheaths and a thermal element between them for heating or cooling the infusion fluid. - At least one distal and one proximal temperature sensor are positioned at respective ends of the thermal element, each provided with thermally conductive material between the sensor and the hollow cylindrical body and configured to provide temperature sensing information to the control unit. - The control unit receives the temperature information and regulates the energy provided to the thermal element based on the data. - The geometry of the hollow cylindrical body is such that laminar fluid flow limits shear force to less than 10 Pa.
Method of operating a thermic infusion system with feedback-based thermal regulation
- Steps include connecting a power source and fluid source to the system such that infusion fluid flows through at least one tubal segment with an inner sheath, outer sheath, and thermal element between them. - At least one distal and one proximal temperature sensor are provided at respective ends of the thermal element, with thermally conductive material between each sensor and the hollow cylindrical body. - The control unit receives temperature information from the sensors and regulates different electrical energy amounts to the thermal element. - The design of the hollow cylindrical body limits laminar flow shear force on the infusion fluid to less than 10 Pa.
The inventive features cover a thermic infusion system that utilizes sensor feedback to independently regulate energy to thermal elements in the tubing, ensuring controlled temperature of infusion fluids while minimizing fluid shear stress and maintaining system portability and structural robustness.
Stated Advantages
Provides safe regulation of infusion fluid temperature to prevent hypothermia and hemolysis during intravenous administration.
Enables laminar flow with minimized shear force, reducing damage to red blood cells and maintaining fluid integrity.
Increases portability over current infusion fluid warming devices, aiding early intervention in the field.
Offers tubing that is kink-resistant and crush-resistant, improving durability and reliability during clinical use.
Allows for precise, feedback-controlled heating or cooling of fluid with independent regulation for different tubing segments.
Documented Applications
Warming intravenous fluids (e.g., blood, plasma, or other infusates) for trauma patients to prevent hypothermia.
Heating for dialysis systems.
Heating for chemotherapy systems.
Heating for blood exchange systems.
Use in petrochemical, chemical processing, pharmaceutical processing, and food processing industries for efficient heating and/or cooling of fluids or gases.
Use in training medical personnel in non-living organisms to regulate fluid temperature for infusion.
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