System and method for cooling or heating a human body part
Inventors
Makarov, Sergey • Ertel, Jason R. • Boll, David J.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11229547-B2
Publication Date
2022-01-25
Expiration Date
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Abstract
A system for cooling or heating a body part includes at least one bladder, a pump, a heat exchanger, a first fluid line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the at least one bladder, a second fluid line in fluid communication with the at least one bladder and the heat exchanger, a main reservoir and a separator. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the pump. The first fluid line is located downstream from the heat exchanger and the second fluid line is located downstream from the at least one bladder when the system is operating to cool or heat the body part. The separator is in fluid communication with the main reservoir and the pump and is located below the main reservoir to receive fluid under the influence of gravity from the main reservoir and to deliver fluid to the pump via gravity.
Core Innovation
A system for cooling or heating a body part includes at least one bladder, a pump, a heat exchanger, a first fluid line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the at least one bladder, a second fluid line in fluid communication with the at least one bladder and the heat exchanger, a main reservoir and a separator. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the pump. The first fluid line is located downstream from the heat exchanger and the second fluid line is located downstream from the at least one bladder when the system is operating to cool or heat the body part, and the separator is in fluid communication with the main reservoir and the pump and is located below the main reservoir to receive fluid under the influence of gravity from the main reservoir and to deliver fluid to the pump via gravity.
A unit for providing heated or cooled fluid to an associated bladder to be placed on a body part includes a casing, a pump positioned in the casing, a heat exchanger positioned in the casing, a unit outlet in fluid communication the heat exchanger, a unit inlet in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, a main reservoir positioned in or on the casing and a separator positioned in the casing between and in fluid communication with the main reservoir and the pump. The separator is located below the main reservoir to receive fluid under the influence of gravity from the main reservoir and is located with respect to the pump so as to deliver fluid from the separator to the pump under the influence of gravity. The separator has a volumetric space toward a top of the separator for allowing air bubbles to migrate toward the volumetric space to inhibit air from entering into the pump.
The background section describes pump and cooling fluid liquid sources as a reservoir surrounded by a cooling unit which is supplied refrigerant from a compressor and also refers to ice baths in which ice has been placed into a reservoir of water. Based on the available documentation, information is insufficient.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified (a system and a unit). The following nine inventive features are extracted from the independent claims.
At least one bladder configured to be placed on a body part
At least one bladder configured to be placed on a body part
A centrifugal pump including a pump inlet and a pump outlet
A centrifugal pump including a pump inlet and a pump outlet
A heat exchanger in fluid communication with the pump
A heat exchanger in fluid communication with the pump
First fluid line located downstream from the heat exchanger and second fluid line located downstream from the at least one bladder
A first fluid line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the at least one bladder, the first fluid line being located downstream from the heat exchanger when the system is operating to cool or heat the body part; a second fluid line in fluid communication with the at least one bladder and the heat exchanger, the second fluid line being located downstream from the at least one bladder when the system is operating to cool or heat the body part
A main reservoir
A main reservoir
A separator located below the main reservoir to receive and deliver fluid via gravity
A separator in fluid communication with the main reservoir and the pump, the separator being located below the main reservoir to receive fluid under the influence of gravity from the main reservoir and to deliver fluid to the pump via gravity and head pressure of fluid within the main reservoir forces fluid through the separator and into the pump inlet prior to the fluid from the separator entering either the first fluid line or the second fluid line
Pump positioned in a casing as part of a unit having a unit inlet in fluid communication with the pump
The pump is positioned in a casing as part of a unit having a unit inlet in fluid communication with the pump
Pump, unit inlet, and separator configured so pump primarily draws from the unit inlet
The pump, the unit inlet, and the separator are configured and positioned in the casing such that the pump primarily draws fluid from the unit inlet and fluid is drawn from the separator by the pump only when fluid is lost in the circuit volume
Unit outlet and unit inlet positioned with respect to the heat exchanger
A unit outlet in fluid communication the heat exchanger and positioned with respect to the heat exchanger to receive fluid that has passed through the heat exchanger; a unit inlet in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and positioned with respect to the heat exchanger to provide fluid to the heat exchanger
The independent claims cover a system and a unit incorporating a bladder, a centrifugal pump and heat exchanger arrangement, distinct downstream first and second fluid lines, a large main reservoir and a gravity-fed separator positioned to supply the pump and limit air entry, and configuration and positioning so the pump primarily draws from a unit inlet and only draws from the separator when circuit fluid is lost.
Stated Advantages
Less energy is required to operate the heat exchanger and the pump and the unit is more economical and environmentally friendly by only cooling or heating the circuit volume rather than the main reservoir.
Locating the separator below the main reservoir and delivering fluid to the pump via gravity mitigates priming and cavitation issues in the pump.
A separator volumetric space and larger separator cross-sectional area reduce the likelihood of air bubbles entering the pump and the fluid circuit.
A sensor configured to detect electrical current drawn by the pump can stop power to the pump and provide an indication to the operator when more fluid is needed in the main reservoir.
Documented Applications
Heating or cooling a body part, such as the head, neck, knee, or other areas of the human body including internal organs such as the brain.
Providing heated or cooled fluid to an associated bladder to be placed on a body part.
A portable unit that can be easily lifted by a healthy adult for use with the bladder and fluid circuit.
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