System and method for cooling or heating a human body part
Inventors
Makarov, Sergey • Ertel, Jason R. • Boll, David J.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11723796-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-15
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. 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 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 background describes prior approaches including a head and neck device with panels housing a cold element, pump and cooling fluid sources and reservoirs surrounded by a cooling unit supplied refrigerant from a compressor, and ice baths used as a cooling fluid source. In view of the foregoing, the specification describes positioning the main reservoir adjacent a top wall of the casing with a maximum main reservoir volume at least five times greater than the circuit volume so that only fluid in the circuit volume is cooled or heated. The specification further describes locating the separator below the main reservoir and configuring the separator to define volumetric space for allowing air bubbles to migrate toward a top of the separator to inhibit air from entering into the pump. The specification states that by only cooling or heating the volume of fluid required in the closed circuit, less energy is required to operate the heat exchanger and the pump, which results in a more economical and environmentally friendly unit.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims directed to (1) a system for cooling or heating a body part and (2) a unit for providing heated or cooled fluid to an associated bladder. The following inventive features are extracted from those independent claims.
Bladder configured to be placed on a body part
at least one bladder configured to be placed on a body part
Pump including pump inlet and pump outlet
a pump including a pump inlet and a pump outlet
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
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
Second fluid line located downstream from the bladder
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
Main reservoir with vented cap and outlet line
a main reservoir, wherein the main reservoir includes a main reservoir inlet, and the system further includes a vented cap for closing the main reservoir inlet and a main reservoir outlet line connected with an outlet of the main reservoir
Separator positioned below the main reservoir to supply pump by 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 the fluid within the main reservoir forces the 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
Separator defining volumetric space to allow air bubble migration
the separator has a separator inlet connected with the main reservoir outlet line and defines volumetric space for allowing air bubbles to migrate toward a top of the separator without passing into the main reservoir outlet line, the air bubbles at the top of the separator having to overcome the pressure of any fluid within the main reservoir pressing against any fluid in the main reservoir outlet line before reaching the vented cap
Casing housing pump, heat exchanger, main reservoir and separator
a casing; a pump positioned in the casing; a heat exchanger positioned in the casing and in fluid communication with the pump; a unit outlet in fluid communication with 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; a main reservoir positioned in or on the casing
Separator positioned so fluid from separator enters pump before exiting casing and only when circuit fluid is lost
a separator having a separator inlet connected with the main reservoir outlet line and a separator outlet, the separator being positioned in the casing between and in fluid communication with the main reservoir outlet and the pump inlet, the separator being located below the main reservoir to receive fluid under the influence of gravity from the main reservoir, the separator being located with respect to the pump so as to deliver fluid from the separator to the pump under the influence of gravity via a fluid line connecting the separator outlet to the pump inlet such that the fluid from the separator does not exit the casing before entering the pump, wherein the separator is positioned in the casing such that fluid is drawn from the separator into the pump inlet only when fluid is lost in a circuit between the unit inlet and the unit outlet
The independent claims principally claim a closed-circuit fluid cooling or heating system and a corresponding unit characterized by: a bladder in fluid communication with first and second fluid lines, a pump and a heat exchanger, a main reservoir with a vented inlet and outlet line, and a gravity-fed separator positioned below the main reservoir that provides fluid to the pump, defines volumetric space to collect air bubbles, and is arranged so separator fluid enters the pump before exiting the casing and only when circuit fluid is lost.
Stated Advantages
Only cooling or heating the circuit volume requires less energy to operate the heat exchanger and the pump, resulting in a more economical and environmentally friendly unit.
Positioning the separator below the main reservoir and delivering fluid to the pump via gravity mitigates issues with regard to priming the pump and mitigates priming and cavitation issues.
The separator defines volumetric space for allowing air bubbles to migrate toward a top of the separator to reduce the likelihood of air bubbles exiting the separator and entering the pump or the fluid circuit.
The unit is designed to be a portable unit that can be easily lifted by a healthy adult and can be provided with a handle to allow the unit to be easily carried.
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.
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