Radio frequency fluid warmer system and method
Inventors
Khanifar, Ahmad • Buschur, Ronald • Michaels, Kevin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12238847-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention is generally a radio frequency apparatus for warming fluids such as IV fluids. In exemplary embodiments, a uniform warming of fluids is achieved by exposing a fluid-carrying tube to Radio Frequency (RF) energy. The RF energy may be supplied by an RF generator, which is coupled to a waveguide. The waveguide typically includes an inlet into which a fluid tube may be introduced. Inside the waveguide, a pathway may be formed wherein the fluid tube may rest in a predetermined position. In exemplary embodiments, the pathway guides the positioning of the tube along a transmission-line length of the waveguide, in a manner such that the tube gradually approaches an electromagnetic field inside the waveguide and exits at a second terminal end of the waveguide. Having absorbed energy supplied from the RF generator, the fluid inside the tube exits the apparatus warmed to a desired temperature.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an in-line radio-frequency (RF) fluid warmer for therapeutic fluids in which RF energy is coupled along a fluid-carrying tube using a matched traveling-wave waveguide rather than using a microwave cavity standing-wave configuration. A waveguide condition is matched to support gradually coupling RF energy to a tube portion, with the purpose of avoiding hot-spots and achieving uniform heating along the transmission-line length. This traveling-wave approach is implemented through electromagnetic ports including a waveguide input and matched termination.
The invention includes a first assembly configured as a waveguide insert that positions a first portion of a fluid-carrying tube within the waveguide. At least one sensor senses at least one parameter of a fluid passing through the fluid-carrying tube, and a sensor interface provides information based at least in part on the sensed parameter to a controller assembly. The waveguide insert is removably insertable into the waveguide to position the tube portion, and the sensor interface is releasably configurable with a controller interface.
At the system level, an RF generator delivers electromagnetic energy to the waveguide with a matched termination, and RF power control is described using a controller that interfaces with sensed inlet/outlet temperatures and provides fail-safe shutoff behavior. System architecture further includes a pathway/positioning structure for the tube, non-invasive temperature monitoring at inlet and outlet, and fluid loop structures to balance impedance and heating distribution. Additional disclosed functionality includes fluid switching between recirculation or patient paths, bubble trap and bubble detection, and pressure and flow sensing with routing to a recirculation or patient path.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a modular radio frequency fluid warmer sub-assembly, a corresponding radio frequency fluid warmer system, and a method. Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on removably configurable waveguide insertion that positions a fluid-carrying tube for RF energizing, with sensors sensing fluid parameters and providing sensed information to a controller via releasable sensor interfaces, and on modular integration between a tube/sensor assembly and a waveguide/controller assembly.
Removably configurable waveguide insert positioning the tube portion
A first assembly includes a waveguide insert and a fluid-carrying tube, where a first portion of the fluid-carrying tube passes through the waveguide insert, and the first assembly is removably configurable with a controller assembly including a waveguide such that the waveguide insert is insertable into the waveguide to position the first portion of the fluid-carrying tube therein.
Sensor sensing fluid parameters and relaying sensed information via releasable sensor interface
At least one sensor including a sensor interface senses at least one parameter of a fluid passing through the fluid-carrying tube, and the at least one sensor provides information based at least in part on the sensed at least one parameter to the controller assembly via the sensor interface, with the sensor interface releasably configurable with the controller interface.
Removable configurability between a tube-and-sensor assembly and a waveguide-and-controller assembly
A radio frequency fluid warmer system includes a first assembly including a waveguide insert, a fluid-carrying tube, and at least one sensor including a sensor interface, and a second assembly including a waveguide and a controller with a controller interface, wherein the first assembly is removably configurable with the second assembly, the waveguide insert is insertable into the waveguide to position the first portion of the fluid-carrying tube therein, and the sensor interface is releasably configurable with the controller interface.
Energizing the waveguide with electromagnetic energy while sensing and reporting fluid parameters
A method performed by a fluid warming system comprising providing a first assembly including a waveguide and a controller with a controller interface, providing a second assembly including a waveguide insert, a fluid-carrying tube, and at least one sensor including a sensor interface, removably configuring the waveguide insert within the waveguide, releasably configuring the sensor interface with the controller interface, energizing the waveguide with electromagnetic energy, sensing at least one parameter of a fluid passing through the fluid-carrying tube using the at least one sensor, and providing information based at least in part on the sensed at least one parameter to the controller assembly via the sensor interface.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of removably insertable waveguide insert positioning of a tube portion for RF energizing and sensor-based monitoring of fluid parameters with releasable sensor interface to provide sensed information to a controller, integrated through removably configurable first and second assemblies.
Stated Advantages
Avoiding hot-spots and achieving uniform heating by using a matched traveling-wave waveguide to gradually couple RF energy to a fluid tube along the transmission-line length.
Reduced waveguide dimensions and compact housing are described.
Elimination of disposable cartridges is described.
Modular plug-and-play primary assembly with a waveguide insert cartridge is described.
Non-invasive temperature monitoring at inlet and outlet is described.
Fail-safe shutoff is described.
Documented Applications
Therapeutic fluids in-line radio-frequency fluid warming, including IV fluids, dialysate, and blood products (e.g., blood / packed red blood cells (PRBCs)).
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) dialysate is described.
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