JP2008544805A - Portable therapeutic cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

After life-threatening health events such as heart failure or heart attack, use convection cooling and recirculation air to efficiently and safely clean the head and body of patients wearing or not wearing clothes Disposable portable therapeutic cooling system for effective cooling.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 585,166, filed July 2, 2004. The entire contents of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the invention
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to cooling systems, and more specifically, but not limited to mild body temperatures configured to be used immediately or as soon as possible after a traumatic event. The present invention relates to a portable therapeutic cooling system using a gas that provides a lowering effect.

2. Description of Related Art There are situations where it is required to actively cool a patient as part of clinical treatment. Patients who have seizures or heart failure, or other serious or life-threatening health events, may experience moderate hypothermia, for example, by raising the body temperature in the range of 32 to 34 ° C. for about an hour or more after heart failure There are advantages. The time from a serious or life-threatening health event to the patient's body being treated is important due to the external environment, such as transport to the hospital, so it is suggested to start this treatment as soon as possible Has been.

  Body temperature is an important variable in determining the amount of nerve damage caused by ischemic stroke (Dietrich et al., 1990). Clinically, body temperature is currently considered to be a significant independent risk factor for stroke (Reith et al., 1996), as well as hypertension, smoking, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and transient cerebral ischemia. It is considered to be a risk factor that contributes to other risk factors for seizures such as seizures. Therapeutic gradual hypothermia (34-36 ° C.) for stroke and head trauma patients has been reported in clinical studies (Kammersgaard et al., 2000; Schwab et al., 1997) and animal experiments that show long-term neurological and behavioral benefits ( Corbett & Thornhill, 2000; Colbourne & Corbett, 1994).

  Clinically, cooling of the patient's body in a seizure can be done by forced air cooling using a Bair Hugger® wrap and anesthesia (Kammersgaard et al., 2000), or cooling using a fan and alcohol wash (Schwab) Et al., 1997). A pethidine anesthetic is administered to prevent tremor. Attempts have been made to more locally cool the head of head trauma and stroke patients. Cooling helmets (previously cooled by circulating water or air through the helmet) attempt to lower the brain temperature through a change in conductivity through the skull (Klatz & Goldman, 1995, US patent). No. 5,913,885; Gunn & Gunn, 1998, International Publication No. WO 98/56310). In addition, cooling pillows for the head and neck were devised to lower the patient's body temperature (Tsutomu & Koji, 1998, Japanese Patent Publication No. 09-0721152; Katsumitsu & Shinichi, 2000, Japan Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-250455). These devices are often bulky and require device expertise to operate the device effectively.

  A review of typical conventional devices shows that there is a need for a device or system that cools the entire body in conjunction with a temperature monitoring system to adjust the cooling effect. There is a need for a device that can be quickly applied to a patient immediately after a serious or life-threatening health event. Such a device is particularly necessary prior to arrival at the hospital, such as during transportation in an emergency vehicle.

  Furthermore, conventional devices are relatively bulky and uncomfortable. There is a need for a device that is comfortable and respects the physical state of the subject prior to arrival at the hospital, eg, when the subject is being transported to the hospital after an injury. In the case of stroke-induced brain damage or heart failure, the subject may be transported to a remote hospital. Many of these subjects are aged and, as is known, entering such a device may be uncomfortable, traumatic, or even unappealing. In particular, cumbersome helmet-like devices that circulate fluids or large coolants are inappropriate for this reason. Furthermore, the overall size of the known device prevents it from becoming a standard equipment for emergency vehicles or other hospital rescues that have limited storage space. Furthermore, conventional devices rely on cold saline infusion, which cannot be temperature controlled during infusion.

  By emergency medical technicians and public health care professionals who can cool the body to prevent damage to critical parts of the body and minimize any sequelae of such traumatic health events before arriving at the hospital Or having a simple body containment device for use in an adjacent area of a patient (eg, home).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides an efficient method for the patient's head and body wearing or not wearing clothing immediately following a serious or life-threatening health event such as heart failure or stroke, It seeks to meet these and other needs through the development of portable therapeutic cooling systems that use convection cooling and recirculation air that provides safe and effective cooling.

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art through the development of a portable therapeutic cooling system that is configured to be applied to a patient as soon as possible after a health event. This portable therapeutic cooling system is configured to be used in a temporary environment such as in an ambulance or in an adjacent area of the patient, such as the patient's home, and is near a spectator, paramedic, or other It is configured to be operated by a person and can be effectively used for a patient wearing clothes.

  Referring first to FIG. 1, a top cutaway view of a therapeutic cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cooling system 100 includes a single inflatable head and bodysuit 102 coupled to a cooling unit 104. The inflatable suit 102 is preferably made of a disposable material that can circulate air through the inflatable suit 102, but non-disposable embodiments are also intended to be within the scope of the present invention. ing. The inflatable suit 102 is configured to seal around the patient along the seam 106 by a zipper, button, or other equivalent fastening means, but convective heat transfer from the inflatable suit 102 to the patient. Does not require an inflatable suit 102 to seal around the patient to cool the patient.

  The suit 102 is designed in small, medium, large, and extra large shapes, otherwise it is sized for a pediatric patient according to user requirements. Suitably, the suit 102 is configured to circulate air throughout the suit 102 and has an air inlet 108 and an air outlet 110 while preventing air from leaking around. Preferably, the air inlet 108 is connected to the cooling unit 104 via a hose or the like, which delivers cooling air from the source to the suit 102. The air outlet 110 is configured to deliver air to circulate through the suit 102 via the hose or the like and to the cooling unit 104, and the air is recirculated into the suit 102 via the air inlet 108. .

  The suit 102 is configured to deliver cold air to the patient via convective heat transfer. Furthermore, the suit 102 is configured to provide cool air to important parts such as the neck, scalp, and groin.

  When a person undergoes a traumatic health event, an onlooker, paramedic, or other nearby person simply slides the person wearing the clothes into the suit 102 and closes the suit 102 via the seam 106 . At the time of sealing, if the cooling unit is already connected to the suit, the cooling unit 104 is operated or connected to the air inlet 108 and the air outlet 110 to operate. The patient's body is then cooled by convection by flowing cool air through the suit and entering the majority of the patient's entire body. The recirculation characteristics of the suit 102 can operate the system efficiently and maintain air at a predetermined cooling temperature.

  Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, a power supply such as a 12V DC device available in an ambulance, C. Other power sources, including current delivery devices, are preferably used to supply power to the cooling unit 104. Alternatively, a battery may be included in the cooling unit 104.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of a portable therapeutic cooling system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The portable therapeutic cooling system 200 is disposed only around the patient's head and neck and is configured to cool the head and neck including the carotid artery. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the placement of the portable therapeutic cooling system 200 can cool other parts of the body via the standard blood circulation of the patient's body. As such, a hood 202 is provided coupled to the cooling unit 204. The hood 202 provides a convective airflow through the hood 202 around the patient's scalp in a closed loop, and somehow provides an air transmission path to cool the patient's brain, such as an open loop lead-out vein. With The hood 202 further comprises a stretcher 206 made of cloth and provides a space through which air can circulate around the scalp.

  An air inlet 208 is provided on the hood 202 and connects the delivery tube 210 to the cooling unit 204. When the cooling unit 204 is activated, cool air is delivered through the delivery tube 210 and into the hood 204, where the cool air circulates around the patient's head and neck regions to provide convective cooling.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a circuit diagram of a portable therapeutic cooling system 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. A control unit 302 is provided that receives a temperature input from a temperature sensor 303 between the heat exchanger 304 and an output device such as a hood 306 and a suit 308. The control unit 302 provides a speed control signal to the blower 310 and in turn feeds air onto the heat exchanger 304 that connects to the cooling source 314. A pressure sensor 316 is provided between the blower 310 and the heat exchanger 304 and is coupled to the control unit 302 to help the control unit 302 determine the appropriate speed of the blower 310.

  Thus, when the control unit 302 is activated, the control unit first determines the temperature from the temperature sensor 303 and the pressure from the pressure sensor 316. The control unit 302 then provides a signal to the blower 310 that is activated to send air onto the heat exchanger 304. The resulting air is then sent to the hood 306 or the suit 308 depending on which device is connected to the system 300.

  Referring to FIG. 4, another circuit diagram of a portable therapeutic cooling system 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cooling system 400 is provided with a Peltier element 402 in combination with a heat exchanger to control the temperature of the air passing through the cooling system. The control unit 404 is connected to the blower 406, the induction valve 408, and the temperature sensor 410. The induction valve 408 is pre-arranged between the blower 406 and the Peltier element 402 so that air flows on the high temperature side or the low temperature side of the Peltier element 402 based on the control unit 404 and the need to heat or cool. Like that. The temperature sensor 410 is arranged downstream from the Peltier element 402 and upstream of the hood 412 or the suit 414 depending on the configuration of the system 400. Thus, the cooling system 400 provides sufficient thermal control for the patient when using the hood 412 or suit 414. It will be understood that the hood 412 or suit 414 is inflatable and the hood 412 or suit 414 is a single piece.

  Referring to FIG. 5, another circuit diagram of an alternative cooling supply 500 used with the portable therapy system of FIG. 6 is shown. Alternative cooling supply 500 is compressed gas, which is often stored in a container, such as container 502. The container 502 is connected to a proportional valve 504, and in turn connected to a control unit (not shown) and may be connected to a heat exchanger (not shown). Alternatively, instead of connecting to a heat exchanger, valve 504 may be connected to a dilution valve (not shown) to dilute the compressed gas with air. Liquid air may be used as the compressed gas.

  FIG. 6 is another circuit diagram of a portable therapeutic cooling system 600 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 600 includes a control unit 602, a control unit 602, and an air mover 604 coupled to a hood 606 or suit 608 if desired. The compressed gas container 610 is further connected to a valve 612. The valve 612 is connected to the control unit 602 and is connected to the upstream region of the air mover 604 in front of the hood 606 or the suit 608. A temperature sensor 614 is provided in the same area and is coupled to the control unit 602 to provide temperature data to the control unit 602 during operation.

  With the suit 608, air is recirculated from the suit 608 to the air mover 604, increasing the efficiency of the system. Compressed air, such as liquid air, provides a cooling stream of air to the hood 606 or suit 612, thereby eliminating the need for a heat exchanger. Flow from the container 610 is controlled by a valve 612 so that in turn, the control unit 602 causes the amount of air passing through the valve to increase or decrease. Although used in terminology and the like, it is understood that air can be any gas, including a fluid that can provide cooling to the output device. It is understood that the hood 606 or suit 608 is inflatable and the hood 606 or suit 608 is a single piece.

  Referring to FIG. 7, another circuit diagram of an alternative portable therapeutic cooling system 700 is shown. A control unit 702 that receives a temperature input from a temperature sensor 703 between a heat exchanger 704 such as a hood 706 and a suit 708 and an output device is provided. The control unit 702 provides a speed control signal to the blower 710, which in turn sends air over the heat exchanger 704 that connects to the ice 712. The recirculation line may be provided between the suit 708 and the blower 710. The recirculation line is a pump or the like, and increases the cooling efficiency of the system 700. Ice 712 provides a cooling source that is generally readily available to users of system 700 in an emergency.

  Each embodiment shown in the drawings is portable and is not limited to this feature, but is configured to be disposable. As such, the examples shown herein may be used by onlookers, paramedics, or anyone who can help after a patient has experienced a serious or life-threatening health event. It provides an effective and portable therapeutic cooling system that can be easily used with little need. Although the cooling described herein is a typical convective cooling system, it is contemplated that a portable, conductive, radiant, or alternative heat transfer mechanism is within the scope of the present invention. It is self-explanatory. Both the hoods and suits shown in the examples are configured to be disposable and avoid the necessary decontamination procedures that normally occur when reusing these devices. Further, when the term air is used, it is understood that this air encompasses any gas, including liquids that can cool the respective output devices (eg, hoods, suits, unit heads and body suits). Is done.

  The above description is a preferred embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. Instead, the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

  The method and apparatus of the present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements.

FIG. 1 is a top cutaway view of a portable therapeutic cooling system shown by one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portable therapeutic cooling system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a portable therapeutic cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is another circuit diagram of a portable therapeutic cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is another circuit diagram of an alternative cooling system used in a portable therapeutic cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is another circuit diagram of a portable therapeutic cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is another circuit diagram of a portable therapeutic cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (32)

In a portable therapeutic cooling unit that cools a patient, the unit:
An inflatable suit for containing a patient, the suit configured to circulate air through the inflatable suit;
A thermal control unit coupled to the inflatable suit, wherein the thermal control unit is configured to circulate air from the thermal control unit into the inflatable suit;
With
The airflow through the inflatable suit is configured to convectively cool the patient, and gently lowers the patient temperature in a temperature range of about 32 ° C to about 34 ° C. Cooling unit for mold therapy.   The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable suit is a single head and body suit.   3. The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 2, wherein the inflatable suit is configured to cool a patient's neck, scalp, and groin. .   2. The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable suit is disposable. The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein:
An air inlet connected to the inflatable suit;
An air outlet connected to the inflatable suit;
Further comprising
The portable therapeutic cooling unit, wherein the thermal control unit is connected to the inflatable suit via the air inlet and the air outlet.   6. The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 5, wherein air guided into the inflatable suit is recirculated from the inflatable suit through the air outlet to the thermal control unit. A portable therapeutic cooling unit, wherein the air is cooled and introduced into the inflatable suit through the air inlet.   6. The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 5, wherein the air outlet discharges air from the inflatable suit to the surrounding environment. The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein:
Mobile power supply;
A portable therapeutic cooling unit, further comprising:   9. A portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 8, wherein the mobile power source is a 12 volt DC battery.   2. The portable treatment cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable suit is a hood configured to wrap and cool a patient's head and neck including the carotid artery. Cooling unit.   11. The portable therapeutic cooling unit according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of outlet veins extending from the hood to the patient's head for cooling the patient's brain region. Cooling unit for mold therapy. In a portable therapeutic cooling system, the system:
A thermal control unit;
An output device coupled to the thermal control unit;
A temperature sensor in communication with the thermal control unit and the output device;
A heat exchanger coupled to the output device and the thermal control unit;
A cooling source coupled to the thermal control unit and the output device;
A blower electrically connected to the thermal control unit and the output device;
A pressure sensor coupled to the thermal control unit and the output device;
With
When the thermal control unit is activated based on inputs from the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor, the thermal control unit passes air through the blower and blows air onto the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger cools. A portable therapeutic cooling system connected to a source to provide cooled air to the output device.   The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 12, wherein the output device comprises a single inflatable head and bodysuit configured to receive a patient.   13. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 12, wherein the output device comprises an inflatable hood configured to be disposed around a patient's head. .   The portable therapeutic cooling system according to claim 12, further comprising a switching valve disposed between the blower, the heat exchanger, and a cooling source.   16. The portable therapeutic cooling system according to claim 15, wherein the cooling source is a Peltier element having a high temperature side and a low temperature side.   17. The portable therapeutic cooling system according to claim 16, wherein the switching valve directs an air flow from a blower to a high temperature side or a low temperature side of the Peltier element, depending on an input received from the thermal control unit. A portable therapeutic cooling system for warming or cooling the patient.   13. The portable therapeutic cooling system according to claim 12, wherein the output device is disposable. In a portable therapeutic cooling system, the system:
A thermal control unit;
An output device coupled to the thermal control unit;
A temperature sensor in communication with the thermal control unit and the output device;
A cooling source coupled to the thermal control unit and the output device;
A blower electrically connected to the thermal control and the output device;
A pressure sensor coupled to the thermal control unit and the output device;
With
A portable therapeutic cooling system, wherein the thermal control unit is configured to control the temperature of the output device.   20. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 19, further comprising a thermal converter coupled to the cooling source and a thermal control unit and coupled to the output device. .   21. The portable therapeutic cooling system according to claim 20, wherein the cooling source is compressed gas, the compressed gas is stored in a container and connected to a proportional valve, and the valve is connected to the thermal control unit. A portable therapeutic cooling system that is configured to be proportional to the amount of compressed gas released from the container to the output device based on input from the thermal control unit.   The portable therapeutic cooling system according to claim 21, wherein the compressed gas is a liquid.   20. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 19, wherein the cooling source is a compressed gas.   24. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 23, wherein the compressed gas is stored in the container and connected to a proportional valve, the valve is connected to the thermal control unit, and the thermal control unit. A portable therapeutic cooling system configured to be proportional to the amount of compressed gas released from the container to the output device based on input from the container.   20. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 19, wherein the output device comprises a single head and bodysuit configured to receive a patient, a hood configured to receive a patient's head, or the patient's body. A portable therapeutic cooling system, characterized in that it is selected from the group consisting of bodysuits configured to enter.   20. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 19, wherein the output device is disposable.   20. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 19, wherein the output device is inflatable. In a portable therapeutic cooling system, the system:
A thermal control unit;
An output device;
A gas mover coupled to the thermal control unit and the output device and configured to move gas to the output device;
A cooling source comprising compressed gas in a container, wherein the container is connected to a valve and, in turn, connected to an upstream region of the gas mover before the thermal control unit and the output device;
A temperature sensor in communication with the thermal control unit and the output device configured to provide feedback to the thermal control unit during operation;
With
The valve is configured to increase or decrease the amount of gas provided to the output device;
A portable therapeutic cooling system, wherein gas from the output device is configured to be recirculated to the gas mover.   29. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 28, wherein the output device is disposable.   29. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 28, wherein the output device comprises a single head and bodysuit configured to receive a patient, a hood configured to receive a patient's head, or the patient's body. A portable therapeutic cooling system, characterized in that it is selected from the group consisting of bodysuits configured to enter.   29. The portable therapeutic cooling system of claim 28, wherein the output device is disposable. In a portable therapeutic cooling system, the system:
A thermal control unit;
An output device;
A variable speed gas mover coupled to the thermal control unit and the output device and configured to move gas to the output device;
A cooling source with ice;
A heat exchanger connected to the ice;
A temperature sensor in communication with the thermal control unit and the output device configured to provide feedback to the thermal control unit during operation;
A recirculation line connected to the thermal control unit and the variable speed gas mover;
With
The speed variable gas mover is configured to move gas onto the heat exchanger connected to the cooling source, and the cooled gas is moved to the output device.

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