JPH01268553A - Apparatus for automatically lowering and raising bodily temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To precisely control bodily temp. and to prevent the effect on medical diagnosis, by mounting a mat wherein a heating medium is recirculated, a means for recirculating the heating medium, a means for pressing a heating medium recirculation circuit to the outside and a means for controlling the temp. of the heating medium while using air as the heating medium. CONSTITUTION:The air taken in from a suction port 21 is compressed by a compressor 13 to be supplied to an air passage 10 and recirculated in the closed circuit of an apparatus 1 in the direction shown by an arrow by operating a fan 19. Required temp. is preset by a temp. setting device and the temp. of the air on the outlet side of a constant temp. tank 14 is detected by temp. sensors 17, 18 to measure the difference between the detected temp. and the set temp. and, when the difference is generated, a heater unit 15 and a cooling unit 16 are respectively subjected to feedback control. By this method, the bodily temp. of a serious case whose bodily temp. can not be controlled or that of a patient whose bodily temp. must be forcibly controlled from the outside can be controlled. Since air is used as a heating medium, it is prevented that X-ray imaging or various machinery receive any effect.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an automatic body temperature cooling/warming device used for medical purposes such as surgical operating tables.

(Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the medical field, devices for maintaining body temperature are sometimes used, for example, to control the rise and fall of the body temperature of a surgical patient. Conventionally, such a body temperature maintenance device has been known in which a vinyl muff F is placed on the operating table, a water pipe is connected to the vinyl mat, and heated or cooled water is circulated as a heat medium. ing.

However, since the above-described body temperature maintenance device uses water as a heat medium, there are problems as described below. That is: (1) When using ME equipment such as electric scalpels, sufficient insulation between the ground and the operating table for circulating water may not be provided, resulting in burns and macrosurgery. The risk to the patient increases.

(2) Drastic temperature changes caused by water with a large specific heat may cause burns or frostbite to the patient's tissues in contact with the mat.

(3) Mats with water channels are laid down, which reduces elasticity and causes bedsores.

(4) The shadow of the waterway appears when taking X-ray measurements.

(5) Mold and moss grow inside the water pipes, making it unhygienic.

(6) Water leaks from waterway joints, or from pinholes created when bottles, etc. are inserted into waterway pipes.

(7) Vinyl mats have low ventilation, so moisture can cause stuffiness.

Due to the various problems mentioned above, there is a problem in that it is not possible to sufficiently cope with recent advanced medical technology.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and it is possible to control the body temperature with high precision without causing any adverse effects such as burns on the patient's body, and moreover, it is possible to accurately control medical diagnosis using X-ray photography, etc. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic body temperature cooling/warming device that prevents the body temperature from affecting the body temperature.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the automatic body temperature cooling/warming device of the present invention includes a heat medium circulation circuit forming a closed circuit, and a heat medium circulation circuit arranged in the heat medium circulation circuit. A mat in which a medium circulates, a means for circulating a heat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit, a means for pressurizing the inside of the heat medium circulation circuit with respect to the outside, and a means for controlling the temperature of the heat medium. The heating medium is equipped with air and is configured to use air as the heat medium.

(Function) Since air is used as a heat medium, the circulation path is dry and clean, and does not affect the measurement values of ME equipment, X-ray photography, etc.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the automatic body temperature cooling/warming device according to the present invention. The mat 2 and the heat medium control device 3 are connected by a flexible hose 4.5. The flexible hose 4.5 has detachable couplings 6.7 attached to the air inlet 2a and air outlet 2b of the mat 2, respectively, and a detachable coupling 8.9 attached to the heat medium control device 3. It is removably attached between the two. The mat 2 is made of a sheet-like material such as cloth, and has an air pocket formed inside. By using air as a heat medium, the mat 2 can be made of cloth, making it possible to prevent stuffiness on the surface that comes into contact with the patient.

The heat medium control device 3 includes an air passage 10 for forming a closed circuit for circulating air as a heat medium, means for controlling the temperature of the air (temperature control means) 11, means for circulating the air (circulation means) 12, and It is comprised of means (pressurizing means) 13 for pressurizing the air circulating in the air passage 10 relative to external pressure.

The temperature control means 11 includes a constant temperature tank 14 disposed in the air passage 10, a heater unit 15 in which a heating section 15a and a cooling section 16a are respectively disposed in the constant temperature tank 14, a cooling unit 16, and an outlet of the constant temperature tank. It is composed of temperature sensors 17 and 18 for detecting the temperature in the vicinity, and the temperature sensor 17 is connected to the heater unit 15, and the temperature sensor 18 is connected to the cooling unit 16, respectively. Heater unit 1
As the heating section 15a of No. 5, a nichrome wire heater, a heating medium circulating type, or the like is used. Note that the heater unit 15 and the cooling unit 16 are equipped with control devices W, (
(not shown) are built-in, and the air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 17, 18 is fed back to these control devices to control, for example, the amount of electricity or the amount of heat medium to the heating section 15a of the heater unit 15, Temperature control is performed by controlling the amount of refrigerant in each cooling unit 16.

The circulation means 12 is composed of a fan 19 disposed near the inlet of the constant temperature tank 14 and a motor 20 disposed outside the constant temperature tank 14 for driving the fan 19. Since the circulation means 12 does not need to have the function of securing an air passage, the capacity of the motor 20 may be small.

The pressurizing means 13 is a compressor disposed upstream of the constant temperature tank 14, compresses the air taken in from the intake port 21, and supplies the compressed air to the air passage IO.

Since the air circuit in which air as a heat medium circulates is closed, a compressor with a small capacity is sufficient.

The action will be explained below.

The mat 2 is placed on an operating table (not shown), and the mat 2 and the heat medium control device 3 are connected with flexible hoses 4.
Connect by 5. The compressor l3 is operated to compress the air taken in from the intake port 21 and supplied to the air passage 10, and the fan 19 is created by the motor 20 to direct this compressed air into the closed circuit of the device 1 as indicated by the arrow in the figure. Circulate in the direction shown.

At this time, the required temperature is set in advance using a temperature setting device (not shown), and the temperature of the air on the outlet side of the constant temperature tank 14 is detected by the temperature sensor 17.18, and the difference from the above set temperature is measured. If this occurs, the heater unit 15 and cooling unit 16 are each controlled by feedback. In this way, the air that has reached a predetermined temperature in the constant-temperature tank 14 flows into the mat 2 from the air inlet 2a through the flexible hose 4, and again through the flexible hose 5 from the air outlet 2b'. The air is supplied to the air passage IO of the heat medium control device 3. This cycle is repeated thereafter.

By placing the patient on this mat 2, it becomes possible to control the body temperature of critically ill patients who cannot control their body temperature or patients whose body temperature needs to be forcibly controlled from the outside.

Since air is used as a heat medium in this way, the entire circulation path can be kept clean without becoming damp. Further, it is possible to prevent X-ray shadows and various ME equipment from being affected. Furthermore, even if the heat medium leaks, there is an advantage that it will not cause any damage to the outside because it is air.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the automatic body temperature cooling/warming device of the present invention, in which the same components as in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The 0 body temperature automatic cooling/warming device 1'', which will not be described in detail with respect to the same components, is a heat medium control device 3 composed of a mat 2 and a heat medium control device 3' connected to the mat. ° is an air path for forming a closed circuit for circulating air as a heat medium; 1 is a means for controlling the temperature of the air (temperature control means); 11' is a means for circulating air (circulation means) 12 and inside the air passage 10; Means for pressurizing circulating air against external pressure (pressurizing means) 1
Consists of 3.

The temperature control means 11' is composed of a low temperature tank 22 that generates low temperature air and a high temperature tank 23 that generates high temperature air. Specifically, the air passage IO branches into a low-temperature passage 10a and a high-temperature passage 10b on the downstream side of the circulation means 12, and the low-temperature passage 10a and the high-temperature passage 10b pass through a switching valve 24 and a switching valve 25, respectively, to re-air the air. It is connected to the passage IO and connected to the mat 2 via a constant temperature tank 14. A branch path 10a° is formed in the low temperature path 10a, passing through the low temperature tank 22 and reaching the switching valve 24. The low temperature tank 22 includes a heat absorber 26, a heat radiator 27, and a fan 30 disposed between the two and driven by a compressor 28 and a motor 29. Furthermore, a temperature sensor 31 disposed within the low temperature tank 22 is provided. It is connected to the compressor 28. Note that a refrigerator 32 is composed of a radiator 27, a compressor 28, a motor 29, and a fan 30.

On the other hand, the high temperature path 10b passes through the high temperature tank 23 and then the switching valve 2.
A branch path 10b' leading to the high temperature tank 5 is formed, and a blowing fan 35 driven by a heater 33 and a motor 34 is disposed inside the high temperature tank 23. Heater 33
Electrification is controlled on and off by a switch 36, and a temperature sensor 37 disposed inside the high temperature tank 23 is connected to the switch 36.

Temperature sensors 38 and 39 are disposed within the constant temperature tank 14, and the temperature sensor 38 is connected to the switching valve 24 of the low temperature path tOa, and the temperature sensor 39 is connected to the switching valve 25 of the high temperature path 10b.

The action will be explained below.

The compressor 13 is operated to compress the air taken in from the intake port 21 and supplied to the air passage 10, and the fan 19 is operated by the motor 20 to supply this compressed air into the closed circuit of the device l as indicated by the arrow in the figure. Circulate in the direction shown.

Air flowing into the air passage 10 from the air outlet 2b of the mat 2 via the flexible hose 5 is divided into a low temperature passage 10a and a high temperature passage 1 (Lb) and flows through each passage, and in the low temperature passage 10a, the air flows through the downstream side of the low temperature passage 10a. A part of the air passes through the constant temperature tank 22 at a rate corresponding to the opening degree of the switching valve 24, becomes low temperature air, and passes through the switching valve 24.Similarly, in the high temperature path 10b, the opening degree of the switching valve 25 A part of the air passes through the high temperature tank 23 at a rate corresponding to
Pass 5. Air passage l on the outlet side of the switching valve 24.25
At O, these low-temperature air and high-temperature air are mixed and introduced into the constant temperature tank 14.

In the constant temperature tank 14, temperature sensors 38 and 39 detect the temperature of this mixed air, measure the difference from the preset temperature, and if a difference occurs, the switching valve 24 of the low temperature path 10a or the high temperature path 10b is The temperature is controlled by feeding back to each switching valve 25. Therefore, when there is no heat radiation or heat absorption in the mat 2, the switching valves 24 and 25 completely block the branch paths 10a'' and iob' side leading to the low temperature tank 22 and the high temperature tank 23, so that air flows through the low temperature path 10a and the iob' side. high temperature path f
It passes through ob as it is and circulates.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the automatic body temperature cooling/warming device of the present invention, in which the same components as in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Note that a detailed explanation of these same components will be omitted. The body temperature automatic cooling/warming device 1'' is composed of a mat 2 and a heat medium control device 3'' connected to the mat.The temperature control means 11'' is a constant temperature tank 14 and is disposed within the constant temperature tank 14. It is composed of a heat pump 40. The heat pump 40 has first and second heat exchangers 41
．． 42, a fan 44 driven by a motor 43, and a compressor 46 connected to heat exchangers 41 and 42 via a switching valve 45. When the heat pump 40 is used as a heater by the switching valve 45, The heat exchanger 41 acts as a heat radiator, and conversely, when used as a cooler, the heat exchanger 41 acts as a heat absorber.

A temperature sensor 47 disposed within the constant temperature tank 14 is connected to the compressor 46 .

Then, the temperature of the air circulating in the air passage 10 is detected by the temperature sensor 47 in the constant temperature tank 14, and the difference between the measured temperature and a preset temperature is fed back to the compressor 46 to operate the heat pump 40, The temperature inside the constant temperature tank 14 is controlled to a predetermined temperature by discharging the heat inside the constant temperature tank 14 to the outside or taking in external heat.

In the first to third embodiments described above, since the pressurizing means and the circulation means for air, which is a heat medium, are separately arranged, each capacity is sufficient even if it is very small.
This has the advantage that the entire device can be downsized.

Since the mat 2 is made of cloth, there is a slight air leakage, but this does not affect the capacity of the compressor.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the automatic body temperature cooling/warming device of the present invention, there is provided a heat medium circulation circuit forming a closed circuit, and a mat disposed in the heat medium circulation circuit in which a heat medium is placed in an I-ring. and means for circulating a heat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit, means for pressurizing the inside of the heat medium circulation circuit with respect to the outside, and means for controlling the temperature of the heat medium, wherein air is used as the heat medium. Because the configuration uses
This prevents adverse effects such as stuffiness and influences on each IMME device, X-ray shadow, etc.

Further, since the heat medium circulation path is dry, it is maintained in a clean state, and even if the heat medium leaks, it has the advantage that it does not affect others because it is air. Therefore, it can be effectively used not only on an operating table but also in a wide range of areas such as an X-ray treatment table and an X-ray treatment table.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 to 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of first to third embodiments of the automatic body temperature cooling and warming device of the present invention. 1.1', l”...Body temperature automatic cooling/warming device, 2...
Mat, 3,3°, 3"...heat medium control device, 4°5
...Flexible hose, 10...Air passage, 10
a...low temperature path, i o b-...high temperature path, 10a'
, 10b'... Branch road, 11.11', 11''...
Temperature control means, l2... Circulation means, 13... Compressor (pressurizing means), 14... Low temperature tank, 15...
・Heater unit, 16... Cooling unit, 22...
- Low temperature tank, 23... High temperature tank, 32... Refrigerator, 33-... Heater, 40... Heat pump, 17
．． 1B, 31.37-39.47...Temperature sensor. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 ″11゛

Claims (1)

[Claims] a heat medium circulation circuit forming a closed circuit; a mat disposed in the heat medium circulation circuit through which the heat medium circulates; a means for circulating the heat medium in the heat medium circulation circuit; 1. An automatic body temperature cooling/warming device characterized in that the device comprises means for pressurizing the heat medium, and means for controlling the temperature of the heat medium, and uses air as the heat medium.