PT106930A - WORKING SURFACE WITH CONTROLLED HEATING AREA FOR BODY TEMPERATURE MAINTENANCE IN ANIMALS - Google Patents

Abstract

SURFACE OF WORK WITH HEATING AREA FOR MAINTENANCE OF BODY TEMPERATURE IN ANIMALS, CHARACTERIZED BY UNDERSTANDING: TOP PLATE (1); COMPLEMENTARY PLATE (2); HEATING ELEMENT (3) DELIMITED BY A DEFINED AREA OF WORK SURFACE; HEATING ELEMENT AND CONTROL SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT (4); A FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEM COMPRISING A TEMPERATURE PROBE (7) AND A TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER (5) IN A SUPPORT STRUCTURE (6). PREFERENTIALLY, THE TOP PLATE IS GLASS OR OTHER NON POROUS RIGID MATERIAL; THE COMPLEMENTARY PLATE (2) IS IN PHENOLIC RESIN OR GLASS OR OTHER HARD, NON-ABSORBENT, NON-POROUS MATERIAL; THE HEATING ELEMENT (3) IS RESISTANT; THE INVOLVER IS SUBSTANTIALLY DRAINED TO PROTECT THE HEATING ELEMENT AND THE CONTROL SYSTEM; THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER CALCULATES THE TEMPERATURE AND THE PROPORTIONAL, INTEGRAL AND DERIVATIVE MODE TIME. PREFERENTIAL, THE COMPLEMENTARY PLATE (2) IS PLACED UNDER THE TOP PLATE AND THE HEATING ELEMENT (3) IS PLACED UNDER THE TOP PLATE IN AN AREA COMPREHENDED IN A COMPLEMENTARY PLATE CUT (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK SURFACE WITH CONTROLLED HEATING AREA FOR BODY TEMPERATURE MAINTENANCE IN ANIMALS "

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a work surface with controlled heating zone for maintaining body temperature in animals, in particular during surgery under anesthesia, applied in veterinary clinics, veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals and animal research centers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hypothermia induced by anesthesia and surgery can alter physiological processes, prolong anesthetic recovery time, or even result in death (Flecknell, 1996; Arras et al., 2001; Rembert et al., 2004). All animals and rodents in particular are especially prone to hypothermia because they have a large surface area relative to their small body mass (Flecknell, 1996). The result is a rapid drop in core body temperature during general anesthesia. Thus, it is recommended to use heating devices to avoid excessive heat loss during anesthetic and surgical procedures.

The heating devices most commonly used in anesthetic / surgical practice are hot water circulation blankets, heat lamps and electric heating blankets. These systems prevent the occurrence of hypothermia by providing a continuous source of heat placed beneath the animal. The use of these devices must always be carried out under constant supervision in order to avoid thermal injuries and iatrogenic hyperthermia due to the use of these devices. These systems are based on a feedback control system, i.e. the control is based on the measurement of the body temperature of the animal. However, some systems available on the market are based on the application of electrical resistances that normally do not allow a homogeneous diffusion of heat. In this context, it has recently been shown that some devices can induce burns and compromise animal well-being (Antunes et al, 2008) and alter the experimental results obtained with animals when they are used as animal models.

References

Antunes LM, Pinto ML, Silva AM and Alves H (2008). Accidental ear burns following anesthesia in mice. Scandinavia Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, 35 (4), 299-301.

Arras M, Autenried P, Rettich A, Spaeni D and Rulicke T (2004). Optimization of intraperitoneal injection anesthesia in mice: drugs, dosages, adverse effects, and anesthesia depth. Comparative Medicine, 51 (5), 443-56. Flecknell PA (1996). Laboratory animal anesthesia: a practical introduction for research workers and technicians; London: Academic Press.

Rembert MS, Smith JA and Hosgood G (2004. A comparison of a forced-air warming system to traditional thermal support for rodent microenvironments, Laboratory Animal, 38 (1), 55-63.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a working surface with a zone of heating for maintaining body temperature in animals, applied in veterinary clinics, veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals and animal research centers. The present invention comprises a glass working surface or materials of equivalent characteristics and a complementary plate in phenolic resins or glass or materials of equivalent characteristics; a resistive heating element and a housing housing a temperature control system. The present invention has use in tables of surgery, equipment for maintenance of animal temperature, recovery, intensive care and laboratory furniture, with aseptic materials or of easy decontamination, or in environments with less restrictions.

There is described a work surface with heating area for maintaining body temperature in animals, comprising: top plate; complementary plate; demarcated heating element of a defined area of the work surface; wrapping for the heating element and control system; a feedback control system comprising a temperature probe and a temperature controller.

In a preferred embodiment, the top plate is of glass or other rigid non-porous material; the complementary plate is in phenolic resin or glass or other rigid, non-absorbent, non-porous material; the heating element is resistive; the housing is substantially watertight to protect the heating element and the control system; the temperature controller calculates the temperature and the time in proportional, integral and derivative mode and comprises a solid state relay or equivalent.

In a preferred embodiment, the complementary plate is placed under the top plate and the heating element is placed under the top plate in an area comprised in a cutout of the complimentary plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the top plate is 5-12mm thick and the heating element 50-80W of power, in particular 6-10mm thick and 40-60W power, more in particular 8mm thick and 40-60W of power, said powers being for an area of 0.03m. The power ratings must be adjusted according to the size of the heating area on the top plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the top plate is 5-12mm thick and the heating element 1667-2667W / m2 power, in particular 6-10mm thick and 1333-2000W / m2 power, more in particular 8mm thick and 1333-2000W / m2 of power. The power ratings must be adjusted according to the size of the heating area on the top plate. The technical solution presented, work area with controlled heating zone to maintain the body temperature in animals, allows to spread the heat provided in a homogeneous way, ensuring uniformity of temperature throughout the heating zone. The materials chosen for the top surface and for the complementary plate are such that they do not allow the accumulation of heat concentrates that may cause bodily burns in the animals. 4

The current systems available on the market are not designed to meet the needs of asepsis that the animal surgery activity requires. In this sense, the materials used in the top surface and in the complementary plate allow the various components to be integrated, guaranteeing a heating surface and easy disinfection, thus avoiding contamination.

This work surface is intended for use in veterinary clinics, veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals and animal research centers, making it possible to preserve the central temperature of animals during anesthetic / surgical or recovery practices without causing burns or thermal injuries to animals.

This system also allows the conservation of a high level of asepsis, given the lack of potential sources of contamination. This surface is also applicable in confined laboratory areas where anesthetic / surgical practices are carried out on animals, such as bioterrories and clean rooms, due to their aseptic characteristics.

This surface preferably has no accumulating protrusions of dust, dirt and other foci of contamination, being composed of non-porous materials and of great ease of decontamination. The work surface consists of a glass and a phenolic resins plate and has a central heating zone controlled to maintain the temperature in the animals. It is characterized by the absence of roughness, cracks or other irregularities that may constitute a source of contamination. At the base of the surface 5 a housing is preferably available, so as to confine the electronic devices, contributing to the asepsis of the assembly. The technology for maintaining the temperature of the recovering animal consists of a resistive element for heating a defined area of the work surface, connected to a feedback system with temperature feedback of the animal with the following characteristics: the temperature in the animal is monitored from of a rectal probe or probe implanted in the animal which transmits a signal to a controller, for example of the type which calculates temperature and time in proportional, integral and derivative mode, with an actuator, for example a relay, for example solid state or equivalent, which in turn commands the resistive element to supply more or less heat by controlling the temperature of the animal at a predetermined value.

Preferably, the housing installed in the base confines the entire zone of potential contamination of the electronic devices.

Both the glass and the plate of phenolic resins have a great disinfectant and decontaminating capacity suitable for use in aseptic environments. The glass has such a heat capacity that it conducts slowly and evenly the heat received.

This equipment can be used in countertops, chemistry cabinets, laboratory furniture, or other equipment for laboratory practices. The glass top plate may be of other materials such as glass, material which is transparent rigid, non-porous, chemically resistant, in particular polycarbonate, laminated glass, chemically enriched glass for increased strength, or tempered glass. The complementary glass or resin plate may be in other materials such as glass or resin, i.e. a rigid, non-porous, chemically resistant material in particular phenolic resin, medium density fiberboard (MDF), wood fiber board high density polyethylene (HDF), polycarbonate, polyester or acrylic copolymers, or derivatives thereof, in particular polyester or acrylic agglomerates with inert particles. There is disclosed a work surface with a heating area for maintaining body temperature in animals which comprises: top glass plate or other rigid material with equivalent thermal properties, non-porous, and easy to disinfect; complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass or other rigid material, non-absorbent, non-porous and easily disinfected; resistive element for heated enclosure of a defined area of the work surface; substantially watertight enclosure to the agents present in the laboratory environment and disinfecting agents customary in these spaces which protects the resistive element and the control system; a feedback control system comprised of a rectal temperature probe or a probe 7 implanted in the animal, a controller that calculates temperature and time in proportional, integral and derivative mode with solid state relay or equivalent.

In a preferred embodiment, the resistive element has a coating to ensure uniformity of temperature throughout its surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the top glass plate heats uniformly along the projection area of the resistive element, without any focus of thermal energy concentration that may cause bodily burns in the animals.

In a preferred embodiment, the resistive element temperature control system as a function of the temperature measured in the probe implanted in the animal is such that the maximum temperature variation in the animal is ± 1 ° C.

In a preferred embodiment, the top plate is in glass or polycarbonate, in particular laminated glass, chemically enriched glass for increased strength, or tempered glass.

In a preferred embodiment, the complementary plate is glass, resin, phenolic resin, MDF medium density wood fiber board, HDF high density wood fiber board, polycarbonate, polyester or acrylic, or derivatives thereof, in particular agglomerates of polyester or acrylic with inert particles. 8

In a preferred embodiment, the top plate encompasses the entire top surface of the work surface so that there is no crevice or roughness at its top.

A preferred embodiment comprises substantially smooth materials having no sharp edges, no visible holes and no holes to be filled.

There is further described a counter top, chemistry hood or laboratory furniture item which comprises a work surface as any of the previously described.

Description of Figures

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For ease of understanding of the invention, the following are attached figures which represent preferred embodiments of the invention which, however, are not intended to limit the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 1: Schematic representation of the equipment assembly where: (1) represents top glass plate; (2) represents complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass; (3) represents resistive element for heating; (4) is substantially watertight housing which protects the resistive element and the control system; (5) represents a probe and temperature controller control system; (6) represents support structure; and (7) represents temperature probe.

Figure 2: Schematic sectional representation with mounting of the top glass plates (1) and complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass (2) and the resistive element for heating (3).

Figure 3: Schematic representation seen below the assembly of the top glass plates (1) and complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass (2) and the resistive element for heating (3).

Figure 4: Schematic representation of section with assembly of the top glass plates (1) and complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass (2), the resistive element for heating (3), a substantially watertight enclosure that protects the resistive element and the system (4) for the heating element and the control system, and the control system with probe and temperature controller (5).

Figure 5: Graphical representation of the evolution of surface temperature over time expressed in minutes for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, for starting the equipment in the passage of ambient temperature for a temperature target of 37 ° C, the temperature probe being placed on the heated surface.

Figure 6: Graphical representation of the evolution of surface temperature over time expressed in minutes for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, for the target temperature reduction of 37 ° C to 33 ° C, the temperature probe being placed on the heated surface. 10

Figure 7: Graphical representation of the evolution of surface temperature over time expressed in minutes for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, for the objective temperature increase of 33 ° C to 37 ° C, the temperature probe being placed on the heated surface.

Figure 8: Graphical representation of the surface temperature evolution over time expressed in minutes for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, at a target temperature of 37 ° C when the probe temperature is set for one minute to " air " and then settling on the heated surface.

Figure 1 shows the main elements of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus with top glass plate (1) or other rigid material with equivalent, non-porous, equivalent thermal properties and easy disinfection; complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass (2) or other rigid, non-absorbent, non-porous and easily disinfected material; resistive heating element (3) of a defined area of the working surface; (4) to the agents present in the laboratory environment and disinfection agents, which protects the resistive element and the control system; control system (5) with feedback with probe and temperature controller; support structure (6) and temperature probe (7). Figure 2 shows a side section of the main elements of a preferred embodiment of the equipment with top glass plate (1) or other rigid material having equivalent, non-porous, and easily disinfected thermal properties; (2) or other rigid material, non-absorbent, non-porous and easily disinfected; resistive heating element (3) of a defined area of the working surface. Figure 3 shows the main elements of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus in a bottom perspective with top glass plate (1) or other rigid material with equivalent, non-porous, thermal properties and easy disinfection; complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass (2) or other rigid, non-absorbent, non-porous and easily disinfected material; resistive heating element (3) of a defined area of the working surface. Figure 4 shows a side section of the main elements of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus in a bottom perspective with top glass plate (1) or other rigid material with equivalent, non-porous, thermal properties and easy disinfection; complementary plate in phenolic resin or glass (2) or other rigid, non-absorbent, non-porous and easily disinfected material; resistive heating element (3) of a defined area of the working surface; (4) to the agents present in the laboratory environment and disinfection agents, which protects the resistive element and the control system. Figure 5 shows a graphical representation of the evolution of the surface temperature for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, for starting the equipment in the passage from room temperature to a target of temperature of 37 ° C, the temperature probe being located on the heated surface which is 0.03m2. It is clearly noticeable that a greater thickness of glass requires a greater heating power, since, for a glass thickness of 16mm and with 40W of power, the target temperature does not stabilize, being an achievement to reject. For the remaining alternatives, and even given the slight variations in initial ambient temperature, the target temperature is reached from 8 to 14 minutes. Figure 6 shows a graphical representation of the evolution of surface temperature for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, for the target temperature reduction from 37 ° C to 33 ° C, and the temperature probe is placed on the heated surface which is 0.03m2. The temperature for the thickness of 16mm, regardless of the power of the heating element, is much slower to cool regardless of the power of the heating element, in which the alternative 16mm + 60W takes another 4-6 minutes and the alternative 16mm + 120W it takes more 6-8 minutes than the 8mm alternatives. The reduced thickness 13, regardless of the power of the heating element, is advantageous in allowing faster cooling. This is useful for, in case of overheating, for example caused by external cooling in the temperature probe, to reduce the temperature more rapidly at a temperature which prevents burns to an animal which is placed on the top surface in the heating zone. Figure 7 shows a graphical representation of the evolution of surface temperature for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, for the objective temperature increase from 33 ° C to 37 ° C, and the temperature probe is placed on the heated surface which is 0.03m2. The temperature for the thickness of 16mm is much slower to heat, regardless of the power of the heating element, in that the alternatives of 16mm take more 4-6 minutes than the alternatives of 8mm. The smaller thickness, regardless of the power of the heating element, is advantageous in allowing faster heating. This is useful for, in the event of unexpected cooling, for example by washing the top surface with a large amount of cold liquid, raising the temperature more rapidly at a temperature which prevents situations of hypothermia to an animal which is placed on the surface top in the heating zone. Figure 8 shows a graphical representation of the evolution of surface temperature for different thicknesses of a glass plate with different wattages of the heating element placed under the glass plate, for target temperature of 37 ° C when the temperature probe is placed for one minute to " air " and soon after, it is placed on the heated surface that is of 0,03m2. The temperature for the 16mm thickness reaches undesired peaks, regardless of the heating element's power, since differences greater than 1 ° C may be sufficient to cause burns on more sensitive parts of the body, such as the ears, of an animal that is placed on the top surface in the heating zone. The reduced thickness is advantageous, regardless of the power of the heating element, as it avoids causing these potentially dangerous temperature peaks.

From the above-mentioned embodiments, it is seen that the thickness reduction of the top plate allows to obtain heating and, accordingly, cooling more quickly. However, the reduction of the thickness weakens the surface, whereby the introduction of the complementary plate allows to obtain a structure which is both solid and has a reduced thickness between the heating element and the top surface.

The following claims further define preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Lisbon, August 25, 2014 15

Claims (10)

Working surface with heating area for maintaining body temperature in animals, characterized in that it comprises: - top plate; - complementary plate placed under the top plate; heating element delimited by a defined area of the working surface placed under the top plate in an area comprised in a cutout of the complementary plate; - wrapping for the heating element and control system; - feedback control system comprising a temperature probe and a temperature controller. Working surface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - the top plate is of glass or other rigid non-porous material; the complementary plate is in phenolic resin or glass or other rigid, non-absorbent, non-porous material; the heating element is resistive; the housing is substantially watertight to protect the heating element and the control system; - the temperature controller calculates temperature and time in proportional, integral and derivative mode and comprises a solid-state relay or equivalent. Working surface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top plate is 5-12mm thick and the heating element 1667-2667W / m2 power, in particular 6-10mm thick and 1333- 2000W / m2 power, more in particular 8mm thick and 1333-2000W / m2 power. Working surface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resistive element comprises a coating to uniform the temperature along its surface. Working surface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating element temperature control system as a function of the temperature measured in the probe implanted in the animal is configured for a maximum temperature variation in the animal of ± 1 ° W. Working surface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top plate is made of glass or polycarbonate, in particular laminated glass, chemically enriched glass for increased strength, or tempered glass. Working surface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complementary plate is made of glass, resin, phenolic resin, MDF medium density fiberboard, HDF high density fiberboard, polycarbonate, polyester or acrylic copolymers, or derivatives thereof, in particular polyester or acrylic agglomerates with inert particles. Working surface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top plate comprises the upper totality of the working surface, so that there is no crevice or roughness at the top thereof. Working surface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top plate, complementary plate and respective support structures are in substantially smooth materials, without sharp edges, without visible holes and without holes to be filled. A workbench, chemistry hood or laboratory furniture item characterized in that it comprises the work surface according to any one of the preceding claims. Lisbon, August 25, 2014 3