WO2009019462A1 - Matériels de régulation de température - Google Patents

Matériels de régulation de température Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009019462A1
WO2009019462A1 PCT/GB2008/002647 GB2008002647W WO2009019462A1 WO 2009019462 A1 WO2009019462 A1 WO 2009019462A1 GB 2008002647 W GB2008002647 W GB 2008002647W WO 2009019462 A1 WO2009019462 A1 WO 2009019462A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
material according
evaporator tube
fluid
heat
coupled
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2008/002647
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tilak Dias
Banda Delkumburewatte
Original Assignee
Remploy Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Remploy Limited filed Critical Remploy Limited
Publication of WO2009019462A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009019462A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F7/02—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F7/10—Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F2007/0059—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with an open fluid circuit
    • A61F2007/0063—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with an open fluid circuit for cooling
    • A61F2007/0064—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with an open fluid circuit for cooling of gas
    • A61F2007/0065—Causing evaporation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F7/007—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating
    • A61F2007/0075—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F2007/0086—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with a thermostat
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F7/02—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
    • A61F2007/0225—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling connected to the body or a part thereof
    • A61F2007/0233—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling connected to the body or a part thereof connected to or incorporated in clothing or garments
    • A61F2007/0234—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling connected to the body or a part thereof connected to or incorporated in clothing or garments for the upper part of the trunk, e.g. bodice
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F7/02—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
    • A61F2007/0244—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling with layers
    • A61F2007/0246—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling with layers with a layer having high heat transfer capability

Definitions

  • This invention relates to materials for use in garments, and incorporating a system for cooling the body of the wearer of such a garment. It uses technology disclosed in our published International Patent Publication No: WO 2008/053,227, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. That publication discloses a material having a cooling system in the form of a refrigeration network in which a fluid is released from a pressurised source to absorb heat as it expands.
  • Cooling systems for garments are known, and reference is directed to the following US Patent publications, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the US Patents are Nos: 4,188,946; 4,738,119; 4,998,415; and 6,009,713.
  • an additional heat transfer device is incorporated in a cooling system of the kind disclosed in our International Patent Publication referred to above.
  • a material has a cooling system in the form of a refrigeration network in which fluid is released from a pressurised source to absorb heat as it evaporates and expands.
  • the cooling system comprises a source of pressurised fluid coupled to a control valve at the proximal end of an elongate evaporator tube; at least one heat exchanger coupled to the evaporator tube and through which the released fluid passes; and a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the heat exchanger.
  • a number of miniaturised heat exchangers are spaced along the length of the evaporator tube through which the released fluid passes.
  • the or each heat exchanger will normally have an exposed surface, from which heat is progressively absorbed by the flowing fluid, which would result in the development of a gas/liquid mixture along the evaporator tube.
  • the or each heat exchanger can take many forms, such as rectangular or hexagonal box shape; they can be also be cylindrical. At either end of a heat exchanger two connectors can be fitted for attaching the evaporator tube.
  • thermoelectric coolers are coupled to the evaporator tube, preferably to the miniaturised heat exchangers.
  • the thermoelectric cooler or coolers are normally fitted to the surface of the respective heat exchanger, to effectively control (delay) the cooling effect of the expanding gas.
  • they can also be used to control the distribution of the temperature within a cooling garment.
  • Thermoelectric coolers of this type used in this invention exploit the Peltier effect to transfer heat from one side of the respective device to the other.
  • the released gas will pass through the "cool" side of the device, and the system will be disposed in a garment with that cool side facing the wearer's body.
  • the transferred heat will dissipate from the other side.
  • the cooler will of course need to be coupled to a source of electrical power, but the power requirement is relatively low and may be provided by a battery as part of the cooling system itself.
  • Thermoelectric coolers used in the present invention may take many forms, and can be adapted to the form of the heat exchanger with which they are to be used in the system. Most simply, the evaporator tube is coupled to a heat exchanger with one cooling surface exposed for contact or juxtaposition with the material surface, and the other engaging the thermoelectric cooler. The area of these surfaces is typically of the order of 25mm 2 , with the heat exchanger and the cooler having a thickness of around 10mm. This compact size enables the cooler and heat exchanger combination to be readily incorporated in cooling systems of the kind referred to above.
  • thermoelectric cooling By incorporating thermoelectric cooling in systems of the kind referred to, the ratio of gas-liquid mixture in the heat exchanger can be controlled resulting in a significant enhancement of the cooling effect, and importantly the rate of release of fluid from the pressurised source can be reduced. This means that the cooling system can operate for a longer period using fluid from a particular source.
  • the control valve when the control valve is opened pressurised fluid is released to pass along the evaporator tube. It will normally be released as a liquid, and progressively change state as it moves along the tube, absorbing heat as it does.
  • the manner in which the evaporator tube extends within the material can be adapted for a particular application, and greater lengths of it can in use be disposed in areas where heat generation is likely to be greatest.
  • the valve controls the passage of gas from the source into the evaporator tube, and thereby the transfer of heat thereto as the gas passes through the tube. It may be adapted to release the gas intermittently and/or in response to sensed conditions.
  • a discharge valve may be disposed at the distal end of the evaporator tube to provide controlled release of gas to the outside atmosphere under higher pressure.
  • the gas may be received in a collector at its distal end.
  • a plurality of collectors may be provided for this purpose, enabling one to be replaced by another when it is saturated.
  • the discharge point at the distal end of the evaporator tube can be open, allowing vaporised fluid to issue directly into the atmosphere.
  • a fluid collector coupled to the discharge point at the distal end of the evaporator tube can take a number of forms.
  • One is a simple reservoir which receives the fluid through a one way valve at the discharge point.
  • Various valving arrangements can be used to ensure that the discharge is contained, and a mechanism can be provided to issue a signal when the collector can no longer accept further fluid. This will normally be a pressure sensor.
  • Flow of fluid into a closed reservoir forming the collector can be enhanced if the interior of the reservoir is initially at less than atmospheric pressure.
  • a preferred arrangement is one in which the reservoir is a collapsible container or bag initially evacuated upon connection to the discharge point at the distal end of the evaporator tube.
  • the fluid collector will normally be external of the material, and preferably readily accessible. Multiple collectors can be provided, each being releasably attachable to the distal end of the evaporator tube. This enables one to be removed and replaced by an empty collector to enable the cooling system to continue operating. It will be appreciated that the source of pressurised fluid at the proximal end of the evaporator tube can also be replaced. In such applications it too will be disposed at an accessible surface of the material.
  • the evaporator tube itself in material according to the invention can be a rigid structure, but preferably it is flexible and attached to or integrated with the material. To maximise its absorption of heat, the evaporator tube preferably comprises a multitude of fine channels. These can be created in a flexible yarn which can be integrated within the material structure. It can thus be part of a woven or knitted structure within the material. It will also be appreciated that two or more evaporator tubes can be incorporated in the same material, in either the same or independent networks. If they are part of the same network, then the same source of pressurised gas can be used, and the gas can be received in a common collector at the distal ends of the respective evaporator tubes.
  • Material according to the invention can also include heat conductive components for carrying heat to the evaporator tube or tubes. This feature can be of particular value when the material is used in a garment. In such an application these components can be yarns within garment fabric, which may include a wicking layer for carrying perspiration from the skin to be cooled by the system.
  • Figure 1 shows an upper body garment fitted with a cooling system embodying the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a MHE and a thermoelectric cooling device for use in the system of Figure 1;
  • Figures 3 and 4 illustrate different forms of collector that can be coupled to the discharge point at the distal end of the evaporator tube in the network shown in Figure 1.
  • the material of the garment shown in Figure 1 has an integral cooling system.
  • the cooling system shown has an evaporator tube 2 with one end coupled to a controllable valve 4 to a pressurised fluid cylinder 6.
  • the tube may have a plurality of fine channels for the passage of gas from the source. These may increase in size with distance from the source.
  • the tube is coupled to an accumulator 10, although the gas can be released directly into the atmosphere, for example through a recharge valve.
  • the heat exchangers 12 and 14 are shown on the garment, it will be understood that normally, only the valve 4, the cylinder 6, and the collector 10 will be visible and accessible on the surface.
  • the evaporator tube 2 and its attachments will be within the fabric of the garment material.
  • the garment material may include heat conductive components, such as thermally conductive fibres, for carrying heat to the evaporator tube.
  • the heat exchangers 12 and 14 are each in the form of a panel with substantially parallel surface areas of around 25mm .
  • One of these phases will normally be located in juxtaposition with the body surface of the user.
  • the flat area provides an effective cooling surface.
  • a thermoelectric cooling element 16 is disposed against the other surface of the heat exchanger 12. This cooling element uses the Peltier effect to maintain that other surface at a low temperature, transferring heat to its opposite surface which, in use, will be further remote from the body of the user of the system. Electric current is supplied to the cooling element 16 through terminals 18, 20, from a battery (not shown), which can be mounted for example, on the gas cylinder 6.
  • thermoelectric cooling elements 16 could be coupled to each of the heat exchangers in the cooling system, we have found that sufficient benefit can be had by applying thermoelectric cooling only to some of the heat exchangers. In the embodiment shown, it is applied to the heat exchanger 14. The heat exchangers 12, towards the top end of the tube 2, function without any thermo-cooling.
  • HFC-Rl 34a tetrafluoroethane CH 2 FCF 3
  • HFC-Rl 34a tetrafluoroethane CH 2 FCF 3
  • the pressurised cylinder can of course be as readily replaced at the proximal end of the condenser tube as can a collector at the distal end.
  • the system may be adapted to operate at different levels of refrigeration. It may include a sensor, of temperatures or humidity for example, and increase or reduce the cooling effect in response to signals from the sensor. It may also include an internal control affording manual operation. These options can include the possibility of the system being used to freeze perspiration to maximise the cooling effect. A system so adapted can be used in an "ice-pack" for the treatment of various injuries and conditions.
  • Figure 3 shows a collector in the form of a solid container 30.
  • a one way valve 32 is provided for coupling to the discharge point 8 at the distal end of an evaporator tube (2) which allows fluid from the evaporator tube to enter the container 30.
  • the container is sealed, but has an access duct 34 and a sensor 36 for monitoring the pressure in the container 30.
  • the sensor 36 will generate a signal, normally visible or audible, to indicate when the container is full or saturated and must be replaced.
  • the duct 34 can be used when the container has been removed from the evaporator tube to empty the container and also, to create a negative pressure (relative to atmospheric) in the container when it is coupled to the evaporator tube. This can enhance at least the initial flow of fluid along the evaporator tube, and encourage the initial cooling effect.
  • the collector is in the form of a flexible bag 40 shown collapsed and coupled to the one way valve 32. As it received fluid through the valve from the evaporator tube, it progressively expands until full, as shown in dotted outline. It will be evident when the bag is full, that it must be replaced.
  • Materials of this invention have many applications, typically where there is a need to dissipate heat and moisture from a surface. Some of these occur in medical and surgical environments, and in wound management.
  • a fabric can be used to keep a wound dry, or at least prevent accumulation of liquid at a wound site. It can also be used in linen to prevent accumulation of perspiration adjacent a patient's body.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un matériel muni d'un système de refroidissement intégral. Un tube d'évaporateur (2) s'étend dans le matériel; son extrémité proximale est couplée à une source (6) de fluide pressurisé à partir de laquelle un fluide est libéré de façon régulable. Au fur et à mesure de son écoulement dans le tube d'évaporateur, le liquide pressurisé refroidit son environnement avant de sortir du tube par un point de décharge (8) situé à l'extrémité distale du tube. Au moins un échangeur de chaleur (12, 14) est couplé au tube d'évaporateur (2) à travers lequel le fluide libéré passe et auquel un dispositif de refroidissement thermoélectrique (16) est couplé.
PCT/GB2008/002647 2007-08-09 2008-08-04 Matériels de régulation de température WO2009019462A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0715573.2 2007-08-09
GB0715573A GB0715573D0 (en) 2007-08-09 2007-08-09 Temperature control materials

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009019462A1 true WO2009019462A1 (fr) 2009-02-12

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2008/002647 WO2009019462A1 (fr) 2007-08-09 2008-08-04 Matériels de régulation de température

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0715573D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009019462A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102416230A (zh) * 2011-08-20 2012-04-18 杭州德安救生设备科技有限公司 灾害应急保险舱
WO2012160496A1 (fr) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-29 Ishigaki Dhayan Dispositif de réduction d'œdème périorbitaire
CN111700368A (zh) * 2020-07-09 2020-09-25 邓艳丽 一种新型自散热书包

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4118946A (en) * 1976-11-23 1978-10-10 Eddie Sam Tubin Personnel cooler
US4738119A (en) * 1987-02-09 1988-04-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Integral cooling garment for protection against heat stress
FR2742852A1 (fr) * 1995-12-21 1997-06-27 Schegerin Robert Equipement de refrigeration portable et ergonomique a base de dioxyde de carbone
US6009713A (en) * 1997-05-20 2000-01-04 Horn; Stephen T. Appendage, hand and foot cooling apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4118946A (en) * 1976-11-23 1978-10-10 Eddie Sam Tubin Personnel cooler
US4738119A (en) * 1987-02-09 1988-04-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Integral cooling garment for protection against heat stress
FR2742852A1 (fr) * 1995-12-21 1997-06-27 Schegerin Robert Equipement de refrigeration portable et ergonomique a base de dioxyde de carbone
US6009713A (en) * 1997-05-20 2000-01-04 Horn; Stephen T. Appendage, hand and foot cooling apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012160496A1 (fr) * 2011-05-20 2012-11-29 Ishigaki Dhayan Dispositif de réduction d'œdème périorbitaire
CN102416230A (zh) * 2011-08-20 2012-04-18 杭州德安救生设备科技有限公司 灾害应急保险舱
CN111700368A (zh) * 2020-07-09 2020-09-25 邓艳丽 一种新型自散热书包

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0715573D0 (en) 2007-09-19

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