In-line Microwave Warmer for Blood and Intravenous Fluids. Phase 2.
Abstract
To address the problem of hypothermia and its associated coagulopathy and cardiac dysfunction occuring with trauma, a technique has been conceived that provides in-line heating of blood and intravenous(IV) A fluids. The design is based on a microwave generator and chamber capable of uniform heating of fluids during the infusion process. An in-line unit overcomes the delay inherent with remote warming and the cooling occurring in a cold environment during transport of fluid or blood heated at a remote location. During the Phase I study a heating chamber with a wound bobbin of IV tubing has been developed that predictably and uniformly distributes a microwave energy field along the entire fluid path within the chamber. To determine the efficacy of the rapid, in-line warming of blood and IV fluids within this uniform microwave energy field, in- vitro tests(primarily with blood) have been conducted. Results confirm the rapidity and uniformity of the predicted heat transfer mechanism; laboratory analysis of the in-vitro blood samples warmed by the system show no significant changes in constituency from the control samples. To address the need for A feedback control mechanism to vary the delivered level of microwave energy as a function of flow rate and input temperatures, radiometric transducers have been designed, fabricated and evaluated for non-invasive temperature measurement of the flowing fluid. Results show that the response times of a microwave radiometry system using these transducers at the inlet and outlet ports of the heating chamber and within the heating chamber itself are sufficient for reliable feedback control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA260777
Entities
People
- Kenneth L. Carr
- Richard S. Grabowy