Magnetorheological elastomer and magnetorheological fluid for clinical wrap
AssigneeStryker Corporation
InventorsGregg Taylor, Alexey Titov, Hieu Phan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reinforcing clinical wrap is provided with integral thermal management. The clinical wrap includes a fluid circuit for a heat transfer medium to circulate between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A shape conforming medium is disposed within a portion of the clinical wrap providing selective reinforcement support of the portion of the clinical wrap to conform to a surface of a patient. Non-limiting examples of the shape conforming medium may include a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological foam, a UV curable resin, and a phase change material.
Claims20
A reinforcing clinical wrap with integral thermal management, the clinical wrap comprising:
- a fluid inlet;
- a fluid outlet;
- a first set of channels providing a fluid circuit for a heat transfer medium to circulate between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet;
- a second set of channels providing fluid communication through a portion of the clinical wrap configured to interface with a patient;
- and
- a shape conforming medium disposed in the second set of channels and comprising a magnetorheological fluid with a viscosity that varies in response to exposure to a magnetic field to provide adjustable reinforcement support of the portion of the clinical wrap to conform to a surface of a patient.
A method for incorporating thermal management with an immobilizing patient clinical wrap, the method comprising:
- integrating a shape conforming medium within a clinical wrap, the clinical wrap being configured to be applied around a predetermined location of a patient, contouring an inside surface of the clinical wrap adjacent the patient;
- integrating a heat transfer medium within the clinical wrap, the heat transfer medium being configured to circulate throughout the clinical wrap at a predetermined temperature, maintaining a consistent temperature at the inside surface adjacent the patient;
- and
- providing a controller to selectively activate the shape conforming medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.