System and method for leak detection in external cooling pad
First Claim
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1. A method for providing an alarm condition in a heat exchange pad engageable with the exterior of a patient and having at least a middle layer disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer, comprising:
- receiving a composite signal representing an impedance of the pad, the act of receiving including receiving a first signal from a first electrode in electrical contact with a middle layer of the pad and receiving a second signal from a second electrode disposed inside the inner layer or outside the outer layer, the first and second signals establishing the composite signal; and
responsive to the composite signal satisfying a threshold, activating an alarm.
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Abstract
An externally-applied heat exchange pad has three layers laminated together, an inner and outer non-conductive layer and a middle conductive layer. A leak in the inner layer causes coolant to contact the middle layer and change impedance, which can be sensed and used as an indication of an impending total leak of the pad.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for providing an alarm condition in a heat exchange pad engageable with the exterior of a patient and having at least a middle layer disposed between an outer layer and an inner layer, comprising:
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receiving a composite signal representing an impedance of the pad, the act of receiving including receiving a first signal from a first electrode in electrical contact with a middle layer of the pad and receiving a second signal from a second electrode disposed inside the inner layer or outside the outer layer, the first and second signals establishing the composite signal; and responsive to the composite signal satisfying a threshold, activating an alarm.
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2. A system for detecting a leak condition in a heat exchange pad, comprising:
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an impedance detector; a heat exchange system; and a heat exchange pad positionable against a patient to exchange heat therewith, the impedance detector communicating with at least a portion of the heat exchange pad, the heat exchange system supplying fluid to the heat exchange pad; wherein the pad includes an envelope defined by an outer non-conducting layer, an inner non-conducting layer, and a middle conducting layer sandwiched therebetween, the middle conducting layer being electrically connected to the impedance detector to provide signals thereto. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification