US-12616606-B2 - Heat exchange system for patient support surface

US12616606B2US 12616606 B2US12616606 B2US 12616606B2US-12616606-B2

Abstract

A heat exchange system includes a thermoelectric device operably coupled with a support apparatus. The thermoelectric device is configured to reduce a temperature at a first location and increase a temperature at a second location different than the first location. A fan is disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric device. The fan is configured to direct heat generated by the thermoelectric device toward the second location. A controller is communicatively coupled with the thermoelectric device and the fan. The controller is configured to activate the thermoelectric device and the fan to reduce the temperature at the first location and concurrently increase the temperature at the second location. The first location is configured to align with a first area on a patient and the second location is configured to align with a second area on the patient.

Inventors

Robert Mark Zerhusen
Nicholas Mann
Neal Wiggermann
Frank Sauser
Kirsten Emmons
David Ribble
Darrell L. Borgman
Charles A. Lachenbruch
Yongji Fu

Assignees

HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220801

Claims (15)

1 . A support surface assembly, comprising: an outer ticking; a core disposed within the outer ticking, wherein the core defines an insertion cavity; and a heat exchange system coupled to the core, wherein the heat exchange system includes: a thermally conductive spacer selectively insertable in the insertion cavity; a thermoelectric device disposed adjacent to the thermally conductive spacer, wherein the thermoelectric device reduces a temperature at a first location of said support surface assembly via the thermally conductive spacer for cooling a first area of a person supported on said support surface assembly; a fan configured to direct heat generated by the thermoelectric device away from the thermoelectric device; and a connector extending from the fan to a second location of said support surface assembly, wherein the connector is thermally conductive to form a thermal path to transfer and redirect the heat generated by the thermoelectric device to the second location of said support surface assembly and, consequently, utilize the heat generated by the thermoelectric device to increase a temperature at the second location for heating a second area of the person.
2 . The support surface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector extends through the core.
3 . The support surface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange system includes cooling fins coupled to the thermoelectric device and positioned between the thermoelectric device and the fan.
4 . The support surface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector extends through the core at the first location and through the core toward a support surface of the outer ticking at the second location.
5 . The support surface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector is coupled to the fan.
6 . A support surface assembly, comprising: an outer ticking defining an interior; a core including core blocks arranged in the interior to form a first insertion cavity and a second insertion cavity, wherein the outer ticking extends over the core; a first thermoelectric module selectively disposed within the first insertion cavity; a second thermoelectric module selectively disposed within the second insertion cavity, wherein the core blocks are configured to be interchanged between different positions within the interior to change locations of the first and second insertion cavities to, consequently, change locations of the first and second thermoelectric modules, and wherein each of the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module is a self-contained and removable unit that includes: a support structure defining an airflow channel; a thermoelectric device coupled with the support structure; and a fan coupled to the support structure and configured to direct air through the airflow channel; and a controller in communication with the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module, wherein the controller is configured to selectively and independently direct a current through the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module to adjust a temperature of a corresponding area of the outer ticking.
7 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , wherein the thermoelectric device of the first thermoelectric module is configured to cool a first location of the outer ticking, and wherein the thermoelectric device of the second thermoelectric module is configured to heat a second location of the outer ticking.
8 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , wherein the thermoelectric devices are elongated features extending through the support structures, respectively.
9 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , further comprising: a topper disposed over the core, the first thermoelectric module, and the second thermoelectric module, wherein the topper extends over the core, the first thermoelectric module, and the second thermoelectric module.
10 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , wherein the outer ticking defines vents in fluid communication with the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module.
11 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , wherein the core includes a first layer and a second layer separated by a spacer.
12 . The support surface assembly of claim 11 , wherein the spacer is air permeable, and wherein the air directed by the fan is moved through the spacer.
13 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , wherein for each of the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module the thermoelectric device includes a first portion extending through the support structure and a second portion disposed in the airflow channel.
14 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to concurrently direct a current in a first direction through the first thermoelectric module and direct a current in a second direction through the second thermoelectric module to concurrently heat a first location of said support surface assembly with the first thermoelectric module and cool a second location of said support surface assembly with the second thermoelectric module.
15 . The support surface assembly of claim 6 , wherein the outer ticking defines at least one air vent, and wherein the first and second thermoelectric modules are enclosed within the interior of the outer ticking and in fluid communication with the at least one air vent.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/228,353, filed on Aug. 2, 2021, entitled “HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR PATIENT SUPPORT SURFACE,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to a heat exchange system, and more particularly to a heat exchange system for a patient support surface. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchange system includes at least one thermoelectric device operably coupled with a support apparatus. The at least one thermoelectric device is configured to reduce a temperature at a first location and increase a temperature at a second location different than the first location. A heat directing feature is disposed proximate to the at least one thermoelectric device. The heat directing feature is configured to direct heat generated by the at least one thermoelectric device toward the second location. A controller is communicatively coupled with the at least one thermoelectric device. The controller is configured to activate the at least one thermoelectric device to reduce the temperature at the first location and concurrently increase the temperature at the second location. The first location is configured to align with a first area on a patient and the second location is configured to align with a second area on the patient. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a support surface assembly includes an outer ticking. A core is disposed within the outer ticking, and the core defines an insertion cavity. A heat exchange system is coupled to the core. The heat exchange system includes a thermally conductive spacer selectively insertable in the insertion cavity. A thermoelectric device is disposed adjacent to the thermally conductive spacer. The thermoelectric device reduces a temperature at a first location via the thermally conductive spacer. A fan is configured to direct heat generated by the thermoelectric device away from the thermoelectric device. A connector extends from the fan to a second location. The connector is thermally conductive and configured to transfer the heat to the second location and, consequently, increase a temperature at the second location. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a support apparatus includes a frame. A support surface assembly is disposed on the frame and configured to support a patient. A rail is coupled to the frame. A heat exchange system is selectively coupled to the rail. The heat exchange system includes a skin dressing configured to be coupled to the patient. A thermally conductive connector is coupled to the skin dressing. A thermoelectric device is coupled to the thermally conductive connector and configured to reduce a temperature of the skin dressing. The thermoelectric device generates heat. A tubing is coupled to the thermoelectric device and configured to guide heated air warmed by the heat generated by the thermoelectric device to a second location. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a support apparatus includes a frame having a deck for supporting a patient thereon. A heat exchange system is coupled to the frame. The heat exchange system includes a compressor. Heating loops are coupled to the compressor, where the heating loops extend along a first location on the deck. Cooling loops are coupled to the compressor where the cooling loops extend along a second location on the deck. The compressor drives a fluid through the heating loops and the cooling loops. According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a support surface assembly includes a core defining a first insertion cavity and a second insertion cavity. An outer ticking extends over the core. A first thermoelectric module is selectively disposed within the first insertion cavity. A second thermoelectric module is selectively disposed within the second insertion cavity. Each of the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module include a support structure defining an airflow channel. A thermoelectric device is coupled with the support structure. A fan is coupled to the support structure and configured to direct air through the airflow channel. A controller is in communication with the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module. The controller is configured to selectively and independently direct a current through the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module to adjust a temperature of a corresponding area of the outer ticking. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a patient temperature regulating system includes a first thermoelectric module having a first thermoelectric device. A second thermoelectric module has a second thermoelectric device. At least one user device is conf