Cooling vest for improving surgeons’ thermal comfort: A multidisciplinary design project

Abstract

A laparoscopic surgeon sometimes experiences heat-related discomfort even though the temperature situation is moderate. The aim of this project was to design a cooling vest using a phase change material to increase thermal comfort for the surgeon. The project focused on the design process to reveal the most important parameters for the design of a cooling vest that could be demonstrated in a clinical setting. We performed an entire design process, from problem analysis, situation observations, concept for a prototype, temperature measurements, and a final design based on clinical testing. The project was conducted by a multidisciplinary team consisting of product designers, engineers, physiologists, and surgeons. We carried out four physiological demonstrations of one surgeon's skin temperatures and heart rate during different laparoscopic procedures. A commercially available cooling vest for firemen and two proof-of-concept prototypes were tested alongside a reference operation without cooling. To aid the final design, one person went through a climate chamber test with two different set-ups of cooling elements. The final design was found to improve the conditions of our test subject. It was found that whole trunk cooling was more effective than only upper trunk cooling. A final design was proposed based on the design process and the findings in the operating room and in the laboratory. Although the experiences using the vest seemed positive, further studies on several operators and more surgical procedures are needed to determine the true benefits for the operator.

Personal cooling with phase change materials to improve thermal comfort from a heat wave perspective

“…Thermal manikin with 17 individually controlled (heating and measuring) zones: 1-Head 2-Chest 3-Stomach 4-Back 5-Buttocks 6-Right upper arm 7-Right lower arm 8-Right hand 9-Left upper arm 10-Left lower arm 11-Left hand 12-Right thigh 13-Right leg 14-Right foot 15-Left thigh 16-Left leg 17-Left footPhase change materials to improve thermal comfort evaluations byChoi et al (1997) andLiu et al (2011), and in similar studies byReinertsen et al (2008),Langø et al (2009), andGao et al (2011).…”

“…Reinertsen et al. (2008) and Langø et al. (2009) studied the cooling effects of PCMs melting at 28 and 31°C with different design solutions on one surgeon who wore surgical clothes at air temperature 27°C.…”

“…Zhang et al (2003) investigated, based on subjective responses, the cooling effects of a PCM with melting temperature at 27°C on medical professionals encapsulated in medical protective clothing at air temperatures 25 and 30°C. Reinertsen et al (2008) and Langø et al (2009) studied the cooling effects of PCMs melting at 28 and 31°C with different design solutions on one surgeon who wore surgical clothes at air temperature 27°C. Gao et al (2011) carried out studies on the cooling effects of PCMs melting at 24 and 28°C under firefighting clothes in an extremely hot environment with air temperature at 55°C.…”

Optimizing the operating theatre environment

“…Cooling vests based on those worn by firemen and adapted to the surgical environment have been trialled in a non-clinical setting. 69 The preliminary tests found an increase in the comfort of the surgeon, with measurable benefits in terms of lower skin temperature and sweat rates.…”

“…It was likely a coincidence, the authors suggested, that the average recorded temperature – usually controlled by the anaesthetist – was much closer to their preferred temperature of 21.5°! Cooling vests based on those worn by firemen and adapted to the surgical environment have been trialled in a non‐clinical setting 69 . The preliminary tests found an increase in the comfort of the surgeon, with measurable benefits in terms of lower skin temperature and sweat rates.…”