A Peltier Effect Heat Exchanger Appropriate for Temperature Regulatory Studies in Small Animals

摘要

A miniature heat exchanger for extracorporeal circulation systems is described; it utilizes Peltier effect semiconductors as heat pumping devices, in contrast to the traditional use of circulating water as heat source or sink. This unit has proven capable of providing rapid heating and cooling of circulating blood with minimal thermal lag. It is capable of precise control, immediate reversal of direction of heat flow and is readily adapted to automatic control. It introduces a minimum of dead space into the extracorporeal circulatory system and is readily cleaned. (Author)