Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
08:42
How to Ignite an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch without Any Additional Igniters
Published on: April 16, 2015
Temperature course and distribution during plasma heating with a microwave device.
J Hirsch1, R Bach, A Menzebach
1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital, Giessen, Rudolf Buchheim Str. 7, 35385 Giessen, Germany. Jan.Hirsch@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de
Anaesthesia
|April 16, 2003
Summary
Microwave blood warmers, like the Transfusio-therm 2000(R), can safely heat fresh frozen plasma (FFP). This study found no general or localized overheating during FFP warming, addressing key safety concerns.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Concerns regarding localized or general overheating have limited the adoption of microwave devices for warming fresh frozen plasma (FFP).
- Shorter thawing times offered by microwave technology present a potential advantage for rapid FFP preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Transfusio-therm 2000(R) microwave blood warmer for heating FFP.
- To assess the risk of overheating during and after the microwave warming process.
Main Methods:
- Fresh frozen plasma units were heated using the Transfusio-therm 2000(R), with simultaneous or individual unit warming.
- Surface and internal plasma temperatures were monitored using multiple sensors and a calibrated thermometer.
- Heating times and temperature variations were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- No instances of general or localized overheating were observed during the warming process.
- When heating three units simultaneously, the mean plasma temperature reached 33.6°C (SD, 0.8°C) after 23.2 minutes.
- When heating a single unit, the mean plasma temperature reached 33.1°C (SD, 0.6°C) after 6.3 minutes.
Conclusions:
- The Transfusio-therm 2000(R) microwave blood warmer effectively heats fresh frozen plasma without causing detrimental overheating.
- This technology offers a safe and efficient method for FFP warming in clinical settings.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:44Heating and Cooling Curves
When a substance—isolated from its environment—is subjected to heat changes, corresponding changes in temperature and phase of the substance is observed; this is graphically represented by heating and cooling curves.
For instance, the addition of heat raises the temperature of a solid; the amount of heat absorbed depends on the heat capacity of the solid (q = mcsolidΔT). According to thermochemistry, the relation between the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance, q, and its...
For instance, the addition of heat raises the temperature of a solid; the amount of heat absorbed depends on the heat capacity of the solid (q = mcsolidΔT). According to thermochemistry, the relation between the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance, q, and its...
01:14Mechanisms of Heat Transfer I
Just as interesting as the effects of heat transfer on a system are the methods by which the heat transfer occur. Whenever there is a temperature difference, heat transfer occurs. It may occur rapidly, such as through a cooking pan, or slowly, such as through the walls of a picnic ice box. So many processes involve heat transfer that it is hard to imagine a situation where no heat transfer occurs. Yet, every heat transfer takes place by only three methods: conduction, convection, and radiation.
01:20Mechanisms of Heat Transfer II
In convection, thermal energy is carried by the large-scale flow of matter. Ocean currents and large-scale atmospheric circulation, which result from the buoyancy of warm air and water, transfer hot air from the tropics toward the poles and cold air from the poles toward the tropics. The Earth’s rotation interacts with those flows, causing the observed eastward flow of air in the temperate zones. Convection dominates heat transfer by air, and the amount of available space for the airflow...
01:28Standing Waves in a Cavity
A household microwave and lasers are examples of standing electromagnetic waves in a cavity. When two conducting metal plates are placed parallel at the nodal planes, it creates a cavity where standing waves are formed. The cavity between the two planes is analogous to a stretched string held at the points x = 0 and x = L. Here, the distance 'L' between the two planes must be an integer multiple of half of the wavelength. The wavelengths that satisfy this condition are given by:
01:23Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
Heat is a widely used method to control microbial growth by targeting and denaturing cellular proteins, thereby killing or inactivating microbes. This method's effectiveness is quantified using parameters such as the thermal death point (TDP), thermal death time (TDT), and decimal reduction time (D value). TDP represents the lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid suspension are eliminated within 10 minutes, whereas TDT is the time necessary to achieve sterilization at a...