Patent Publication Number: US-2020276376-A1

Title: Modular heater cooler with disposable heat transfer fluid circuit

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a national stage application of PCT/EP2017/075473, filed Oct. 6, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a system for heating and/or cooling (heating/cooling) a target device. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a system for heating/cooling a patient or organs or other fluids, like blood, either directly or through a secondary fluid circuit, e.g., a heat exchanger, in an oxygenator of a heart-lung machine during extracorporeal blood circulation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Oxygenators are devices used for extracorporeal oxygenation of blood. Often, oxygenators are used in heart-lung machines or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) devices, which include membrane oxygenators that can avoid embolisms to a large extent. With the aid of gas mixers and flow meters the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide is reliably controlled. 
     In an oxygenator, a patient&#39;s blood is warmed or cooled and oxygenated. The oxygenator includes a heat exchanger for warming or cooling the blood. In the oxygenator, a heat exchanging medium flows through the heat exchanger and transfers a heat quantity to the blood for warming the blood or absorbs a heat quantity from the blood for cooling the blood. The heat exchanging medium is usually supplied to the heat exchanger by a pump unit and, after heat exchange with the blood has taken place, the heat exchanging medium is discharged from the heat exchanger by the same pump unit or another pump unit. The heat exchanging medium, e.g. water, is previously heated or cooled in a heater/cooler before it is conducted to the heat exchanger. Due to its size and complex structure, the heater/cooler is separate from the heart-lung machine or ECMO. 
     In some situations, where not properly cleaned or maintained, the heat exchange medium of the heater/cooler may have contamination issues. In this situation, the heater/cooler may present a risk that the equipment and/or atmosphere in the OR may be contaminated and that germs will enter the patient&#39;s blood from the contaminated heat exchanging medium. Also, the heater/cooler may be over powered for most applications and present power consumption and power supply compatibility issues. In addition, due to its large size, the heater/cooler may have limited usability and may not be transportable. Also, due to its size to power ratio the heater/cooler may not be suited for intensive care unit (ICU) applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to heater/cooler configurations that advantageously eliminate the need for a fluid reservoir (often open to the atmosphere) holding the heat exchanging medium. Further these configurations provide for two distinct fluid circuits, a first circuit which is heated by the heater/cooler device and a second circuit in communication with the target device (e.g., the heat exchanger). Thus, in the event the heat exchange medium should become contaminated, any such contamination cannot is not communicated to the target device and thus cannot contaminate the patient&#39;s blood. 
     As recited in examples, example 1 is a system including a heater/cooler module including a primary circuit and configured to heat/cool a first fluid in the primary circuit, a heat transfer fluid circuit configured to provide a second fluid to a target device to heat/cool the target device, and a heat exchanger including at least part of the primary circuit through which the first fluid flows and at least part of a secondary circuit through which the second fluid flows to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid. The primary circuit and the secondary circuit are separate circuits, such that the first fluid and the second fluid remain separated in the system. 
     Example 2 is the system of example 1, wherein the primary circuit is a permanent part of the heater/cooler module. 
     Example 3 is the system of example 1, wherein the primary circuit is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing the first fluid. 
     Example 4 is the system of example 1, wherein the at least part of the secondary circuit is part of the heater/cooler module and non-disposable, such that the at least part of the secondary circuit is cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. 
     Example 5 is the system of example 1, wherein the secondary circuit is part of the heat transfer fluid circuit. 
     Example 6 is the system of example 1, wherein the secondary circuit is part of the heat transfer fluid circuit and disposable. 
     Example 7 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid circuit is a single use disposable circuit. 
     Example 8 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid circuit is a reusable circuit that is cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. 
     Example 9 is the system of example 1, including at least one of two or more heat exchangers, two or more heater/cooler modules, and two or more heat transfer fluid circuits. 
     Example 10 is the system of example 1, wherein the secondary circuit is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing the second fluid. 
     Example 11 is the system of example 1, wherein the heater/cooler module includes a heat pump to heat/cool the first fluid in the primary circuit. 
     Example 12 is the system of example 1, wherein the heater/cooler module includes an auxiliary heat exchanger configured to receive a third fluid and which facilitates heat transfer between the third fluid and the first fluid in the primary circuit. 
     Example 13 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes a thermoelectric heater/cooler thermally coupled to the heat exchanger to heat/cool at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     Example 14 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes an auxiliary electric heater configured to heat the second fluid in the heat exchanger. 
     Example 15 is the system of example 1, wherein the target device includes an oxygenator heat exchanger. 
     Example 16 is the system of example 15, including a first temperature sensor configured to take temperature measurements of blood and a second temperature sensor configured to take temperature measurements of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid, wherein the system is configured to maintain a predefined temperature offset between the blood and the at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     Example 17 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes one or more auxiliary electric heaters used during thermal disinfection to dry and thermally disinfect the heat exchanger. 
     Example 18 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes one or more temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of the heat exchanger in the absence of the second fluid. 
     Example 19 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes a first module configured to receive the first fluid and a disposable module configured to receive the second fluid. 
     Example 20 is the system of example 19, wherein the first module includes one or more auxiliary electric heaters to heat at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     Example 21 is the system of example 19, wherein the first module includes a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     Example 22 is the system of example 19, wherein the disposable module includes one or more auxiliary electric heaters to heat at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     Example 23 is the system of example 19, wherein the disposable module includes at least one temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     Example 24 is the system of example 19, wherein the first module includes a first plate heat exchanger and the disposable module includes a second plate heat exchanger. 
     Example 25 is the system of example 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plate heat exchanger configured to receive the first fluid and a disposable plate heat exchanger configured to receive the second fluid. 
     Example 26 is a system including a heater/cooler module including a primary circuit and a heat pump to heat/cool a first fluid in the primary circuit, a heat transfer fluid circuit including a secondary circuit that contains a second fluid and is configured to provide the second fluid to a target device in the secondary circuit to facilitate heat transfer between the second fluid and a target fluid in the target device, and a heat exchanger circuit including at least part of the primary circuit through which the first fluid flows and at least part of the secondary circuit through which the second fluid flows to regulate temperature of the second fluid via the first fluid. 
     Example 27 is the system of example 26, wherein the primary circuit includes a heat exchanger coil in the heat exchanger and the secondary circuit includes a container that is sealed around the heat exchanger coil. 
     Example 28 is the system of example 27, wherein the first fluid flows through the heat exchanger coil to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the heat exchanger coil to achieve a first temperature of the heat exchanger coil and the second fluid flows around the heat exchanger coil to facilitate heat transfer between the second fluid and the heat exchanger coil to achieve a second temperature of the second fluid. 
     Example 29 is the system of example 27, wherein the heat exchanger includes an auxiliary electric heater configured to provide heat to the second fluid. 
     Example 30 is the system of example 27, wherein the heat exchanger includes at least one temperature sensor configured to provide temperature measurements of the second fluid. 
     Example 31 is the system of example 26, wherein the heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger structure and the secondary circuit includes a container that is sealed around the heat exchanger structure. 
     Example 32 is the system of example 31, wherein the first fluid and the heat exchanger structure facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the heat exchanger structure to achieve a first temperature of the heat exchanger structure, and the second fluid flows through the container and around the heat exchanger structure in the container to facilitate heat transfer between the heat exchanger structure and the second fluid to achieve a second temperature of the second fluid. 
     Example 33 is the system of example 31, wherein the heat exchanger comprises an auxiliary electric heater configured to provide heat to the second fluid. 
     Example 34 is the system of example 31, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature measurements of the second fluid. 
     Example 35 is the system of example 26, wherein the heater/cooler module includes an auxiliary heat exchanger configured to receive a third fluid to facilitate heat transfer between the third fluid and the first fluid in the primary circuit. 
     Example 36 is the system of example 26, wherein the heat exchanger includes a thermoelectric heater/cooler coupled to the heat exchanger to heat/cool the first fluid in the primary circuit. 
     Example 37 is the system of example 26, wherein the heat transfer fluid circuit is a single use disposable unit. 
     Example 38 is a method of heating/cooling a target fluid in a target device via a heater/cooler module including a first fluid in a primary circuit, a pump, a heater/cooler element, and a heat exchanger, the method including pumping the first fluid through the primary circuit and the heat exchanger via the pump, heating/cooling the first fluid in the primary circuit with the heater/cooler element, providing a second fluid in a secondary circuit that is separate from the primary circuit, such that the first fluid and the second fluid are maintained as separate fluids, pumping the second fluid through the secondary circuit and the heat exchanger, facilitating heat transfer in the heat exchanger between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit, and providing the second fluid to the target device to facilitate heat transfer between the second fluid and the target fluid. 
     Example 39 is the method of example 38, wherein heating/cooling the first fluid comprises heating/cooling the first fluid in the primary circuit with a heat pump. 
     Example 40 is the method of example 38, wherein heating/cooling the first fluid comprises heating/cooling the first fluid in the primary circuit with an auxiliary heat exchanger in the heater/cooler module, the auxiliary heat exchanger configured to receive a third fluid to facilitate heat transfer between the third fluid and the first fluid in the primary circuit. 
     Example 41 is the method of example 38, wherein heating/cooling the first fluid comprises heating/cooling the first fluid in the primary circuit with a thermoelectric heater/cooler coupled to the heat exchanger. 
     Example 42 is the method of example 38, including heating at least one of the first fluid in the heat exchanger and the second fluid in the heat exchanger with one or more auxiliary electric heaters coupled to the heat exchanger. 
     Example 43 is the method of example 38, wherein facilitating heat transfer between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit includes pumping the first fluid through a heat exchanger coil that is part of the primary circuit and situated in the heat exchanger, and pumping the second fluid through a container that is sealed around the heat exchanger coil, such that the second fluid flows around the heat exchanger coil. 
     Example 44 is the method of example 38, wherein facilitating heat transfer between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit includes pumping the first fluid through a heat exchanger structure that is part of the primary circuit and situated in the heat exchanger, and pumping the second fluid through a container that is sealed around the heat exchanger structure, such that the second fluid flows around the heat exchanger structure. 
     Example 45 is the method of example 38, wherein facilitating heat transfer between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit includes pumping the first fluid through a first plate heat exchanger that is part of the primary circuit and situated in the heat exchanger, pumping the second fluid through a second plate heat exchanger that is part of the secondary circuit and the heat transfer fluid circuit, and facilitating heat transfer between the first plate heat exchanger and the second plate heat exchanger to heat/cool the second fluid. 
     Example 46 is the method of example 38, including regulating a temperature of the target fluid in the target device by measuring a fluid temperature of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     Example 47 is the method of example 38, including maintaining a predefined temperature offset between the target fluid in the target device and at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a modular heating/cooling system, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a stacked modular heating/cooling system including a first modular heating/cooling system and a second modular heating/cooling system, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating the heater/cooler module and the heat exchanger, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram illustrating the heat transfer fluid circuit and the heat exchanger, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustrating a heat exchanger, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating the second module removed from the first module, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating another heat exchanger, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating another heat exchanger, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagram illustrating a method of heating/cooling a target fluid in a target device via a heater/cooler module, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the disclosure is amendable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a modular heating/cooling system  20 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The modular heating/cooling system  20  includes a heater/cooler module  22 , a heat transfer fluid circuit  24 , and a heat exchanger  26 . The different parts of the system  20 , including the heater/cooler module  22 , the heat transfer fluid circuit  24 , and/or the heat exchanger  26 , can be “stacked” or coupled to other similar parts to provide an increase in the heating/cooling capability of the system  20  and/or to increase the number of heating/cooling channels. For example, multiple heater/cooler modules  22  and/or multiple heat transfer fluid circuits  24  and/or multiple heat exchangers  26  can be “stacked” to provide an increase in heating/cooling capability and/or an increase in heating/cooling channels. Also, having multiple similar parts provides redundancy in case of failure of any of the parts, and modularity allows the system  20  to be customized to fit different power consumption needs and to provide optimized heating/cooling capabilities, as required for different applications. 
     In most applications, system  20  includes one of each of the heater/cooler module  22 , the heat transfer fluid circuit  24 , and/or the heat exchanger  26 . In these embodiments, the system  20  consumes 500-600 watts, which makes the system  20  compatible with portable applications, such as ambulance, aircraft, and helicopter applications. Also, low power consumption makes the system  20  compatible with battery operation and with the use of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS&#39;s). In addition, low power consumption makes the system  20  compatible with electrical systems in multiple countries, where the system  20  can be plugged into one power outlet without overpowering the single outlet. Thus, the system  20  can be used in Europe where one electrical power outlet may supply up to 3.5 kilowatts, and in the United States where one power outlet may supply 1.8 kilowatts, and in Japan where one power outlet may supply only up to 1.5 kilowatts. 
     Also, the modular heating/cooling system  20  has size advantages making it compatible with applications in small areas, such as placing the system  20  or components of the system  20  near a heart lung machine (HLM). In some embodiments, the system  20  takes up an area or volume of only 0.5×0.5×0.5 meters. This, along with the low power consumption, makes the system  20  available for the portable applications. 
     The system  20  can be used in different heating/cooling applications in the medical field. These medical field applications include heating/cooling of the blood in an oxygenator, heating/cooling of a drug or drugs in cardioplegia, heating/cooling of clothing or other items such as blankets, hyperthermia and hypothermia procedures, and the heating/cooling of fluids in organ perfusion. In addition, the modular heating/cooling system  20  can be used in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), such as in an intensive care unit (ICU). 
     The heater/cooler module  22  includes a primary circuit  28  including a heater/cooler element  30  fluidically coupled to a primary circuit pump  32  via primary circuit tubing  34 . The primary circuit  28  includes a first fluid in the primary circuit  28  and the primary circuit tubing  34  is fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger  26 . In some embodiments, the heater/cooler element  30  includes a heat pump. In some embodiments, the primary circuit pump  32  includes a pump of a HLM and/or a standalone pump. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes water. In some embodiments, the primary circuit  28  is a permanent part of the heater/cooler module  22 . 
     In some embodiments, the primary circuit  28  is a closed circuit containing the first fluid. In some embodiments, the primary circuit  28  is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing the first fluid. In embodiments where the primary circuit  28  is a closed circuit, the system  20  prevents contamination of the OR due to open air tanks holding the first fluid. Also, these embodiments eliminate the need for disinfecting the primary circuit  28 . 
     The heat transfer fluid circuit  24  includes a secondary circuit  36  including a target device  38  fluidically coupled to a secondary circuit pump  40  via secondary circuit tubing  42 . The secondary circuit  36  includes a second fluid in the secondary circuit  36  and the secondary circuit tubing  42  is fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger  26 . In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid circuit  24  is a single use disposable circuit. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  40  is part of the heater/cooler module  22 . In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  36  includes a pump of a HLM and/or a standalone pump. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes water. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  36  is disposable. 
     In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  36  is a closed circuit containing the second fluid. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  36  is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing the second fluid. In embodiments where the secondary circuit  36  is a closed circuit, the system  20  prevents contamination of the OR due to open air tanks holding the second fluid. Also, these embodiments eliminate the need for disinfecting the secondary circuit  36 . 
     In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid circuit  24  is a reusable circuit that is cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. In other embodiments, at least part of the secondary circuit  36  is part of the heater/cooler module  22  and non-disposable, such that the at least part of the secondary circuit  36  is cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. In disinfecting, the secondary circuit  36  is emptied of any residual second fluid and hot disinfected at a temperature, such as 95 C, for a specified time to sterilize the circuit, including the prevention of bacterial growth. 
     The primary circuit pump  32  in the heater/cooler module  22  pumps the first fluid around and through the primary circuit  28 , including through the primary circuit tubing  34  and the heat exchanger  26 . The heater/cooler element  30  is controlled to heat/cool the first fluid. The secondary circuit pump  40 , which in some embodiments is part of the heat transfer fluid circuit  24  and in some embodiments is part of the heater/cooler module  22 , pumps the second fluid around and through the secondary circuit tubing  42 , the target device  38 , and the heat exchanger  26 . The secondary circuit  36  provides the second fluid to the target device  38  to heat/cool the target device  38 . The primary circuit  28  and the secondary circuit  36  are separate circuits, such that the first fluid and the second fluid remain separated in the system  20 . 
     The heat exchanger  26  includes at least part of the primary circuit  28  through which the first fluid flows and at least part of the secondary circuit  36  through which the second fluid flows to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid. The temperature of the second fluid is regulated by the temperature of the first fluid. In some embodiments, the target device  38  includes a target fluid and the second fluid flows through the target device  38  to facilitate heat transfer between the second fluid and the target fluid. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a stacked modular heating/cooling system  100  including a first modular heating/cooling system  102  and a second modular heating/cooling system  104 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The first modular heating/cooling system  102  includes a heater/cooler module  106 , a heat transfer fluid circuit  108 , and a heat exchanger  110 . The second modular heating/cooling system  104  includes a heater/cooler module  112 , a heat transfer fluid circuit  114 , and a heat exchanger  116 . The first modular heating/cooling system  102  includes an electrical power connection  102   a  for powering the first modular heating/cooling system  102  and the second modular heating/cooling system  104  includes an electrical power connection  104   a  for powering the second modular heating/cooling system  104 . In some embodiments, one or more of the heater/cooler modules  106  and  112  is similar to the heater/cooler module  22 . In some embodiments, one or more of the heat transfer fluid circuits  108  and  114  is similar to the heat transfer fluid circuit  24 . In some embodiments, one or more of the heat exchangers  110  and  116  is similar to the heat exchanger  26 . In other embodiments, the stacked modular heating/cooling system  100  includes a different number of heater/cooler modules, heat transfer fluid circuits, and/or heat exchangers to provide an increase in heating/cooling capability and/or an increase in heating/cooling channels. 
     In some embodiments, each of the first and second modular heating/cooling systems  102  and  104  consumes 500-600 watts, such that the stacked modular heating/cooling system  100  consumes 1000-1200 watts. In these embodiments, the stacked modular heating/cooling system  100  can be powered via one electrical power outlet in Europe where one electrical power outlet may supply up to 3.5 kilowatts, and in the United States where one power outlet may supply 1.8 kilowatts, and in Japan where one power outlet may supply up to 1.5 kilowatts. Alternatively, each of the first and second modular heating/cooling systems  102  and  104  can be plugged into separate outlets. 
     As with system  20  of  FIG. 1 , the system  100  can be used in different heating/cooling applications in the medical field, including heating/cooling of the blood in an oxygenator, heating/cooling of a drug or drugs in cardioplegia, heating/cooling of clothing or other items such as blankets, hyperthermia and hypothermia procedures, and the heating/cooling of fluids in organ perfusion. Also, the system  100  can be used in CPB and ECMO applications, such as in an ICU. 
     Heater/cooler module  106  includes a primary circuit  118  including a heater/cooler element  120  fluidically coupled to a primary circuit pump  122  via primary circuit tubing  124 . The primary circuit  118  contains a first fluid and the primary circuit tubing  124  is fluidically coupled to heat exchanger  110 . Heater/cooler module  112  includes a primary circuit  126  including a heater/cooler element  128  fluidically coupled to a primary circuit pump  130  via primary circuit tubing  132 . The primary circuit  126  contains another first fluid and the primary circuit tubing  132  is fluidically coupled to heat exchanger  116 . In some embodiments, one or more of the heater/cooler elements  120  and  128  includes a heat pump. In some embodiments, one or more of the primary circuit pumps  122  and  130  includes a pump of a HLM and/or a standalone pump. In some embodiments, one or more of the first fluids includes water. In some embodiments, one or more of the primary circuits  118  and  126  is a permanent part of its corresponding heater/cooler module  106  and  112 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the primary circuits  118  and  126  is a closed circuit containing its corresponding first fluid. In some embodiments, one or more of the primary circuits  118  and  126  is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing its corresponding first fluid. In embodiments, where one or more of the primary circuits  118  and  126  is a closed circuit, the closed circuit prevents contamination of the OR due to open air tanks holding a fluid. Also, these embodiments eliminate the need for disinfecting the closed circuit primary circuits  118  and  126 . 
     The heat transfer fluid circuits  108  and  114  include a secondary circuit  134  that includes a target device  136  fluidically coupled to a secondary circuit pump  138  via secondary circuit tubing  140 . The secondary circuit  134  contains a second fluid. The secondary circuit tubing  140  is fluidically coupled to each of the heat exchangers  110  and  116 , and the secondary circuit tubing  140  fluidically couples heat exchanger  110  to heat exchanger  116 . In some embodiments, each of the heat transfer fluid circuits  108  and  114  is a single use disposable circuit. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  138  is part of at least one of the first and second modular heating/cooling systems  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  138  includes a pump of a HLM and/or a standalone pump. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes water. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  134  is disposable. 
     In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  134  is a closed circuit containing the second fluid. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  134  is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing the second fluid. In embodiments, where the secondary circuit  134  is a closed circuit, the system  20  prevents contamination of the OR due to open air tanks holding a fluid. Also, these embodiments eliminate the need for disinfecting the secondary circuit  134 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the heat transfer fluid circuits  108  and  114  are reusable circuits that can be cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. In other embodiments, at least part of the secondary circuit  134  is part of one of the heater/cooler modules  106  and  112  and non-disposable, such that the at least part of the secondary circuit  134  is cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. In disinfecting, the secondary circuit  134  is emptied of any residual second fluid and hot disinfected at a temperature, such as 95 C, for a specified time to sterilize the circuit, which includes preventing bacterial growth. 
     The primary circuit pump  122  in the heater/cooler module  106  pumps the first fluid around and through the primary circuit  118 , including through the primary circuit tubing  124  and the heat exchanger  110 . The heater/cooler element  120  is controlled to heat/cool the first fluid in the primary circuit  118 . 
     The primary circuit pump  130  in the heater/cooler module  112  pumps the first fluid around and through the primary circuit  126 , including through the primary circuit tubing  132  and the heat exchanger  116 . The heater/cooler element  128  is controlled to heat/cool the first fluid in the primary circuit  126 . 
     The secondary circuit pump  138 , which in some embodiments is part of at least one of the heat transfer fluid circuits  108  and  114  and in some embodiments is part of at least one of the first and second modular heating/cooling systems  102  and  104 , pumps the second fluid around and through the secondary circuit tubing  140 , the target device  136 , and the heat exchangers  110  and  116 . The secondary circuit  134  provides the second fluid to the target device  136  to heat/cool the target device  136 . The primary circuits  118  and  126  are separate circuits such that the first fluids in each remain separated. Also, the primary circuits  118  and  126  and the secondary circuit  134  are separate circuits, such that each of the first fluids and the second fluid remain separated in the system  100 . 
     The heat exchangers  110  and  116  include at least part of the corresponding primary circuits  118  and  126  through which the first fluids flow and at least part of the secondary circuit  134  through which the second fluid flows to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluids and the second fluid. The temperature of the second fluid is regulated by the temperature of the first fluids. In some embodiments, the target device  136  includes a target fluid and the second fluid flows through the target device  136  to facilitate heat transfer between the second fluid and the target fluid. 
     Having multiple heater/cooler modules  106  and  112  and multiple heat exchangers  110  and  116  enable the system  100  to heat/cool the target device  136  more quickly and/or to higher/lower temperatures. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams illustrating another modular heating/cooling system  200 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The modular heating/cooling system  200  is similar to system  20  of  FIG. 1 . The system  200  includes a heater/cooler module  202 , a heat transfer fluid circuit  204 , and a heat exchanger  206 . 
     Similar to system  20 , the different parts of system  200 , including the heater/cooler module  202 , the heat transfer fluid circuit  204 , and/or the heat exchanger  206 , can be “stacked” or coupled to other similar parts to provide an increase in the heating/cooling capability of the system  200  and/or to increase the number of heating/cooling channels. 
     In most applications system  200  includes one of each of the heater/cooler module  202 , the heat transfer fluid circuit  204 , and the heat exchanger  206 , and the system  200  consumes 500-600 watts. This makes system  200  compatible with portable applications, such as ambulance, aircraft, and helicopter applications. Also, low power consumption makes the system  200  compatible with battery operation and with the use of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS&#39;s). In addition, low power consumption makes the system  200  compatible with electrical systems in multiple countries, where the system  200  can be plugged into one power outlet without overpowering the single outlet. Thus, the system  200  can be used in Europe where one electrical power outlet may supply up to 3.5 kilowatts, and in the United States where one power outlet may supply 1.8 kilowatts, and in Japan where one power outlet may supply up to 1.5 kilowatts. 
     The modular heating/cooling system  200  also has size advantages making it compatible with applications in small areas, such as placing the system  200  or components of the system  200  near a heart lung machine (HLM). In some embodiments, the system  200  takes up an area or volume of only 0.5×0.5×0.5 meters. This, along with low power consumption, makes the system  200  available for the portable applications. 
     The system  200  can be used in different heating/cooling applications in the medical field, such as heating/cooling of the blood in an oxygenator, heating/cooling of a drug or drugs in cardioplegia, heating/cooling of clothing or other items such as blankets, hyperthermia and hypothermia procedures, and the heating/cooling of fluids in organ perfusion. In addition, the modular heating/cooling system  200  can be used in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), such as in an intensive care unit (ICU). 
       FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating the heater/cooler module  202  and the heat exchanger  206 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the heater/cooler module  202  is similar to one or more of the heater/cooler modules  22 ,  106 , and  112 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  206  is similar to the heat exchanger  26 . 
     The heater/cooler module  202  includes an electronic control unit  208  and a primary circuit  210  for heating and cooling a first fluid in the primary circuit  210 . The electronic control unit  208  can be one or more of a controller, a processor, a micro-controller, a micro-processor, and a computer. Also, the electronic control unit  208  can include memory, a user interface having input and output portions, such as a touch screen display, and executable code stored in memory that the electronic control unit  208  executes to control the components of the heater/cooler module  202 . The primary circuit  210  includes heating circuit tubing  210   a , indicated by slashes on the tubing  210   a , in a heating circuit path for heating the first fluid, and cooling circuit tubing  210   b , indicated with non-slashed tubing  210   b , in a cooling circuit path for cooling the first fluid. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes water. In some embodiments, the primary circuit  210  is a permanent part of the heater/cooler module  202 . 
     In some embodiments, the primary circuit  210 , including the heating circuit path and the cooling circuit path, is a closed circuit containing the first fluid. In some embodiments, the primary circuit  210 , including the heating circuit path and the cooling circuit path, is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing the first fluid. In embodiments where the primary circuit  210  is a closed circuit, the system  200  prevents contamination of the OR due to open air tanks holding the first fluid. Also, these embodiments eliminate the need for disinfecting the primary circuit  210 . 
     The primary circuit  210  includes a heater/cooler element  212 , a primary circuit pump  214 , part of the heat exchanger  206  and, optionally, an auxiliary heat exchanger  218 . In some embodiments, the heater/cooler element  212  includes a heat pump. In some embodiments, the primary circuit pump  214  includes a pump of a HLM and/or a standalone pump. In some embodiments, the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  receives a heat exchanger fluid at  220  and transmits the heat exchanger fluid at  222 . The heat exchanger fluid is pumped through the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  to facilitate heat transfer between the heat exchanger fluid and the first fluid. 
     The primary circuit path  210  also includes heating circuit valves  224   a  and  224   b  and cooling circuit valves  226   a  and  226   b . In addition, the primary circuit path  210  includes a heating circuit expansion valve  228  and a cooling circuit expansion valve  230 . The electronic control unit  208  is electrically coupled to the heater/cooler element  212 , the primary circuit pump  214 , the heat exchanger  206 , the auxiliary heat exchanger  218 , the heating circuit valves  224   a  and  224   b , the cooling circuit valves  226   a  and  226   b , the heating circuit expansion valve  228 , and the cooling circuit expansion valve  230  to control operation of the heater/cooler module  202 . 
     In the heating circuit path, the heating circuit tubing  210   a  fluidically couples the following components together: the heater/cooler element  212  is fluidically coupled to the heating circuit valve  224   a  that is fluidically coupled to the primary circuit pump  214  that is fluidically coupled to the heating circuit valve  224   b  that is fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger  206  that is fluidically coupled to the heating circuit expansion valve  228  that is fluidically coupled to the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  that is fluidically coupled to the heater/cooler element  212 . 
     In the cooling circuit path, the cooling circuit tubing  210   b  fluidically couples the following components together: the heater/cooler element  212  is fluidically coupled to the cooling circuit expansion valve  230  that is fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger  206  that is fluidically coupled to the cooling circuit valve  226   a  that is fluidically coupled to the primary circuit pump  214  that is fluidically coupled to the cooling circuit valve  226   b  that is fluidically coupled to the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  that is fluidically coupled to the heater/cooler element  212 . 
     In heating the first fluid, the primary circuit pump  214  pumps the first fluid through the heating circuit path including the heating circuit valve  224   b  to the heat exchanger  206  to the heating circuit expansion valve  228  to the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  to the heater/cooler element  212  to the heating circuit valve  224   a  and back to the primary circuit pump  214 . The primary circuit pump  214  and the heater/cooler element  212  are controlled by the electronic control unit  208  to heat the first fluid. Also, optionally, the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  is controlled, such as by the electronic control unit  208 , to heat the first fluid. 
     In cooling the first fluid, the primary circuit pump  214  pumps the first fluid through the cooling circuit path including the cooling circuit valve  226   b  to the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  to the heater/cooler element  212  to the cooling circuit expansion valve  230  to the heat exchanger  206  to the cooling circuit valve  226   a  and back to the primary circuit pump  214 . The primary circuit pump  214  and the heater/cooler element  212  are controlled by the electronic control unit  208  to cool the first fluid. Also, optionally, the auxiliary heat exchanger  218  is controlled, such as by the electronic control unit  208 , to cool the first fluid. 
     The heat exchanger  206  includes at least part of the primary circuit  210  through which the first fluid flows and at least part of a secondary circuit  232  through which a second fluid flows to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid. The temperature of the second fluid is regulated by the temperature of the first fluid. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  206  includes a thermoelectric heater/cooler  234  thermally coupled to the heat exchanger  206  to heat and/or cool at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. In some embodiments, the thermoelectric heater/cooler  234  is controlled by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, a target device includes a target fluid and the second fluid flows through the target device to facilitate heat transfer between the second fluid and the target fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  206  includes one or more auxiliary electric heaters configured to heat the first fluid in the heat exchanger  206 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  206  includes one or more auxiliary electric heaters configured to heat the second fluid in the heat exchanger  206 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  206  includes one or more auxiliary electric heaters configured to be used during thermal disinfection to dry and thermally disinfect the heat exchanger  206 . In some embodiments, one or more auxiliary electric heaters in the heat exchanger  206  are controlled by the electronic control unit  208 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a diagram illustrating the heat transfer fluid circuit  204  and the heat exchanger  206 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid circuit  204  is similar to the heat transfer fluid circuit  24 . 
     The heat transfer fluid circuit  204  includes the secondary circuit  232  including a target device  240  fluidically coupled to a second fluid reservoir  242  via secondary circuit tubing  244 . The second fluid is in the secondary circuit  232  and the secondary circuit tubing  244  is fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger  206 . A secondary circuit pump  246  pumps the second fluid around the secondary circuit  232  and through the secondary circuit tubing  244  and the heat exchanger  206 . The secondary circuit  232  also includes a clamp  248  for preventing/allowing fluid flow and/or a vent  250  for draining the secondary circuit tubing  244 . In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  246  is part of the heat transfer fluid circuit  204 . In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  246  is part of the heater/cooler module  202 . In some embodiments, the target device  240  includes a heat exchanger and a target device fluid, such that the heat exchanger facilitates heat transfer between the second fluid and the target device fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the target device  240  is an oxygenator including a heat exchanger and blood as the target device fluid, such that the heat exchanger facilitates heat transfer between the second fluid and the blood to maintain a specified temperature or temperature range of the blood. In some embodiments, the target device  240  includes a first temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the blood and the system  200  includes a second temperature sensing device for sensing the temperature of the first fluid. In some embodiments, the target device  240  includes a first temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the blood and the system  200  includes a second temperature sensing device for sensing the temperature of the second fluid. In some embodiments, the target device  240  includes a first temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the blood and the system  200  includes a second temperature sensing device for sensing the temperature of the first fluid and a third temperature sensing device for sensing the temperature of the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first, second, and/or third temperature sensing devices are electrically coupled to the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the system  200  is configured to indicate if the temperature difference between the blood and at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid is greater than  10  degrees centigrade. In some embodiments, the system  200  is configured to maintain a predefined temperature offset between the blood and at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid circuit  204 , including the secondary circuit pump  246 , is a single use disposable circuit. In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid circuit  204 , not including the secondary circuit pump  246 , is a single use disposable circuit. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  232 , including the secondary circuit pump  246 , is disposable. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  232 , not including the secondary circuit pump  246 , is disposable. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes water. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  246  includes a pump of a HLM and/or a standalone pump. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  246  is part of the heat transfer fluid circuit  204 . In some embodiments, the secondary circuit pump  246  is part of the heater/cooler module  202 . 
     In some embodiments, the second fluid reservoir  242  is closed. In some embodiments, the second fluid reservoir  242  is a hermetically sealed, closed container. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  232  is a closed circuit containing the second fluid. In some embodiments, the secondary circuit  232  is a hermetically sealed closed circuit containing the second fluid. In embodiments where the secondary circuit  232  is a closed circuit, the system  200  prevents contamination of the OR due to open air tanks holding the second fluid. Also, these embodiments eliminate the need for disinfecting the secondary circuit  232 . 
     In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid circuit  204  is a reusable circuit that is cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. In other embodiments, at least part of the secondary circuit  204  is part of the heater/cooler module  202  and non-disposable, such that the at least part of the secondary circuit  232  is cleaned and disinfected after one or more uses. In disinfecting, the secondary circuit  232  is emptied of any residual second fluid and hot disinfected at a temperature, such as 95 C, for a specified time to sterilize the circuit, including the prevention of bacterial growth. 
     The secondary circuit pump  246  pumps the second fluid around and through the secondary circuit tubing  244 , the heat exchanger  206 , the target device  240 , and into the second fluid reservoir  242  and back to the secondary circuit pump  246 . The secondary circuit  232  provides the second fluid to the target device  240  to heat/cool the target device  240 . The primary circuit  210  and the secondary circuit  232  are separate circuits, such that the first fluid and the second fluid remain separated in the system  200 . 
     The heat exchanger  206  includes at least part of the primary circuit  210  through which the first fluid flows and at least part of the secondary circuit  232  through which the second fluid flows to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid. 
       FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustrating a heat exchanger  300 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The heat exchanger  300  includes a first module  302  and a second module  304 . In some embodiments, the first module  302  is part of the primary circuit of the corresponding heater/cooler module, such that the first module  302  is a primary circuit module. In some embodiments, the second module  304  is part of the secondary circuit of the corresponding heat transfer fluid circuit, such that the second module  304  is a secondary circuit module. 
     The first module  302  includes a base portion  306  including fluidic connections  308  for fluidically connecting the primary circuit of the corresponding heater/cooler module to the heat exchanger  300 . The fluidic connections  308  fluidically communicate a first fluid to coil  310  through which the first fluid flows to achieve a first temperature of the heat exchanger coil  310 . The base portion  306  further includes o-rings  312  or other means for securing/sealing the second module  304  to the first module  302  in a fluid-proof or fluid-tight connection that prevents leakage of fluid. 
       FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating the second module  304  removed from the first module  302 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The second module  304  includes fluidic connections  314  for fluidically connecting the secondary circuit of the corresponding heat transfer fluid circuit to the second module  304 . The fluidic connections  314  fluidically communicate the second fluid through the second module  304  and around the outside of the coil  310  to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the coil  310  with the second fluid to achieve a second temperature of the second fluid. The second module  304  is secured to the first module  302  over the o-rings  312  or other means for securing/sealing the second module  304  to the first module  302  to provide the fluid-tight fit that prevents leakage of the second fluid from the second module  304 . In some embodiments, the second module  304  is a disposable module. 
     In some embodiments, the first module  302  includes an auxiliary electric heater  316  that is controlled to heat the second fluid. In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric heater  316  is used during thermal disinfection to dry and thermally disinfect the heat exchanger  300 . In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric heater  316  is electrically coupled to and controlled by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  300 , such as the base portion  306  of the heat exchanger  300 , includes an auxiliary heater, such as an auxiliary electric heater, for heating the first fluid. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  300  includes one or more auxiliary heaters, such as electric heaters or other suitable types of heaters. In some embodiments, the second module  304  includes one or more auxiliary heaters, such as auxiliary electric heaters, controlled to heat the second fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the first module  302  includes a temperature sensor  318  to measure a temperature of the heat exchanger  300 , such as a temperature of the base portion  306 , in the absence of the second fluid in the second module  304 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  318  is electrically coupled to and read by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  300  includes more than one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heat exchanger  300 . 
     In some embodiments, the first module  302  includes a temperature sensor  320  to measure a temperature of the second fluid in the second module  304 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  320  is electrically coupled to and read by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  300  includes more than one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. In some embodiments, the second module  304  includes a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the second fluid in the second module  304 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating another heat exchanger  350 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The heat exchanger  350  includes a heat exchanger structure  352  and a container  354  that is sealed around the heat exchanger structure  352  in a fluid-tight connection. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  is part of the primary circuit of the corresponding heater/cooler module, such that the heat exchanger structure  352  is a primary circuit module. In some embodiments, the container  354  is part of the secondary circuit of the corresponding heat transfer fluid circuit, such that the container  354  is a secondary circuit module. In some embodiments, the container  354  is part of the secondary circuit that contains the patient&#39;s blood or drugs or other fluids. In some embodiments, the container  354  is part of a secondary circuit that is directly the heat exchanger of an oxygenator. 
     The heat exchanger structure  352  includes fluidic connections  356  for fluidically connecting the primary circuit of the corresponding heater/cooler module to the heat exchanger structure  352 . The fluidic connections  356  fluidically communicate a first fluid to the heat exchanger structure  352  through which the first fluid flows to achieve a first temperature of the heat exchanger structure  352 , i.e., the first fluid flowing through the heat exchanger structure  352  facilitates heat transfer between the first fluid and the heat exchanger structure  352  to achieve a first temperature of the heat exchanger structure  352 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  includes seals (not shown) for securing the container  354  to the heat exchanger structure  352  in a fluid-tight connection that prevents leakage of the second fluid. 
     The container  354  includes fluidic connections  358  for fluidically connecting the secondary circuit of the corresponding heat transfer fluid circuit to the container  354 . The fluidic connections  358  fluidically communicate the second fluid through the container  354  and around the outside of the heat exchanger structure  352  to facilitate heat transfer between the heat exchanger structure  352  and the second fluid to achieve a second temperature of the second fluid, i.e., the second fluid flows through the container  354  and around the heat exchanger structure  352  separated by a heat conducting material in the container  354  to facilitate heat transfer between the heat exchanger structure  352  and the second fluid to achieve a second temperature of the second fluid. In some embodiments, the container  354  is a disposable container. 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  includes an auxiliary electric heater  360  that is controlled to heat the second fluid. In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric heater  360  is electrically coupled to and controlled by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  includes an auxiliary heater, such as an auxiliary electric heater, for heating the first fluid. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  includes one or more auxiliary heaters, such as electric heaters or other suitable types of heaters. In some embodiments, the container  354  includes one or more auxiliary heaters, such as auxiliary electric heaters, controlled to heat the second fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  includes a temperature sensor  362  to measure a temperature of the heat exchanger structure  352 , with or without the second fluid in the container  354 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  362  is electrically coupled to and read by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  350  includes more than one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heat exchanger structure  352 . 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  includes a temperature sensor  364  to measure a temperature of the second fluid in the container  354 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  364  is electrically coupled to and read by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  350  includes more than one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. In some embodiments, the container  354  includes a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the second fluid in the container  354 . 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger structure  352  includes a temperature sensor  366  to measure a temperature of the first fluid. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  366  is electrically coupled to and read by the electronic control unit  208 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating another heat exchanger  400 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The heat exchanger  400  includes a first heat exchanger module  402  and a second heat exchanger module  404 . In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger module  402  is part of the primary circuit of the corresponding heater/cooler module, such that the first heat exchanger module  402  is a primary circuit module. In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger module  404  is part of the secondary circuit of the corresponding heat transfer fluid circuit, such that the second heat exchanger module  404  is a secondary circuit module. 
     The first heat exchanger module  402  includes inlet and outlet fluidic connections  406  for fluidically connecting the primary circuit of the corresponding heater/cooler module to the first heat exchanger module  402 . The fluidic connections  406  fluidically communicate a first fluid to the first heat exchanger module  402  through which the first fluid flows to achieve a first temperature of the first heat exchanger module  402 , i.e., the first fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger module  402  facilitates heat transfer between the first fluid and the first heat exchanger module  402  to achieve a first temperature of the first heat exchanger module  402 . The first heat exchanger module  402  includes a flat side  408  that is situated in close proximity or next to the second heat exchanger module  404  to facilitate heat transfer between the first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404 . In some embodiments, the flat side  408  of the first heat exchanger module  402  touches at least part of the second heat exchanger module  404  to facilitate heat transfer between the first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404 . In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger module  402  includes a labyrinth of baffles or structures for causing the first fluid to circulate in the first heat exchanger module  402  to facilitate heat transfer between the first fluid and the first heat exchanger module  402 . In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger module  402  is a disposable heat exchanger module. In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger module  402  is a non-disposable heat exchanger module that is part of the corresponding heater/cooler module. 
     The second heat exchanger module  404  includes inlet and outlet fluidic connections  410  for fluidically connecting the secondary circuit of the corresponding heat transfer fluid circuit to the second heat exchanger module  404 . The fluidic connections  410  fluidically communicate the second fluid through the second heat exchanger module  404  and through a labyrinth of baffles or structures  412  to facilitate heat transfer between the second heat exchanger module  404  and the second fluid to achieve a second temperature of the second fluid, i.e., the second fluid flows through the second heat exchanger module  404  to facilitate heat transfer between the second heat exchanger module  404  and the second fluid to achieve a second temperature of the second fluid. The second heat exchanger module  404  includes a flat side  414  that is situated in close proximity or next to the flat side  408  of the first heat exchanger module  402  to facilitate heat transfer between the first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404 , which then transfers heat to/from the second heat exchanger module to the second fluid to achieve the second temperature of the second fluid. In some embodiments, the flat side  408  of the first heat exchanger module  402  touches at least part of the flat side  414  of the second heat exchanger module  404  to facilitate heat transfer between the first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404 . In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger module  404  is a disposable heat exchanger module. In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger module  404  is a non-disposable heat exchanger module that is part of one of the corresponding heater/cooler module or the corresponding heat transfer circuit module. In some embodiments at least one of the first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404  is referred to as a plate heat exchanger or a plate heat exchanger module. 
     The first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404  include a positioning mechanism  416  for situating and positioning the first and second heat exchanger modules  402  and  404  together. In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism  416  includes a safety interlock to prevent operation if the first and second heat exchanger modules  402  and  404  are not interfaced properly and, in some embodiments, to provide a warning signal to the operator. In some embodiments, one of the first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404  includes a pin, such as at one or more corners, and the other includes one or more holes configured to receive the one or more pins for placement. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the positioning mechanism  416 , such as a positioning pin, are detected by the electronic control unit  308  and used to adapt the performance parameters of the system to the specific first and/or second heat exchanger modules  402  and  404  being used. 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  400  includes one or more auxiliary heaters, such as auxiliary electric heater  418 , to heat the second fluid and, in some embodiments, to more precisely regulate the amount of energy transferred to the target device and/or a patient. In some embodiments, at least one of the auxiliary electric heaters  418  is situated between the first heat exchanger module  402  and the second heat exchanger module  404  and controlled to transfer heat to the second heat exchanger module  404  and the second fluid. In some embodiments, at least one of the auxiliary electric heaters is situated on or in one or more of the first heat exchanger modules  402  and controlled to transfer heat to the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first heat exchanger module  402  includes at least one auxiliary heater, such as auxiliary electric heater  418 , for heating the first fluid. In some embodiments, the second heat exchanger module  404  includes at least one auxiliary heater, such as auxiliary electric heater  418 , for heating the second fluid. In some embodiments, at least one of the auxiliary electric heaters  418  can be used during thermal disinfection to dry and thermally disinfect one or more of the first and second heat exchanger modules  402  and  404 . In some embodiments, at least one of the auxiliary electric heaters  418  is electrically coupled to and controlled by an electronic control unit, such as the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, one or more of the auxiliary heaters are auxiliary heater/coolers, such as Peltier type heater/coolers, for transferring heat to and/or from the second fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  400  includes one or more temperature sensors  420  to measure a temperature of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  400  includes at least one temperature sensor  420  situated near at least one of the inlet and the outlet fluidic connections  406  to measure the temperature of the first fluid. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  400  includes at least one temperature sensor  420  situated near at least one of the inlet and outlet fluidic connections  410  to measure the temperature of the second fluid, where the temperature of the second fluid at the outlet fluidic connection  410  measures the temperature of the fluid flowing to the target device and the temperature of the second fluid at the inlet fluidic connection  410  can be used to measure or calculate the amount of energy transferred to the target device. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  400  includes one or more temperature sensors  420  configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the first and second heat exchanger modules  402  and  404 , with or without fluid in the at least one of the first and second heat exchanger modules  402  and  404 . In some embodiments, one or more of the temperature sensors  420  is electrically coupled to and read by the electronic control unit  208 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensors  420  extend into the first and/or second heat exchanger modules  402  and  404  to measure the temperature of the first and/or second fluids, respectively. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagram illustrating a method of heating/cooling a target fluid in a target device via a heater/cooler module, according to embodiments of the disclosure. The heater/cooler module includes a first fluid in a primary circuit, a pump, a heater/cooler element, and a heat exchanger. 
     At  500 , the method includes pumping the first fluid through the primary circuit and the heat exchanger via the pump. At  502 , the method includes heating/cooling the first fluid in the primary circuit with the heater/cooler element. In some embodiments, the heater/cooler element includes a heat pump. In some embodiments, heating/cooling the first fluid includes heating/cooling the first fluid in the primary circuit with an auxiliary heat exchanger in the heater/cooler module, where the auxiliary heat exchanger is configured to receive a third fluid to facilitate heat transfer between the third fluid and the first fluid in the primary circuit. In some embodiments, heating/cooling the first fluid includes heating/cooling the first fluid in the primary circuit with a thermoelectric heater/cooler, such as a Peltier heater/cooler, coupled to the heat exchanger. 
     At  504 , the method includes providing a second fluid in a secondary circuit that is separate from the primary circuit, such that the first fluid and the second fluid are maintained as separate fluids. At  506 , the method includes pumping the second fluid through the secondary circuit and the heat exchanger and, at  508 , facilitating heat transfer in the heat exchanger between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit. In some embodiments, facilitating heat transfer between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit includes pumping the first fluid through a heat exchanger coil that is part of the primary circuit and situated in the heat exchanger, and pumping the second fluid through a container that is sealed around the heat exchanger coil, such that the second fluid flows around the heat exchanger coil. In some embodiments, facilitating heat transfer between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit includes pumping the first fluid through a heat exchanger structure that is part of the primary circuit and situated in the heat exchanger, and pumping the second fluid through a container that is sealed around the heat exchanger structure, such that the second fluid flows around the heat exchanger structure. In some embodiments, facilitating heat transfer between the second fluid in the secondary circuit and the first fluid in the primary circuit pumping the first fluid through a first plate heat exchanger that is part of the primary circuit and situated in the heat exchanger, pumping the second fluid through a second plate heat exchanger that is part of the secondary circuit and the heat transfer fluid circuit, and facilitating heat transfer between the first plate heat exchanger and the second plate heat exchanger to heat/cool the second fluid. 
     At  510 , the method includes providing the second fluid to the target device to facilitate heat transfer between the second fluid and the target fluid. In some embodiments, the method also includes heating at least one of the first fluid in the heat exchanger and the second fluid in the heat exchanger with one or more auxiliary electric heaters coupled to the heat exchanger. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.