Adjustable Applicator Bud for Cryosurgical Lesion Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryosurgical systems have fixed-sized buds, leading to uncertainty in the number of treatments needed and potential damage to healthy tissue, with residual refrigerant posing environmental and safety hazards during disposal.
Innovation Solution
A cryosurgical system with an adjustable applicator bud and a container containing a refrigerant, where the bud size can be adjusted using an adjustment ring, and a delivery tube with porous materials to maintain refrigerant flow and extend treatment duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-sized buds are provided to treat different sized lesions, then the system can treat various lesion sizes, but the device complexity and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bud assembly incorporates a compression mechanism that allows the bud size to be dynamically adjusted by the user. The bud can be compressed to different degrees to match different lesion sizes, transforming a static fixed-size system into a dynamic adjustable system that adapts to various treatment needs without requiring multiple separate buds
Solution Approach 2:
A single bud assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different compression levels. The universal bud design with adjustable compression can treat both small and large lesions, replacing the need for multiple specialized buds of different fixed sizes
2Reliability
If the pressurized can is overfilled with refrigerant to compensate for losses during shipping and storage, then sufficient refrigerant is available for the full shelf life, but residual refrigerant creates environmental hazards and explosion risks during disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the refrigerant by incorporating a pressure relief valve that activates at a predetermined pressure threshold. This allows the refrigerant to be stored at high pressure for reliability during use, then safely vented to atmospheric pressure for safe disposal, transforming the pressure state based on the operational phase
Solution Approach 2:
The high-pressure refrigerant that initially presents a hazard during disposal is converted into a beneficial resource by capturing and utilizing it. The system includes mechanisms to recover the vented refrigerant for reuse, transforming the harmful residual refrigerant into a reusable asset that reduces waste and environmental impact
3Ease of operation
If a valve is included to release refrigerant during treatments, then refrigerant can be controlled during use, but the valve must withstand high temperatures and pressures while minimizing leaking that reduces shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed as a single-use component that is discarded after one treatment. This eliminates the need for the valve to maintain integrity over the entire shelf life and withstand repeated thermal cycling, as each new kit contains a fresh valve that only needs to function for one controlled treatment event
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the bud size is matched precisely to the lesion size, then pain from freezing healthy tissue is minimized, but the system requires precise measurement and selection capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The bud assembly allows dynamic size adjustment through compression, enabling the user to match the bud size to the lesion size by simple compression rather than requiring precise pre-selection from multiple fixed sizes. This maintains the benefit of customized sizing while greatly simplifying the operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides preliminary guidance markings or indicators on the bud assembly that guide the user to the appropriate compression level for different lesion sizes, performing the measurement and selection function in advance to simplify the user's decision-making process during treatment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise treatment of lesions of varying sizes with reduced damage to healthy tissue and efficient refrigerant use, minimizing waste and safety risks by allowing for single-use treatments and flexible application in hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
a delivery tube with porous materials to maintain refrigerant flow and extend treatment duration
Implementation Method 2
applying the applicator bud to a targeted treatment lesion area to freeze the lesion area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A cryo-surgical system may comprise a container containing a refrigerant, a delivery tube having a first end configured to be in flow communication with the container and a second end opposite the first end. The system may further include a plurality of flexible finger portions disposed proximate a second end of the delivery tube opposite the first end, an applicator bud having a body portion disposed within the plurality of flexible finger portions and a contact surface extending from the plurality of flexible finger portions. An adjustment ring may be disposed along the delivery tube adjacent to the plurality of flexible finger portions. The contact surface of the bud may be changeable by adjustment of the adjustment ring.