Closed-loop cryogenic systems and processes for treating cervical abnormalities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryotherapy systems for cervical cancer treatment are not suitable for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to reliance on consumable gases and stable power grids, making them inaccessible and costly.

Innovation Solution

A portable, battery-powered closed-loop cryogenic system that recycles cryogenic materials for focused cooling, eliminating the need for consumable gases and stable power, using a probe assembly with a cervix-contacting tip and a cryogenic circulating unit to achieve effective tissue ablation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cryotherapy systems are used, then effective cryoablation treatment can be achieved, but the systems require consumable gases and stable power grids making them inaccessible in LMICs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidaccessibility in LMICs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system recycles its own cryogenic refrigerant through a closed-loop refrigeration cycle, eliminating the need for external gas supplies. The battery-powered design allows the system to operate independently without stable power grids, enabling self-sufficient operation in resource-limited settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a closed-loop refrigeration cycle that changes the state of the refrigerant between liquid and gas phases to achieve cooling. The controller modulates compressor speed to adjust freezing temperature, allowing adaptation to different treatment requirements without external gas supplies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If LEEP procedure is used, then standard of care treatment is provided, but expensive equipment and licensed medical doctors are required making it inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandard of care qualityVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the essential cryogenic cooling function from complex traditional cryotherapy systems by using a compact closed-loop refrigeration cycle with integrated battery power, eliminating the need for expensive external gas supplies and complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable system integrates multiple functions including refrigeration, power supply, and control into a single device that can be operated by various healthcare providers, not just licensed specialists, making the treatment accessible across different skill levels and resource settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If portable battery-powered system is used, then accessibility in LMICs is improved, but the system must achieve effective freezing without stable power grid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and accessibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic compression and expansion of the refrigerant in the closed-loop cycle to achieve cooling, with the controller modulating compressor operation to match the thermal demands of the probe, optimizing energy consumption during battery operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system exploits phase transitions of the refrigerant between liquid and gas states to achieve cooling without requiring continuous high-power input. The evaporative cooling process occurs naturally as the refrigerant absorbs heat during phase change, reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 effective cryoablation of precancerous lesions in LMICs without external gas supplies or stable power, providing a durable and efficient treatment method with minimal patient discomfort.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor configured to receive the one or more cryogenic materials from the probe assembly and pressurize the one or more cryogenic materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a condenser unit configured to convert the pressurized one or more cryogenic materials to a liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

an internal probe body in fluid connection with the cervix-contacting probe tip and comprising an internal evaporation chamber configured to circulate one or more cryogenic materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

the liquid is circulated to the probe to facilitate freezing of a precancerous lesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (thermal): Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 5

the liquid is circulated to the probe to facilitate freezing of a precancerous lesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250375235A1Closed-loop cryogenic systems and processes for treating cervical abnormalities

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 ANANYA HEALTH INC

AI summary

A closed-loop cryotherapy system and related processes are described herein. In various embodiments, the system includes a front-end probe assembly and a backend cryogenic circulating unit designed to provide effective cryotherapy treatment of cervical tissue anomalies without using consumable gases or a hard-wired stable power grid.