CMUT Catheter Cooling to Protect Non-Target Tissue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound treatments for prostate conditions like BPH and prostate cancer often cause heat-induced damage to non-target tissues due to the use of piezoelectric transducers, necessitating complex liquid cooling systems that add bulk and regulatory challenges.

Innovation Solution

A medical device utilizing a CMUT array with integrated thermoelectric coolers for solid-state cooling to prevent heat damage to non-target tissues, allowing precise temperature control and efficient heat removal without the need for liquid cooling systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If piezoelectric transducers are used for ultrasound treatment, then ultrasound energy can be delivered to target tissue, but heat-induced damage occurs to non-target tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasound energy deliveryVSAvoidheat-induced damage to non-target tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful heat effect into a beneficial cooling effect by using thermoelectric coolers. These coolers actively remove heat from non-target tissues that are exposed to ultrasound energy, transforming the potential harm of thermal damage into a protective cooling mechanism that preserves healthy tissue while allowing aggressive treatment of target tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If liquid cooling systems are added to prevent heat damage, then non-target tissue protection is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat damage protectionVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical liquid cooling systems with solid-state thermoelectric coolers. This substitution eliminates the need for liquid reservoirs, pumps, and complex fluid management systems, while providing more reliable and controllable cooling through solid-state Peltier devices that can be directly integrated into the ultrasound probe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If liquid cooling systems are used, then heat removal capability is improved, but regulatory challenges and system bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat removal capabilityVSAvoidsystem bulk and regulatory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces liquid-based thermal management with solid-state thermoelectric cooling. This eliminates all liquid-containing components, thereby removing associated regulatory hurdles related to liquid safety, leakage prevention, and biocompatibility. The solid-state devices are inherently more compact and do not require complex fluid management infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If thermoelectric coolers are integrated with CMUT array, then temperature control precision is improved, but device manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoiddevice manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the CMUT array and thermoelectric coolers into a single integrated module where both components work in close proximity. The coolers are positioned adjacent to the CMUT elements, allowing direct thermal management of the transducer elements and surrounding tissue. This integration enables precise temperature control while simplifying the overall device architecture by combining multiple functions into one unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The CMUT array with thermoelectric cooling effectively prevents heat-induced damage to non-target tissues, providing safer and more efficient ultrasound treatment with improved temperature control and reduced system complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array configured to emit ultrasound to target tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

at least one thermoelectric cooler mechanically coupled with the CMUT array and configured to cool non-target tissue heated by the ultrasound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12508448B2Medical device with CMUT array and solid state cooling, and associated methods and systems

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 ORCHARD ULTRASOUND INNOVATION LLC

AI summary

A medical device includes a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array configured to emit ultrasound to target tissue, and at least one thermoelectric cooler mechanically coupled with the CMUT array and configured to cool non-target tissue heated by the ultrasound. The medical device may be implemented in a catheter together with a solid thermal conductor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler and extending along the catheter, to conduct heat away from the thermoelectric cooler. A catheter or catheter sleeve includes a tubular wall for insertion into a body channel, and at least one thermoelectric cooler coupled to the tubular wall for cooling the body channel wall. A catheter sleeve includes tubular casing for insertion into a body channel and capable of encasing a catheter, and at least one sensor coupled to the tubular casing for sensing one or more properties of the body channel wall, such as temperature and pressure.