Localized Cochlear Cooling Tip for Neuroprotection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for implanting auditory prostheses often result in functional hearing loss due to surgical trauma, and existing cooling technologies are either impractical for small applications or have adverse side effects when used for systemic cooling.
Innovation Solution
A medical device that provides localized therapeutic hypothermia using a thermally conductive cooling tip and a multiport catheter coupled with a thermoelectric cooling system, allowing for controlled temperature regulation in the cochlear region during and after medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If systemic cooling is used to protect the cochlea during surgery, then neuroprotective effects are achieved, but adverse side effects on immune response and other biological phenomena occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into a localized application device that targets only the cochlear region through the round window niche, rather than systemic cooling. The cooling tip is positioned in direct contact with the cochlea to provide focused thermal therapy to the specific anatomical structure needing protection during cochlear implant surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying cooling therapy exclusively to the cochlear region while leaving the rest of the body at normal temperature. This localized approach ensures neuroprotective effects are concentrated where needed without causing immune suppression or other adverse systemic effects that would result from whole-body cooling
2Temperature
If cooling technology is applied to small anatomical structures like the cochlea, then localized temperature control is achieved, but existing cooling technologies are either impractical or cause adverse side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the round window niche as an intermediary access point to deliver the cooling tip to the cochlea. This natural anatomical opening serves as a mediator that allows the cooling device to reach the target structure without requiring invasive surgery or complex positioning, making the application practical and straightforward
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cooling systems with a thermoelectric cooling device that uses electrical current to generate cooling effects directly at the tip. This substitution of mechanical refrigeration with solid-state thermoelectric cooling makes the system compact, controllable, and suitable for use in small anatomical spaces
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 device effectively reduces or prevents functional hearing loss by maintaining a mild hypothermic state in the auditory pathway, minimizing trauma-related damage and promoting neuroprotective effects without significant adverse effects on other biological phenomena or immune responses.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric cooling system has a cooling side and an opposite side, and the cooling side is assembled in proximity to a portion of the multiport catheter
Implementation Method 2
thermally conductive cooling tip and a multiport catheter coupled to the thermally conductive cooling tip
Implementation Method 3
A pump has an output port coupled to the first lumen and an input port coupled to the second lumen. The pump is configured to move the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Therapeutic application of mild to moderate hypothermia in a medical procedure has been found to provide benefits to patients. For example, application of mild hypothermia in the auditory pathway can prevent functional hearing loss post cochlear implant surgery. Devices have been conceived and reduced to practice that apply localized cooling to a small area such as the basal or middle turn of the cochlea. The devices include a cooling tip with at least one thermo-conductive surface. A heat-transporting fluid is circulated through the cooling tip. After absorbing heat, the heat-transporting fluid may be controllably cooled with a thermoelectric cooling device.