Coolant Pumping for Energy Delivery Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy delivery devices for tissue treatment with electromagnetic energy face inefficiencies in coolant delivery, particularly due to the time-consuming startup and pressurization process required by heated reservoirs used in conventional cryogen systems.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a pump is integrated to efficiently pump a coolant or cryogen to the energy delivery device, reducing the need for heated reservoirs and enabling rapid pressurization, thus improving the delivery of coolant to the treatment tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heated reservoir is used to provide pressurized cryogen, then the cryogen can be delivered to the treatment tip, but the system requires a large amount of time to startup or recover after replacing a spent cryogen canister
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cryogen system by storing cryogen as a liquid at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, then vaporizing it on-demand. This eliminates the need for heated reservoirs and allows rapid pressurization through electrically-driven vaporization, reducing startup time from several minutes to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores cryogen in liquid form in a canister at ambient conditions, prepared in advance for rapid deployment. When needed, the liquid cryogen is quickly vaporized and pressurized through electrical heating elements, enabling fast startup without requiring prolonged heating of large reservoirs.
2Reliability
If a heated reservoir is used to provide pressurized cryogen, then the cryogen can be delivered to the treatment tip, but the system requires several minutes to pressurize when powered on or after fresh canister installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters by using small-scale, rapid vaporization of pre-stored liquid cryogen instead of heating large reservoirs. This allows the system to reach operational pressure in seconds rather than minutes, significantly improving treatment throughput and reducing waiting time between treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogen delivery system is segmented into a large storage canister for bulk liquid cryogen and a small vaporization chamber for rapid pressurization. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a large supply of cryogen while enabling quick pressurization of smaller amounts for immediate treatment, thereby improving productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cryogen spray systems are used, then superficial tissue can be cooled to protect from thermal damage, but the delivery of coolant is slow and less controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that monitor the cooling process and adjust cryogen delivery in real-time. This allows precise control of the cooling effect on superficial tissue, ensuring adequate protection from thermal damage while avoiding excessive cooling that could interfere with treatment efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogen delivery system is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing real-time modification of spray rate, duration, and intensity. This enables the operator to optimize cooling delivery for different treatment conditions and patient requirements, improving ease of operation and treatment customization.
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
This solution allows for faster and more controlled coolant delivery, reducing treatment time and enhancing the precision of tissue cooling, which protects superficial tissue from thermal damage and optimizes the therapeutic effect of electromagnetic energy.
Implementation Method 1
pumping a fluid from a container to an energy delivery device
Implementation Method 2
emits electromagnetic energy that penetrates through the skin surface and into the tissue beneath the skin surface
Implementation Method 3
Heat is conducted from the warmer tissue to the cooler treatment tip, which cools tissue to a shallow depth beneath the skin surface
Implementation Method 4
The cryogen spray may be used to pre-cool superficial tissue before delivering the electromagnetic energy
Implementation Method 5
The high frequency energy heats tissue beneath the epidermis to a temperature sufficient to denature collagen
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for delivering coolant to an energy delivery device used to treat tissue with electromagnetic energy. A cooling system includes a pump that is configured to pump a coolant to the energy delivery device.