Apparatus and method for supplying coolant to a medical instrument
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for supplying coolant to medical instruments face challenges when the pressure of the coolant in storage containers is below the required level, leading to potential failures in instruments and other components due to pressure increases or condensation issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that include a storage container for coolant, a buffer container with higher pressure, and a tempering device to control the temperature and phase of the coolant, allowing for mechanical or thermal compression to ensure the coolant is provided at the necessary pressure and phase for instrument operation, preventing condensation or vapor bubble issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a piston pump is used to compress gas from a storage bottle to maintain desired pressure, then the gas pressure can be maintained even when storage bottle pressure decreases, but pressure increase can result in failures in instruments or components such as pressure controllers and valves
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer container is introduced as an intermediary between the storage container and the medical instrument. The buffer container receives compressed coolant from the storage container and maintains a buffer pressure higher than the storage container pressure, preventing direct pressure transmission that could damage instruments while ensuring sufficient pressure for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A tempering device is used to change the temperature parameter of the coolant in the buffer container. By heating the coolant, the system prevents condensation and maintains the coolant in the desired phase, ensuring reliable operation without causing pressure-related failures.
2Device complexity
If gas pressure in the storage bottle is used directly without compression, then the system is simple, but the pressure becomes insufficient for instrument operation when the storage bottle pressure reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer container is pre-filled with coolant and pre-compressed to a pressure higher than the storage container. This preliminary action ensures that even when storage container pressure drops, the buffer container can immediately supply sufficient pressure to the instrument without requiring active compression during operation.
3Reliability
If the coolant is tempered by heating to prevent condensation, then droplet condensation is avoided, but energy is consumed and temperature control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The tempering device adjusts the temperature parameter of the coolant in the buffer container to prevent condensation. By maintaining the coolant above its dew point temperature, the system ensures reliable gas phase coolant flow without energy-wasting condensation, accepting the necessary energy input for temperature control.
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
Ensures reliable operation of medical instruments by maintaining coolant at the desired pressure and phase, enhancing safety and functionality even under adverse temperature conditions, independent of the storage container's pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the tempering device can be configured as heating device
Implementation Method 2
the tempering device can be configured as cooling device
Implementation Method 3
The coolant can be subject to a thermal compression in that it is heated by means of the tempering device in the buffer container under volume containment
Implementation Method 4
it can be subject to a mechanical compression in that it is compressed by means of a mechanical pump
Implementation Method 5
a pump can be provided in addition to the tempering device that is connected with the storage container on its suction side and with the buffer container on its pressure side. Then the pump compresses coolant taken from the storage container and supplies it to the buffer container with increased pressure
Implementation Method 6
The creation of cold can be particularly based on the Joule-Thomson-effect in which the expansion of a gaseous coolant K at a restrictor results in cooling
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for supply of coolant, particularly CO2 that is preferably provided in bottles, to cryosurgical instruments. The device may be a mechanical or thermal compression device. A pump may supply the CO2 taken from the bottle in a buffer container with a desired operation pressure. The pressure in the gas bottle can be less than the desired operation pressure. The apparatus includes a tempering device that is configured to bring the coolant to a desired temperature, particularly a temperature that is higher than the temperature in the gas bottle or in another storage container.