Cryotherapy Nanoparticles for Uniform Tissue Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryotherapy methods are limited in efficacy and efficiency, particularly in achieving effective cooling and minimizing toxicity, especially when used without nanoparticles or in the absence of ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A cryo-system comprising a cryo-probe and nanoparticles, where the nanoparticles are made of iron and another metal, allowing for enhanced cooling efficacy by localizing cold storage, reducing temperature gradients, and maintaining temperature plateaus, thereby improving cryotherapy outcomes without the need for ice formation or magnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If conventional cryotherapy methods are used without nanoparticles, then the treatment can be administered, but the cooling efficacy is limited and the volume cooled is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling function by introducing nanoparticles as separate cooling units distributed throughout the target tissue. Each nanoparticle acts as an independent cold storage unit, collectively increasing the total volume cooled while maintaining high cooling efficacy at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
Nanoparticles serve as intermediary carriers that mediate the transfer of cold from the cryo-probe to the target tissue. These particles absorb and store cold at the probe location, then distribute it throughout the tissue, thereby expanding the cooled volume while maintaining effective cooling temperatures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional cryotherapy is used, then treatment can be performed, but temperature gradients are high causing non-uniform cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing nanoparticles uniformly throughout the target tissue, creating localized cooling units at multiple positions. This ensures that each region of the tissue receives appropriate cooling, reducing temperature gradients and achieving more uniform temperature distribution across the entire treatment volume.
3Duration of action of moving object
If cryotherapy is performed without nanoparticles, then the procedure is simpler, but the therapeutic benefit is reduced due to rapid warming
Solution Approach 1:
The nanoparticles function as reusable cold storage units that can be charged with cold during the cooling phase and then discharge it during the warming phase. This allows the system to recover and reuse the stored cold energy, extending the duration of therapeutic cooling effects even after the cryo-probe is removed or turned off.
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 cryo-system achieves more effective cooling with reduced toxicity by increasing the volume cooled, maintaining lower temperature gradients, and allowing for slower warming, thus enhancing the therapeutic benefits of cryotherapy.
Implementation Method 1
The assembly of at least two nanoparticles or the at least one nanoparticle is preferentially meant to be cooled down by: a) the cryo-probe or (3) switching on or activating the cryo-probe. The assembly of at least two nanoparticles or the at least one nanoparticle is preferentially meant to warm up by: a) not using the cryo-probe or (3) switching off or not activating the cryo-probe.
Implementation Method 2
a) a first part, which is a cryo-probe wherein: i) the cryo-probe is suitable for an internal cooling action as it comprises a penetrating segment which is in communication with a cryogen source
Data Source
AI summary
A cryo-system for treating a body part of an individual by cryotherapy, which includes two parts. The first part is either i) a cryo-probe suitable for internal cooling, which includes a penetrating segment in communication with a cryogen source and is at least smaller than 1/10th of the body part's biggest volume and/or at least one dimension smaller than 1 cm or ii) a cryo-probe suitable for external cooling, which includes a non-penetrating segment in communication with a cryogen source. The second part is either i) an assembly of at least two nanoparticles bound to each other or associated with each other via binding or associating material or ii) at least one nanoparticle, which includes iron and at least one other metal than iron. The assembly of at least two nanoparticles or the at least one nanoparticle may be cooled by the cryo-probe or by switching on the cryo-probe.