Cryo-Stimulation Needle for Precise Nerve Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for focused cold therapy (FCT) lack precision in nerve localization, leading to reduced treatment accuracy, increased treatment times, and higher re-treatment rates, as well as excessive use of refrigerant cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A cryo-stimulation treatment device with a needle designed to produce a cold zone and an electrically insulative coating, coupled with an electrical nerve stimulation generator to enhance nerve targeting, allowing for precise localization and treatment of target nerves through electrical stimulation and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical nerve stimulation is integrated with focused cold therapy, then nerve targeting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical nerve stimulation capability and focused cold therapy delivery into a single integrated device. The needle assembly includes both stimulation electrodes and cold therapy elements, allowing simultaneous or sequential operation of both functions through a unified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: electrical nerve stimulation for localization, focused cold therapy delivery for treatment, and feedback signal generation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate devices and improves targeting accuracy through integrated operation.
2Measurement precision
If precise nerve localization is achieved through electrical stimulation, then treatment accuracy is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary electrical nerve stimulation to accurately locate and confirm the target nerve before initiating focused cold therapy. This preliminary localization step ensures precise targeting, reducing the need for repeat treatments and improving overall treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device allows continuous operation where electrical stimulation and cold therapy can be performed in sequence or simultaneously without requiring device changes or repositioning. The needle assembly remains in place throughout the procedure, maintaining continuous therapeutic action.
3Device complexity
If focused cold therapy is applied without precise nerve localization, then device simplicity is maintained, but re-treatment rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates electrical nerve stimulation that provides real-time feedback signals when the target nerve is successfully located and stimulated. This feedback mechanism confirms accurate needle placement and nerve identification before cold therapy delivery, ensuring reliable treatment outcomes and reducing re-treatment rates.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple refrigerant cartridges are used for treatment, then treatment coverage is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The focused cold therapy system dynamically adjusts the cold zone size and intensity based on the specific treatment requirements and nerve location. The system can concentrate the cold therapy precisely at the target site, maximizing treatment effectiveness with minimal refrigerant consumption rather than requiring multiple cartridges for broader coverage.
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
Improves nerve targeting accuracy, reduces treatment time, decreases re-treatment rates, and minimizes refrigerant cartridge usage by integrating electrical nerve stimulation with focused cold therapy for more efficient and precise procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The needle may be configured to produce a cold zone for focused cold therapy
Implementation Method 2
The proximal end of the needle may be configured to couple with an electrical nerve stimulation generator that generates an electrical field about the distal end of the needle for electrically stimulating and locating the target nerve
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to improved medical devices, systems, and methods. In many embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for locating and treating a target nerve with cold therapy are provided. For example, a focused cold therapy treatment device may be provided that is adapted to couple with or be fully integrated with a nerve stimulation device such that nerve stimulation and focused cold therapy may be performed concurrently with the cryo-stimulation device. Improvements in nerve localization and targeting may increase treatment accuracy and physician confidence in needle placement during treatment. In turn, such improvements may decrease overall treatment times, the number of repeat treatments, and the re-treatment rate. Further, additional improvements in nerve localization and targeting may reduce the number of applied treatment cycles and may also reduce the number of cartridge changes.