Low-Pressure Cryoablation Balloon with Closed-Loop Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryoablation devices using high-pressure gas throttling methods pose safety risks, incur high consumable costs, and require skilled operators due to high pressure and complex operation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cryoablation device and method utilizing a low-pressure cold medium circulation system with a refrigeration assembly that includes a medium storage tank, supply and recovery pipelines, and refrigeration components for efficient cooling and recycling, reducing the need for high-pressure gas and simplifying operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high-pressure gas throttling method is used for cryoablation cooling, then cooling effect is achieved, but safety risk increases due to high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high-pressure gas to low-pressure liquid refrigerant, fundamentally altering the working conditions to eliminate safety risks while maintaining cooling effectiveness through phase change mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure gas throttling system with a thermodynamic refrigeration cycle system using liquid refrigerant, substituting a dangerous mechanical approach with a controlled thermal process
2Temperature
If high-pressure gas is used as cooling medium, then cooling is achieved, but working fluid consumption increases and requires frequent supplementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop refrigeration system where the liquid refrigerant is continuously circulated and recovered through condensation and evaporation processes, eliminating fluid loss and the need for supplementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous refrigeration cycle with uninterrupted circulation of the liquid refrigerant through evaporation, condensation, and return paths, ensuring sustained cooling without discontinuity or fluid depletion
3Temperature
If high-pressure gas throttling method is used, then cooling is achieved, but operation complexity increases and requires skilled technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs an automated refrigeration control system where the liquid refrigerant cycle operates through automatic expansion valves, compressors, and temperature sensors, eliminating the need for manual high-pressure gas management and skilled technical intervention
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 system minimizes risk, conserves resources, and simplifies operation by using a low-pressure cold medium for cryoablation, enhancing safety and operational ease while improving cold energy utilization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigeration component is connected in series with the medium supply pipeline, and is suitable for refrigeration and heat exchange of the refrigerating medium in the medium supply pipeline
Implementation Method 2
The second cold quantity exchange device has a hot fluid passage installed on the medium supply pipe and a cold fluid passage installed on the medium recovery pipe, and cold energy is generated between the cold fluid passage and the hot fluid passage Exchange, pre-cooling the cooling medium flowing through the hot fluid channel
Implementation Method 3
The cryo-balloon is installed at the tip of the catheter and extended into the body. The cryoablation generator (host) passes the cold-carrying medium from the catheter into the cryo-balloon to cool it down, and then cryoablate the target tissue
Implementation Method 4
The cryoablation generator in the prior art generally adopts high-pressure gas throttling refrigeration method. When the high-pressure gas flows through the small hole and then adiabatic throttling, the temperature tends to change the pressure drops
Data Source
AI summary
A cryoablation device comprises a freezing balloon, a catheter, a storage tank, a delivery pipeline, a recovery pipeline, and a freezing element. Within the freezing balloon circulates a freezing substance, such as a low pressure liquid or gas or a gas-liquid mixture. A cryoablation method comprises the following four steps: pre-freezing, ablation, recovery, and rewarming. Advantages of the cryoablation device and method provided herein: low risk factor, easy to operate, convenient to use, exhibits high freezing efficiency, and temperature control accuracy.