Cryoablation Catheter Balloon Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryosurgical systems face challenges in effectively freezing and destroying targeted biological tissues while minimizing damage to adjacent healthy tissues, due to limitations in precision and control of freezing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A cryoablation system utilizing a gas source for nitrogen gas at room temperature and constant pressure, coupled with a liquid generator and catheter equipped with a distal section containing a freezing element and a balloon for precise delivery of cryogen fluid, along with an active vacuum system for thermal insulation and safety features to control and monitor the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cryoprobes with particular shapes and sizes are used to contact selected tissue portions, then the freezing can be limited to a relatively small location, but the precision and control of freezing mechanisms are insufficient to effectively freeze targeted tissues while minimizing damage to adjacent healthy tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system employs dynamic control mechanisms including adjustable balloon inflation to modify the freezing zone size and shape in real-time, and controllable cryogen flow rates to adjust freezing intensity. The system transitions from static probe geometry to dynamic parameter adjustment, allowing precise control over the freezing boundary and temperature distribution during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes multiple adjustable parameters including cryogen flow rate, balloon inflation pressure, freezing duration, and temperature thresholds to precisely control the freezing process. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system can adjust the freezing zone boundaries and intensity to match the target tissue geometry while protecting adjacent healthy tissues.
2Temperature
If refrigerants are introduced through flexible or rigid probes to produce extreme freezing, then the freezing can be applied to target tissue, but the system complexity increases and control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system integrates multiple functions into a single device: the balloon serves both as a positioning element and a boundary controller for the freezing zone; the cryogen delivery system provides both cooling and temperature monitoring; the controller coordinates balloon inflation, cryogen flow, and freezing cycle management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon acts as an intermediary element between the cryogen delivery system and the target tissue. It mediates the freezing process by controlling the contact area and thermal isolation boundary, allowing precise delivery of extreme freezing temperatures to the target while protecting adjacent tissues through controlled thermal barriers.
3Reliability
If freezing is applied to target tissue through a heat transfer element, then the tissue can be destroyed, but adjacent healthy tissues may be undesirably affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different thermal conditions to different spatial zones: extreme freezing temperatures are concentrated at the target tissue location through controlled cryogen flow, while adjacent healthy tissues are protected by the balloon boundary and reduced cryogen flow in those regions. This creates a non-uniform temperature distribution that is highly localized to the target area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature monitoring and control mechanisms that provide feedback on the freezing process. By monitoring temperature at the target site and adjusting cryogen flow rates accordingly, the system ensures sufficient freezing for tissue destruction while preventing excessive cooling that would damage adjacent healthy tissues. The controller modulates cryogen delivery based on real-time temperature conditions.
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 achieves precise and controlled freezing and thawing cycles, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and enhancing the efficiency of cryoablation procedures by maintaining thermal insulation and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid generator which is coupled to the gas source to receive the working gas, and which then generates a working cryogen fluid
Implementation Method 2
a catheter coupled to the liquid generator for receiving the working cryogen, the catheter having a distal section having a freezing element which delivers the working cryogen to a treatment location
Implementation Method 3
the catheter also having a balloon positioned adjacent the distal section
Data Source
AI summary
A cryoablation system has a gas source which provides a working nitrogen gas at room temperature and at a constant set pressure, a liquid generator which is coupled to the gas source to receive the working gas, and which then generates a working cryogen fluid, and a catheter coupled to the liquid generator for receiving the working cryogen, the catheter having a distal section having a freezing element which delivers the working cryogen to a treatment location, the catheter also having a balloon positioned adjacent the distal section.