Cryoanesthesia Cooling Device for Ocular Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ocular anesthesia methods for intravitreal injections are invasive, time-consuming, and often result in patient discomfort due to the use of pharmacologic agents, which can cause adverse effects such as eye dryness and soreness.

Innovation Solution

A medical cooling device and method that utilizes cryoanesthesia by thermally coupling a cooling medium with a lubricating member to rapidly and safely achieve maximal anesthesia without the need for pharmacologic agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmacologic anesthesia agents are used for intravitreal injection, then anesthesia effect is achieved, but patient discomfort and adverse effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanesthesia effectVSAvoidpatient discomfort and adverse effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pharmacologic anesthesia agents with a mechanical cooling system. The cooling device uses a cooling element that directly contacts the ocular surface to produce anesthesia through thermal mechanisms rather than chemical agents, thereby eliminating drug-related adverse effects while maintaining reliable anesthesia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of temperature to achieve anesthesia. By controlling the temperature of the cooling element within a specific range (below skin temperature but above freezing), the system produces anesthesia through thermal stimulation without causing tissue damage, thus achieving reliable anesthesia while avoiding the harmful effects of pharmacologic agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional ocular anesthesia methods are used, then anesthesia is achieved, but procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanesthesia effectVSAvoidpatient preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling element can be pre-cooled to the required temperature before patient contact. This preliminary cooling action allows the device to be ready for immediate use, eliminating the waiting time required for pharmacologic agents to take effect while ensuring the anesthesia effect is achieved upon contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical cooling system provides immediate anesthesia upon contact with the ocular surface, unlike pharmacologic agents that require several minutes to take effect. This substitution dramatically reduces patient preparation time while maintaining reliable anesthesia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If cooling medium is directly contacted with ocular surface, then rapid anesthesia is achieved, but risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanesthesia onset speedVSAvoidtissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the temperature parameter of the cooling element, maintaining it within a safe range (above freezing but below skin temperature). This parameter control enables rapid anesthesia onset while preventing tissue damage from excessive cold. The system also controls the duration of cooling to achieve the desired anesthesia effect without prolonged exposure that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling element acts as an intermediary between the cooling medium and the ocular surface. It transfers thermal energy in a controlled manner, enabling rapid heat extraction for quick anesthesia while preventing direct contact with extremely cold substances that could cause tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device provides rapid and effective anesthesia, reducing patient discomfort and procedural time, while minimizing adverse effects associated with traditional anesthesia methods.

Implementation Method 1

a container configured to accommodate a cooling medium, the container including a plurality of divided members each having a contact surface which is thermally coupled with the cooling medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a lubricating member provided to the contact surface of the divided member, wherein the container is configured to be thermally coupled with the cooling medium via the lubricating member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS20250186250A1Device and method for cooling living tissue

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 RECENSMEDICAL INC

AI summary

A device and a method for cooling living tissues for a medical purpose and other purposes are proposed. The device may include a container configured to accommodate a cooling medium, the container including a plurality of divided members each having a contact surface which is thermally coupled with the cooling medium. The device may also include a cooling generator configured to provide cooling energy to the container, and disposed on another surface of the divided member other than the contact surface. The device may further include a lubricating member provided to the contact surface of the divided member, wherein the container is configured to be thermally coupled with the cooling medium via the lubricating member.