Cryocabin Fluid Circulation Control for Personalized Cold Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing whole-body cryotherapy devices lack adjustability of treatment parameters such as temperature, velocity, and coolant flow direction, leading to inconsistent thermal shock responses and potential cold injuries due to varying individual cold tolerance and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A cryocabin arrangement with sensor-controlled fluid circulation units adjusts cooling fluid distribution in real-time based on user-specific data, allowing precise control of fluid speed, direction, and temperature to achieve a uniform cold-induced thermal shock response across the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cryotherapy devices use fixed temperature and coolant flow parameters, then the treatment can be delivered to all patients uniformly, but individual variations in cold tolerance and sensitivity cannot be accommodated, leading to inconsistent thermal shock responses and potential cold injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of coolant flow parameters by equipping the cryotherapy device with multiple fluid circulation units that can independently adjust flow speed and direction. The system transitions from static, fixed parameters to dynamic, real-time adjustable parameters, allowing the treatment to adapt to individual patient responses during the session. This is achieved through variable speed pumps and adjustable nozzle orientations that respond to temperature sensor feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback control system using temperature sensors positioned at multiple locations within the cryocabin to monitor skin temperature in real-time. The sensor data feeds back to the control system, which automatically adjusts coolant flow parameters to maintain optimal thermal shock conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures consistent therapeutic effects while preventing over-cooling of sensitive areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cryogenic liquid is blown over the patient's body using compressed air or evaporation pressure, then the cooling effect can be achieved, but poor adjustability of treatment parameters such as temperature, velocity and direction of coolant flow results in inconsistent thermal responses
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual adjustment mechanisms with automated dynamic control. Multiple fluid circulation units with variable speed motors allow continuous adjustment of coolant flow velocity, while adjustable nozzles enable real-time modification of flow direction. This dynamic system eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration during treatment sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment systems with automated electronic control. Instead of requiring operators to manually adjust valves, pumps, and nozzle orientations, the system uses electronic controllers that automatically regulate coolant flow parameters based on sensor feedback, simplifying operation while enhancing adjustability.
3Temperature
If electric cooling aggregates are used to cool air to below -100 degrees Celsius, then the required cryotherapeutic effect can be achieved, but the cooling power of most devices is insufficient for generating the cold-induced thermal shock response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cryogenic liquid as an intermediary cooling medium to achieve the required extreme temperatures. Instead of relying solely on electric cooling aggregates that struggle to reach below -100°C, the system uses cryogenic liquid (such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide) that naturally exists at these temperatures. The cryogenic liquid is then distributed through the fluid circulation units to achieve the necessary thermal shock effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the phase transition properties of cryogenic liquids. By controlling the evaporation and boiling of the cryogenic liquid within the circulation system, the device can maintain and distribute extreme cold temperatures efficiently. The phase change from liquid to gas provides intense cooling capability that electric aggregates alone cannot achieve.
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 ensures consistent therapeutic effects by personalizing coolant flow parameters, avoiding excessive cooling of sensitive areas while ensuring adequate treatment for less sensitive regions, thus enhancing treatment efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Cryotherapy treatment aims at inducing, in the persons' skin and an underlying (soft) tissue, a thermal (cold) shock response
Implementation Method 2
intake and recirculation of said cooling fluid by fluid circulation units, which further return recirculated cooling fluid inside said cabin
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The invention pertains to a method for operating a cryocabin arrangement 100 with an open-top cabin 10, a cooling unit 20 and a number of fluid circulation units 30. The method comprises receiving user-specific data comprising at least temperature indications measureable, by a number of sensor devices, at skin surface of the user upon delivery of cooling fluid 201 into the cabin via the cooling unit followed by intake and recirculation of said cooling fluid by fluid circulation units, which further return recirculated cooling fluid 301 inside said cabin, and based on said user-specific data, selectively adjusting distribution of said cooling fluid 201, 301 inside the cabin, in terms of at least speed and/or direction of a fluidic flow, to a predetermined level during an operation cycle.