Cryogenic Applicator Porous Tip Controlled Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin treatment methods for conditions like warts, moles, and age spots are either slow, costly, painful, or risk tissue damage due to inadequate control over cryogenic fluid application, leading to inefficiencies and potential harm.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic fluid applicator with a reservoir, nozzle, actuatable valve, and porous material that allows controlled and continuous delivery of cryogenic fluid to the skin, ensuring efficient and safe treatment by maintaining a predetermined distance and using a Venturi tube for effective liquid-gas dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryogenic fluid is applied to the skin for treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous tip acts as an intermediary between the cryogenic fluid and the skin, providing controlled delivery of the cooling agent. The porous structure allows gradual release and distribution of the cryogenic fluid, preventing direct concentrated contact that would cause tissue damage while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip is made of porous material that enables controlled release of cryogenic fluid through its porous structure. This porous design allows the fluid to be distributed evenly across the treatment area, preventing localized overheating or excessive cooling that could damage tissue.
2Reliability
If cryogenic fluid application is extended to ensure complete treatment, then treatment completeness is improved, but duration of cooling increases causing excessive cooling of surrounding healthy tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The porous tip provides localized controlled delivery of cryogenic fluid precisely where needed. The porous structure ensures the cooling effect is concentrated at the treatment site rather than spreading to surrounding healthy tissue, allowing extended treatment duration without damaging adjacent areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous tip serves as a mediator that controls the spatial distribution and temporal delivery of cryogenic fluid, enabling complete treatment of the target area while protecting surrounding healthy tissue from excessive cooling through its porous release mechanism.
3Speed
If cryogenic fluid is dispensed directly onto skin, then application speed is improved, but control over application precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The porous tip enables rapid yet controlled dispensing of cryogenic fluid through its porous structure. The porous material allows quick release of the fluid while simultaneously providing precise control over where the fluid is applied, combining speed with precision in the application process.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous tip acts as an intermediary delivery mechanism that maintains high application speed while improving precision. The porous structure controls the fluid release pattern, ensuring accurate placement of cryogenic fluid on the target area without sacrificing application velocity.
4Reliability
If continuous application of cryogenic fluid is used, then treatment efficacy is improved, but risk of excessive cooling and tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous tip enables continuous application of cryogenic fluid while preventing excessive cooling through its porous release mechanism. The porous structure naturally regulates the flow and distribution of the fluid, maintaining treatment efficacy over extended periods without causing tissue damage from accumulated cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous tip serves as a continuous delivery intermediary that modulates the cryogenic fluid release rate. This allows prolonged treatment with consistent therapeutic effect while the porous structure prevents dangerous accumulation of cooling that would lead to tissue damage.
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 applicator provides efficient and safe delivery of cryogenic fluid, enhancing treatment efficacy by maintaining a controlled temperature and minimizing tissue damage, allowing for continuous application and improved treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a porous material extending (in a longitudinal direction) at least between the open end of the nozzle and the skin contacting surface of the spacer
Implementation Method 2
the inlet comprises a Venturi tube having an entry cone for receiving gas phase from the container, the entry cone preferably being connected to a drawing tube that extends into the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator for applying cryogenic fluid to a treatment area is described, the applicator comprising: a reservoir (12) configured to contain a cryogenic fluid comprising a gas phase (G) and a liquid phase (L). A nozzle (20) extends from a proximal end arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir (12) to an open distal end (21) for application of fluid to a treatment area. An actuatable valve is provided to selectively allow a flow of cryogenic fluid from the reservoir (12) through the distal end of the nozzle (20). A spacer (14) extends distally beyond the distal end (21) of the nozzle (20), the spacer (14) comprising a skin contacting surface (14a) at its distal end. A porous material (16) is provided between the distal end (21) of the nozzle (20), at least between the open end of the nozzle and the skin contacting surface of the spacer.