Cryogenic Cooling Needle Probe for Occipital Neuralgia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for occipital neuralgia, a condition characterized by chronic pain in the upper neck and head, often rely on symptomatic relief and may not effectively address the underlying nerve irritation, with limited options for long-term management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a cryogenic cooling needle probe with a cooling fluid supply and a controller to implement a treatment algorithm, which delivers cryogenic cooling to the occipital nerve to mitigate pain, potentially combined with heating elements to prevent skin damage and enhance treatment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional symptomatic treatments (massage, rest, anti-inflammatory medications) are used, then temporary pain relief is achieved, but the underlying nerve irritation is not effectively addressed and long-term management is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional symptomatic treatments to cryogenic cooling treatment. The cooling needle probe delivers controlled cold temperatures to the occipital nerve, fundamentally changing the treatment parameter from medical management to physical therapy. This cryogenic approach directly addresses the underlying nerve irritation by inducing apoptosis and limiting inflammation, providing both immediate and long-term pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions in the cooling fluid system. The cooling fluid undergoes phase change from liquid to vapor within the needle lumen, generating cold gas that effectively cools the target tissue. This phase transition mechanism enables efficient heat transfer from the occipital nerve to the cooling fluid, achieving sustained cryogenic cooling for prolonged pain relief.
2Reliability
If cryogenic cooling is applied to the occipital nerve, then underlying nerve irritation is addressed and long-term relief is provided, but the procedure complexity increases with specialized equipment and control algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling needle probe serves multiple functions: it delivers cryogenic cooling to the occipital nerve, provides real-time temperature monitoring, and can be controlled through automated algorithms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate diagnostic and treatment devices, thereby managing complexity while achieving sustainable pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through temperature monitoring and control algorithms that adjust cooling based on real-time data. This closed-loop control ensures safe and effective treatment while simplifying operation, as the system automatically regulates cooling parameters without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If cooling fluid is directed into the needle lumen to vaporize and provide cooling, then the occipital neuralgia is mitigated through tissue remodeling, but the risk of skin damage increases without protective measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing protective measures before skin damage can occur. Heating elements are positioned to preemptively warm the skin surface, creating a thermal barrier that prevents cold injury. This anticipatory protection allows aggressive cooling of the nerve while safeguarding the skin from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes local quality by applying different temperature zones to different tissues. The occipital nerve receives intensive cryogenic cooling for effective treatment, while the overlying skin receives protective heating. This spatial differentiation of thermal treatment ensures selective cooling of the target nerve without compromising skin integrity.
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 cryogenic treatment effectively remodels the occipital nerve tissue, providing relief from chronic pain by inducing apoptosis and limiting inflammation, offering a controlled and potentially long-lasting solution for occipital neuralgia.
Implementation Method 1
liquid from the cooling flow vaporizes within the needle lumen to provide cooling to the nerve
Implementation Method 2
A system and method utilizing a cryogenic cooling needle probe with a cooling fluid supply
Implementation Method 3
a heating element coupled with a proximal portion of the needle, and the heating element can be to deliver heating phases to the skin of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A system for alleviating occipital neuralgia. The system has a needle probe having at least one needle. The at least one needle has a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen therebetween, the needle configured for insertion proximate to a location of the occipital nerve. A cooling fluid supply lumen extends distally within the needle lumen to a distal portion of the needle lumen. A cooling fluid source is coupled to the cooling fluid supply lumen to direct cooling fluid flow into the needle lumen. A controller that has at least one processor configured implements an occipital neuralgia treatment algorithm for controlling the cooling fluid source so that liquid from the cooling flow vaporizes within the needle lumen to provide a treatment phase to location of the occipital nerve such that the occipital neuralgia is mitigated.