Cryolipolysis Probe for Reducing Subcutaneous Fat Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for achieving percutaneous access to deep blood vessels are hindered by the presence of a thick layer of subcutaneous fat, making it difficult to reach vessels located more than 5 mm below the skin surface with conventional needles.
Innovation Solution
The development of devices and systems that utilize a subcutaneous probe with a coolant system to cool adipose tissue, creating a depression and reducing the fat layer, thereby facilitating access to deeper blood vessels. These systems include a cooling member with a fluidic channel, a cooling subsystem, and a control subsystem to manage coolant temperature and flow, along with additional components like insulators, vasoconstrictors, and tissue agitators to enhance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional needles are used to access blood vessels, then the procedure is simple and direct, but the needle cannot reach vessels located more than 5 mm below the skin surface due to the thick subcutaneous fat layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by cooling and reducing the subcutaneous adipose tissue layer before performing the vascular access procedure. The cooling device is positioned over the target vessel and cooled for a period (e.g., 30 minutes) to shrink the fat layer, thereby creating a thinner pathway for subsequent needle insertion and enabling access to deeper vessels that would otherwise be unreachable
2Length of moving object
If the subcutaneous fat layer is cooled to reduce its thickness, then percutaneous access to deep vessels is improved, but the cooling process requires additional time and equipment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary cooling device that translates between the available external cooling resources and the target adipose tissue. The device includes a cooling element with thermal contact with the target tissue, insulated from surrounding tissues, and connected to a coolant source. This intermediary structure enables controlled cooling of the fat layer without requiring complex surgical intervention or specialized equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the overall vascular access procedure, separating it as an independent preparatory step. The cooling device can be applied externally without incision or complex implantation, allowing the fat reduction to be achieved through a simple, standalone cooling application before the actual access procedure
3Length of moving object
If the subcutaneous fat layer is cooled to create a depression, then the blood vessel is brought closer to the skin surface, but the cooling process may affect surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the cooling device to concentrate cooling effects specifically on the subcutaneous adipose tissue layer while minimizing impact on surrounding tissues. The cooling element is positioned and insulated to target only the fat layer between the skin surface and the blood vessel, creating a localized cooling zone that spares deeper vessels and superficial skin structures from excessive cooling
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 cooling process effectively reduces the adipose tissue layer, bringing the blood vessel closer to the skin surface, improving percutaneous access and enabling more efficient hemodialysis treatments by creating a controlled environment for vascular access.
Implementation Method 1
coolant circulating within the treatment segment to cool a selected portion of adipose tissue
Implementation Method 2
a valve coupled to the return lumen to control a rate of a phase transformation of the coolant across the porous wall
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are cryolipolysis devices, systems, and methods for facilitating percutaneous access to a target blood vessel by performing cryolipolysis on subcutaneous adipose tissue obscuring the target blood vessel (e.g., a vessel used for hemodialysis treatment). Generally, the devices include a cooling member carrying a coolant that cools a selected portion of adipose tissue overlying the target blood vessel to reduce the selected portion of adipose tissue, thereby forming a depression in the adipose tissue and allowing the target blood vessel closer to the surface of the skin. In some variations, the cooling member is placed subcutaneously to directly cool the selected portion of adipose tissue. In other variations, the cooling member is placed external to the patient to indirectly cool the selected portion of adipose tissue through the skin.