Cryoprobe Coupling System for Safe Gas Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryosurgical devices face challenges in safely operating flexible cryoprobes due to potential gas leaks and pressure buildup, leading to unsafe working conditions and malfunctions, especially when external hoses are not fully closed, risking exceeding workplace gas concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A cryosurgical device with a probe coupling system that includes a socket and plug design with separate return and supply flow conduits, allowing for safe connection of both rigid and flexible probes without external diversion of gas flow, ensuring correct gas disposal and preventing pressure buildup through valve control for rigid probes and valve-less disposal for flexible probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible cryoprobes are used with external hoses for gas diversion, then safety against pressure buildup is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential gas leaks and incomplete closure of external connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the gas diversion function directly into the probe structure by incorporating a return flow valve within the probe body itself, eliminating the need for external hoses and connections. This merging of functions ensures that the gas diversion capability is inherently part of the probe, preventing gas leaks while maintaining safety against pressure buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
The return flow valve acts as an intermediary component within the probe that mediates the gas flow between the cooling gas supply and the discharge. This internal valve mechanism ensures controlled gas diversion without requiring external connections, thereby preventing gas leaks while maintaining pressure safety.
2Ease of operation
If rigid probes with return flow valves are used, then control over gas disposal is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex valve management and external hose connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the return flow valve and gas disposal control directly into the probe structure, eliminating the need for separate external hose connections and complex valve management systems. This integration simplifies the overall system while maintaining precise control over gas disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is designed to be self-sufficient with the return flow valve integrated into its structure, allowing it to manage its own gas disposal without requiring external assistance or complex external connections. The probe automatically handles gas flow control and disposal internally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate return flow conduits are provided for different probes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple conduits and socket configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the socket with multiple return flow conduits that can accommodate different probe types (rigid and flexible) with different backflow pressure requirements. The socket structure itself provides universal compatibility by offering multiple conduit options, allowing different probes to be connected without requiring complex external adaptation components.
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
Enables safe and reliable operation of both rigid and flexible cryoprobes, preventing gas leaks and pressure issues, ensuring correct gas flow and disposal, and reducing the risk of exceeding workplace gas concentrations, thus enhancing operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
One of these is based on the Joule-Thomson effect, wherein the atoms or molecules of a gas expanding below the inversion temperature work against the mutual attraction so that the gas loses internal energy, and therefore cools down.
Implementation Method 2
It is advantageous to simply reverse the Joule-Thomson effect, meaning the gas is compressed below the inversion temperature.
Data Source
AI summary
A cryosurgical device, with a control for the supply and/or removal of a coolant gas to a cryoprobe via a return flow or a supply flow. The device has at least one socket for the attachment of a rigid cryoprobe and a flexible cryoprobe. The socket and the plugs of the cryoprobes each form probe couplings. The configuration of the cryosurgical device allows both rigid and flexible cryoprobes to be automatically connected to the appropriate return flow conduit, independently of the level of knowledge of operating personnel.