Cryoprobe Helical Conduit Insulation for Tissue Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cryogenic surgical devices cool unintended tissue areas, causing damage due to excessive cooling of proximal sections, and lack flexibility and a small cross-section, making them difficult to conform to varying tissue shapes and requiring excessive robotic system pressures.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a cryogenic device with a distal tip having a thermal application zone, an exhaust conduit, and a supply conduit that is helically extended around the exhaust conduit, with a deformable wrap to insulate and expose only the application zone, and actuators to vary the spacing between helices for enhanced flexibility and reduced cross-section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If bulky external insulative materials are used to insulate proximal sections, then tissue damage from unintended cooling is prevented, but device flexibility decreases and cross-section increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damage from unintended coolingVSAvoiddevice flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible insulating sleeve that can be selectively positioned around the cryogenic probe shaft. This thin-film approach provides necessary thermal insulation to prevent tissue damage while maintaining device flexibility and reducing cross-sectional dimensions compared to bulky traditional insulators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating structure is divided into segmented sections that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the insulator to conform to tissue contours while providing targeted insulation only where needed, preserving flexibility in non-insulated regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bulky external insulative materials are used to insulate proximal sections, then tissue damage from unintended cooling is prevented, but device cross-section increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damage from unintended coolingVSAvoiddevice cross-section

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating sleeve provides effective thermal insulation with minimal thickness, significantly reducing the cross-sectional area compared to bulky traditional insulators. The thin-film design allows the device to maintain a small profile while still preventing heat transfer to unintended tissue areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If conforming pressures are applied to make the device conform to tissue bends, then the device can adapt to tissue shapes, but pressures required exceed robotic surgical system capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to conform to tissue shapesVSAvoidconforming pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating sleeve and overall probe design allow the device to passively conform to tissue contours through its inherent flexibility without requiring excessive external pressure. The material properties enable adaptation to bends and curves within safe pressure limits achievable by robotic surgical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic flexibility that allows it to adapt to tissue shapes in real-time during insertion and positioning. The flexible structure can dynamically adjust to varying tissue geometries without requiring active pressure control beyond robotic system capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This configuration prevents unintended tissue cooling, enhances flexibility, and allows the device to conform to tissue shapes without excessive pressure, reducing the risk of damage and improving usability with robotic surgical systems.

Implementation Method 1

the supply conduit helically extending around at least a portion of the exhaust conduit... a deformable wrap to insulate and expose only the application zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a cryogenic probe closed at its distal end... for delivering cooling to one or more tissue locations... cool not only the application zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCryogenic cooling: Cryogenics

Implementation Method 3

an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the egress orifice... for discharging spent cryogenic fluid conveyed from the distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS20230067890A1cryoprobe

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 ATRICURE INC

AI summary

Cryogenic devices and methods of using and manufacturing cryogenic devices are disclosed. An exemplary cryogenic device may include an enclosed distal tip delineating a cavity in fluid communication with an egress orifice and an ingress orifice, where at least a portion of an exterior of the distal tip comprises a thermal application zone; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the egress orifice; a supply conduit in fluid communication with the ingress orifice, the supply conduit helically extending around at least a portion of the exhaust conduit; and/or a deformable wrap at least partially circumscribing the supply conduit and leaving exposed the thermal application zone.