Single-Lumen Cryoprobe with Joule-Thomson Cooling and Electrical Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryoprobe systems require dual gas supply systems for heating and cooling, which are cumbersome and difficult to miniaturize due to the need for multiple gas input and exhaust lines, and electrical resistance heating interferes with Joule-Thomson cooling processes.
Innovation Solution
A cryoprobe with an operating tip that uses Joule-Thomson cooling and electrical resistance heating, where a single gas input lumen delivers high-pressure gas for cooling and low-pressure gas for heating, and an electrical resistance heating element heats the gas flowing through the probe without interfering with the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual gas supply system is used for heating and cooling, then both heating and cooling functions are achieved, but the device complexity and number of gas lines increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is designed to serve dual purposes: high-pressure gas supply enables Joule-Thomson cooling, while the same system can provide low-pressure gas for electrical resistance heating. This multi-functional design allows a single gas supply infrastructure to support both heating and cooling operations without requiring separate dedicated lines for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the heating and cooling gas supply pathways into a unified system architecture. The gas input lumen and control mechanisms are merged into a single integrated structure that can selectively deliver high-pressure gas for cooling or low-pressure gas for heating, thereby reducing the overall number of separate components and connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gas input and exhaust lines are used, then heating and cooling capabilities are provided, but the probe size and miniaturization are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gas pathways are merged into a single integrated gas input lumen that can selectively deliver high-pressure gas for cooling or low-pressure gas for heating. This consolidation dramatically reduces the number of separate tubes and channels required within the probe structure, enabling significant miniaturization while preserving both heating and cooling functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas supply system is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform both cooling (via high-pressure Joule-Thomson expansion) and heating (via low-pressure electrical resistance heating support) operations through a single unified infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated lines and reducing overall probe volume.
3Temperature
If electrical resistance heating is used, then probe heating is achieved, but interference with Joule-Thomson cooling process occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply and heating functions are segmented into distinct operational modes with clear separation of pressure levels and control pathways. High-pressure gas flow for Joule-Thomson cooling and low-pressure gas flow for electrical resistance heating are controlled through separate valve mechanisms and pressure regulators, ensuring that the two processes do not interfere with each other when activated simultaneously or sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters including gas pressure, flow rate, and electrical power delivery based on the selected mode (cooling or heating). This dynamic control ensures optimal performance of whichever function is active while preventing interference with the other function when it is not in use, maintaining reliability of both processes.
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 fast and efficient heating and cooling without the need for a dual gas supply system, allowing for rapid switching between modes and maintaining effective cryoablation capabilities while minimizing probe size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the treatment heads of the inserted cryoprobes sufficiently to cause the tissues surrounding the treatment heads to reach cryoablation temperatures, typically below about −40° C.
Implementation Method 2
an electrical resistance heating element operable to heat the operating tip
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is of device, system, and method for cooling and heating an operating tip of a cryoprobe using a single source of compressed gas. Cooling of the operating tip is effected by Joule-Thomson expansion of a high-pressure cooling gas through a Joule-Thomson orifice into an expansion chamber. Heating of the operating tip is effected by electrical resistance heating. In preferred embodiments, heating of the operating tip is effected by electrical resistance heating of low-pressure gas flowing towards the operating tip. Preferably, gas from a single gas source is supplied to the probe during both cooling and heating phases, a cooling gas being supplied at high pressure when used for cooling and at low pressure when used for heating. Low-pressure gas supplied during the heating phase is heated as it flows towards the operating tip, preferably by electrical resistance heating within the body of the probe. A single gas input lumen is used during both cooling and heating phases to transport gas into the probe, and a single gas exhaust lumen is used during both cooling and heating phases to conduct gas out of the probe.