Cryoprobe Internal Warming Fluid Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryosurgical catheters face challenges in extended procedure times due to the adherence of the thermally-transmissive region to heart tissue, requiring manual application and suction of warm saline to release it, which prolongs anesthesia time and increases patient risk.
Innovation Solution
A medical device system with a thermally-transmissive region that includes separate fluid supply lines for cryogenic and warming fluids, and an exhaust line, allowing for sequential circulation of cryogenic fluid for freezing and warming fluid for thawing, potentially incorporating laser light emitting elements for controlled warming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual application of warm saline is used to release the thermally-transmissive region from adhered tissue, then the catheter can be detached from the tissue, but the procedure time is extended and patient risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system performs self-warming through its own integrated warming fluid circulation system. The warming fluid is delivered through the exhaust line that already exists in the catheter structure, allowing the catheter to thaw and detach from tissue autonomously without requiring external manual intervention with warm saline irrigation.
Solution Approach 2:
A warming fluid (such as saline or other appropriate fluid) is introduced as an intermediary substance through the exhaust line to transfer thermal energy to the thermally-transmissive region. This intermediary fluid facilitates heat transfer from the catheter interior to the adhered tissue interface, enabling controlled thawing and detachment.
2Ease of operation
If manual suction of excess fluid is performed after warm saline application, then the surgical site can be cleared, but the procedure time is further extended
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system autonomously manages fluid removal through its integrated exhaust line, which is designed to evacuate fluids from the thermally-transmissive region. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate manual suction steps to clear the surgical site after warming.
3Device complexity
If the catheter structure is simplified without internal warming capability, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to quickly thaw and detach from tissue is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust line, originally designed for fluid evacuation during cryosurgical procedures, is repurposed to serve a dual function by delivering warming fluid to the thermally-transmissive region. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to perform both waste fluid removal and active warming, avoiding the need for separate warming system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The warming fluid delivery system is merged with the existing exhaust line infrastructure of the catheter. By combining the warming function with the already-present fluid management pathway, the design achieves rapid thawing capability without adding separate, complex warming system 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 quicker and safer thawing of the thermally-transmissive region, reducing procedure time and minimizing patient risk by providing an internal source of warming fluid and controlled warming mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
by using Joule-Thomson expansion of the cooling gas in the thermally-transmissive region
Implementation Method 2
The warming fluid can be any fluid capable of warming the thermally-transmissive region when circulated therein
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device including elongate probe defining proximal and distal ends and a thermally-transmissive region at its distal end, the elongate probe including a first fluid supply line in fluid communication with the thermally-transmissive region. A second fluid supply line is provided in fluid communication with the thermally-transmissive region, the second fluid supply line being connected to the elongate probe separately from the first fluid supply line. An exhaust line in fluid communication with the first and second fluid supply lines.