Closed-loop cryosurgery system with fluid recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryosurgical systems are open-loop, leading to waste and increased costs due to continuous depletion of cryofluid and pressure drops across components, making them inefficient for cryosurgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system that recirculates cryofluid at cryogenic temperatures, using a pump, heat exchanger, and flow control devices to maintain nominal pressure and enable selective use of cryoneedles, with an optional recuperator for thermal energy transfer between sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If open-loop systems are used with high pressure cryofluid flow, then cryotherapy can be provided, but substantial pressure drops occur and cryofluid is depleted requiring frequent reservoir replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop system where exhaust cryofluid is captured and recovered instead of being discarded. The system includes an exhaust cryofluid capture chamber that collects used cryofluid and returns it to the reservoir, enabling continuous operation without frequent reservoir replacement and eliminating cryofluid waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop system maintains continuous circulation of cryofluid through the system. The pump continuously circulates cryofluid from the reservoir through the cryoneedles and back via the capture chamber, eliminating interruptions for reservoir replacement and enabling uninterrupted cryotherapy procedures.
2Ease of operation
If open-loop systems operate with high pressure cryofluid, then cryotherapy is delivered, but substantial pressure drops occur across components
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pressure sensors positioned at strategic locations within the closed-loop circuit to monitor pressure levels. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of pressure drops and allows for system adjustments to maintain optimal operating pressure, ensuring consistent cryotherapy delivery without substantial pressure losses.
3Reliability
If extra reservoirs are kept on hand for replacement, then continuous operation is ensured, but cost and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding partially depleted reservoirs and replacing them with full ones, the system recovers and reuses exhaust cryofluid through the capture chamber. This eliminates the need for multiple reservoirs and reduces operational costs by maximizing the utilization of each unit of cryofluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop system with automatic capture and return functionality operates autonomously, continuously replenishing the reservoir from captured exhaust cryofluid without requiring manual intervention or multiple reservoirs, thereby reducing operational costs while ensuring continuous operation.
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 system minimizes cryofluid waste, reduces operational costs, and maintains consistent pressure, allowing for efficient and continuous cryotherapy without the need for frequent reservoir replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger coupled to a heat sink for cooling the cryofluid in the closed-loop flow path to cryogenic temperatures
Implementation Method 2
A pump circulates the cryofluid in the closed-loop flow path
Implementation Method 3
one or more flow control devices for selectively flow connecting or flow disconnecting at least one of the cryoneedles to the closed-loop flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
A closed-loop system for cryosurgery is provided. The system comprises: a closed-loop flow path for a cryofluid at cryogenic temperatures, said closed-loop flow path having a nominal pressure throughout and including a first section and a second section; a pump positioned in the second section of the closed-loop flow path for circulating said cryofluid in said closed-loop flow path; a heat exchanger coupled to a heat sink and positioned in the first section of the closed-loop flow path for cooling said cryofluid in the first section of the closed-loop flow path to cryogenic temperatures; a recuperator in said closed-loop flow path, the recuperator positioned between the first section and the second section, said recuperator configured for transferring thermal energy between said cryofluid in said second section and said cryofluid at cryogenic temperatures in said first section, the second section having an operating temperature substantially greater than cryogenic temperatures; one or more cryoneedles positioned in the first section of the closed-loop flow path, each cryoneedle configured to provide a cryotherapy; and one or more flow control devices positioned in the second section of the closed-loop flow path, each flow control device configured for selectively enabling and disabling a flow of said cryofluid at cryogenic temperatures between said closed-loop flow path and one or more of the cryoneedles.