Cryotherapy Heat Exchanger Unit for Sterile Fluid Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryotherapy systems face challenges in accurately controlling the flow rate and temperature of the working fluid, particularly due to the need for inline aseptic medical filtering, which results in high pressures and is not economically or practically feasible for high-quality, disposable devices.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a heat exchanger unit with a first chamber for sterile liquid and a second chamber for cooling, where the sterile liquid is cooled by a fluid coolant, and a compressible bag container that reduces in volume under pressure to supply sterile fluid to a catheter, allowing for controlled temperature and flow rate without the need for inline filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inline aseptic medical filtering is used to ensure sterility of working fluid, then sterility is improved, but pressure increases and flow rate control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inline filter from the fluid path and instead uses a pre-filled sterile reservoir that is sealed until use. This extracts the filtering function from the flow path, eliminating the pressure drop caused by the filter while maintaining sterility through the sealed reservoir design.
Solution Approach 2:
The working fluid is pre-sterilized and pre-filled into the reservoir before use. This preliminary action of sterilization and sealing eliminates the need for inline filtering during operation, thereby avoiding the pressure increase that would result from using an inline filter.
2Reliability
If inline aseptic medical filtering is used to ensure sterility of working fluid, then sterility is improved, but flow rate control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the inline filter from the fluid path, the patent eliminates the flow resistance and pressure drop that the filter introduces. This allows for precise control of the working fluid flow rate without the interference of filter-induced flow restrictions.
3Reliability
If high pressure is used to force open critically stenosed calcified vessels, then angioplasty effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for high-pressure capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the working fluid reservoir and the pressurization system into an integrated disposable catheter assembly. This merging eliminates the need for complex external high-pressure systems, as the self-contained design includes all necessary components for delivering high pressure to the balloon.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable catheter system that is pre-filled with working fluid and designed for single use. This disposable approach eliminates the need for complex sterilization and maintenance of reusable high-pressure systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the capability to deliver high pressures for angioplasty.
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 provides a sterile working fluid at a controlled temperature and flow rate, reducing the pressure required and ensuring the fluid's sterility, thus improving the efficiency and safety of cryotherapy procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the first chamber is arranged to be in thermal conductivity with the second chamber such that, in use, the contents of the first chamber are cooled by the cooler of the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
A refrigerant is used to expand a balloon into contact with a target. The temperatures used in treating such calcified highly stenosed blood vessels usually range from −10° C. to −20° C.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for cooling a sterile liquid for use in cryotherapy, the apparatus comprising: a first chamber (202) adapted to receive a removable container (201) of sterile liquid and a fluid port for receiving a fluid for applying, in use, pressure to a received removable container (201); and a second chamber (203) comprising a cooler; wherein the first chamber (202) is arranged to be in thermal conductivity with the second chamber (203) such that, in use, the contents of the first chamber (202) are cooled by the cooler of the second chamber (203). Advantageously, embodiments provide a system, heat exchanger unit within the system and method for supplying a sterilised working fluid to a catheter system for cryotherapy, the working fluid being supplied at a desired and easily controllable temperature and flow rate.