Cerebrospinal Fluid Cooling via Solid Thermal Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inducing hypothermia to mitigate neurologic damage, such as systemic hypothermia devices, are associated with adverse side effects like bleeding, shivering, and immune suppression, while selective cooling devices are limited in efficacy and risk rupture or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A device using a biocompatible, solid thermally conductive material, such as metals or thermal diamond paste, coupled to a heat exchange apparatus, is applied to cerebrospinal fluid to selectively cool the nervous system through a catheter, optimizing heat dissipation and minimizing body damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If systemic hypothermia is induced to mitigate neurologic damage, then neuroprotective benefits are achieved, but adverse side effects such as bleeding, shivering, and immune suppression occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the hypothermia treatment by using separate cooling catheters for the brain and spinal cord, allowing selective regional cooling rather than systemic cooling. This enables neuroprotection in specific areas while avoiding the adverse side effects associated with whole-body hypothermia.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by inducing hypothermia only in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) rather than systemically. The cooling is localized to where it is most needed for neuroprotection, maintaining different temperature conditions in different body regions to achieve therapeutic benefits while minimizing harmful effects.
2Temperature
If circulating liquid is used for selective cooling of the nervous system, then cooling is achieved, but the method is limited by the freezing point of the liquid and risks rupture and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical system of circulating liquid (which has inherent risks of freezing, rupture, and contamination) with a solid-state thermoelectric cooling system. The Peltier device uses electrical current to directly generate cooling without requiring circulating fluids, thereby eliminating the risks associated with liquid circulation while maintaining effective cooling capability.
3Temperature
If cooling helmets or catheters with circulating cooled saline are used, then selective cooling is attempted, but efficacy is limited due to failure to consistently dissipate heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ineffective circulating saline system with a solid-state Peltier thermoelectric cooling device that directly extracts heat from the cerebrospinal fluid. This substitution provides more reliable and consistent heat dissipation without the limitations of liquid circulation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling catheter with Peltier device utilizes the body's own cerebrospinal fluid as the cooling medium, eliminating the need for external saline circulation systems. The device draws heat directly from the CSF and dissipates it through the thermoelectric element, providing self-contained cooling that is more reliable and easier to implement.
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 approach effectively cools the nervous system with reduced risk of adverse effects, providing neuroprotective benefits without systemic hypothermia's drawbacks, enhancing the safety and efficacy of neuroprotection in acute neuronal injuries.
Implementation Method 1
uses a solid thermally conductive material, coupled to a heat exchange apparatus, to cool surrounding CSF
Data Source
AI summary
A device for topical cooling of the nervous system via cooling of cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, using a solid thermally conductive material. The solid thermally conductive material is coupled to a heat exchange apparatus. The thermally conductive material may be coupled to any catheter that is used in existing clinical standard of care for acute neuronal injuries, such as catheters used to monitor and relieve intracranial pressure. The thermally conductive material is a biocompatible and solid material, for instance, metals such as steel, tungsten and titanium, and non-metallic materials such as thermal diamond paste.