Double-Layer Cryogenic Balloon Preventing Ice Jams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical treatments for stenosis, such as balloon inflation and cryotherapy, are cumbersome and incomplete, as existing inflatable balloons lack cryogenic functions and can cause complications like ice jams and poor cryogenic effects due to residual liquids, while standalone cryogenic balloons cannot achieve high-pressure inflation.
Innovation Solution
A double-layer cryogenic inflatable balloon design that separates liquid and refrigerant spaces using an inflatable balloon assembly and a cryogenic balloon assembly, allowing for simultaneous balloon inflation and cryotherapy with a refrigerant gas, preventing ice jams and improving treatment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cryogenic structure is simply added into the existing inflatable balloon, then the balloon can perform both inflation and cryotherapy functions, but residual liquids in the balloons and gas inlet pipes can cause ice jams that can occur easily during cryotherapy
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon system is divided into two independent chambers: an inflatable balloon chamber for saline injection and a cryogenic balloon chamber for refrigerant gas delivery. This segmentation prevents residual liquids in one chamber from interfering with cryogenic operations in the other chamber, eliminating the ice jam risk while maintaining dual functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogenic balloon is nested inside the inflatable balloon, with the cryogenic balloon assembly positioned within the balloon assembly. This nested configuration allows both functions to be integrated in a single device while maintaining separate fluid pathways, preventing cross-contamination between saline and refrigerant gas.
2Ease of operation
If the existing inflatable balloon is used for treatment, then the operation is simple and long-term complications are fewer, but the resulted effects are not long-lasting and the recurrence is easy to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges balloon inflation function with cryotherapy function into a single integrated system. The inflatable balloon performs mechanical dilation while the nested cryogenic balloon delivers cryogenic treatment to lesions, combining two therapeutic modalities that when used separately require multiple procedures into one unified treatment that achieves both immediate dilation and long-term lesion destruction.
3Temperature
If a cryogenic balloon assembly is used, then the cryogenic treatment can be performed, but the inflation under high pressure cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pressure-bearing function into the outer inflatable balloon designed for high-pressure saline injection, while the inner cryogenic balloon is designed for low-pressure refrigerant gas delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific pressure requirements, enabling both high-pressure inflation and cryogenic treatment to function effectively.
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 double-layer balloon design enables safe and effective liquid-filling inflation and cryogenic treatment, preventing blockages and enhancing treatment outcomes by maintaining a clear separation of liquid and refrigerant spaces, thus improving the safety and completeness of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
an inflation assembly, wherein the inflation assembly is used to input a refrigerant gas into the cryogenic balloon through the gas inlet chamber and the gas inlet pipe
Implementation Method 2
the cryogenic balloon being located in the inflatable balloon... the cryogenic treatment and the balloon inflation can be achieved separately and simultaneously
Implementation Method 3
The double-layer balloon design enables safe and effective liquid-filling inflation and cryogenic treatment, preventing blockages and enhancing treatment outcomes by maintaining a clear separation of liquid and refrigerant spaces
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a double-layer cryogenic inflatable balloon including an inflatable balloon assembly and a cryogenic balloon assembly. The inflatable balloon assembly includes an inflatable balloon, an outer catheter and a liquid-filling cavity provided with a liquid-filling chamber, the inflatable balloon, the outer catheter and the liquid-filling cavity being communicated with each other. The cryogenic balloon assembly includes a cryogenic balloon, an inner catheter and a fluid-diverting cavity provided with a gas return chamber as well as a gas inlet pipe and an inflation assembly, the cryogenic balloon, the inner catheter and the fluid-diverting cavity being communicated with each other, wherein the cryogenic balloon is located in the inflatable balloon, and the inner catheter is located in the outer catheter. The fluid-diverting cavity is further provided with a gas return channel, a liquid-filling channel, and a cork chamber, wherein the gas return channel has one end communicated with the gas return chamber and the other end communicated with the cork chamber. The liquid-filling channel has one end communicated with the cork chamber and the other end communicated with the liquid-filling chamber. The cork chamber is communicated with a gas return joint, and is internally provided with an adjustment structure. The fluid-diverting cavity is provided with a gas inlet chamber, and the gas inlet pipe penetrates through the cryogenic balloon, the inner catheter and the fluid-diverting cavity, the gas inlet pipe having one end located in the cryogenic balloon and the other end communicated with the gas inlet chamber. The gas inlet chamber is communicated with the inflation assembly, and the inflation assembly is used to input a refrigerant gas into the cryogenic balloon through a pipe.