Endocavity Thermal Control Device for Prostate Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal therapy methods for treating diseased tissues, such as prostate cancer, often result in the over-heating of adjacent non-diseased tissues and organs due to the finite spatial distribution of thermal energy, leading to unsafe temperature rises in healthy tissues like the rectum during procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endocavity thermal control device with an elongated body and a fluid circuit that includes a thermal window and an inflatable balloon, designed to be inserted into the rectum, allowing for controlled temperature management by circulating thermal fluid and positioning the thermal window adjacent to the prostate, thereby minimizing heat transfer to surrounding healthy tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal therapy is applied to treat diseased tissue, then the therapeutic effect on the target organ is improved, but the temperature of adjacent healthy tissues increases beyond safe limits
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal control device segments the thermal management function by introducing a separate cooling circuit independent from the heating elements. This allows the heating function (treating diseased tissue) and cooling function (protecting healthy tissue) to operate simultaneously but independently, resolving the contradiction between achieving therapeutic heating and preventing harmful overheating of adjacent healthy tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling fluid as an intermediary substance that absorbs excess heat from healthy tissues adjacent to the target organ. This cooling fluid circulates through dedicated channels, acting as a thermal mediator that transfers heat away from sensitive areas without interfering with the therapeutic heating of the diseased tissue, thus resolving the temperature conflict between target and non-target tissues.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cooling fluid is circulated to protect healthy tissues, then the temperature control of non-target tissues is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling circuit with the existing thermal therapy device structure by integrating cooling channels into the same applicator body that contains heating elements. This consolidation allows both heating and cooling functions to be delivered through a single integrated device rather than requiring separate independent systems, thereby improving temperature control of healthy tissues while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a heating device for therapeutic purposes and as a cooling device for protective purposes. The same applicator structure performs dual functions by incorporating both heating elements and cooling channels, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cooling equipment and thus reducing overall system complexity while achieving effective temperature management.
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 device effectively limits thermal dose and maintains safe temperature levels in non-target tissues, enhancing the safety and efficacy of thermal therapy by providing a controllable and configurable cooling profile, which can also be adapted for heating applications.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal window in thermal communication with the thermal fluid
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable balloon, designed to be inserted into the rectum
Data Source
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AI summary
An endocavity thermal control device (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) comprising: an elongated body having an insertable portion (301, 401, 701) for insertion into a rectum (110) of a patient and an external portion (303, 403, 703) that remains external to the rectum (110), wherein the insertable portion (301, 401, 701) includes a distal portion and a proximal portion disposed at a body angle (425) with respect to one another, the body angle (425) being an obtuse angle greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees; a fluid circuit (360, 625, 640) in the body that extends from the external portion (303, 403, 703) to the insertable portion (301, 401, 701), the fluid circuit (360, 625, 640) configured to circulate a thermal fluid into and out of the insertable portion (301, 401, 701); and a thermal window (320, 520, 620, 720) disposed on a surface of the insertable portion (301, 401, 701), the thermal window (320, 520, 620, 720) configured to be positioned adjacent to a prostate (100) when the device is inserted into the rectum (110), the thermal window (320, 520, 620, 720) in thermal communication with the thermal fluid.