Expandable Serpentine Cooling Device for Glioblastoma Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for glioblastomas, including surgical removal followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, fail to effectively prevent local recurrence of tumors due to the infiltrating nature of glioblastomas, and existing cooling devices provide global rather than localized cooling.
Innovation Solution
A localized cooling device with an expandable element that can be implanted in the excision cavity, featuring a serpentine conduit fluidic circuit for uniform cooling and the option to inject therapeutic agents, utilizing a Peltier effect module for temperature control, and designed for long-term implantation to minimize medical risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If global cooling devices are used to cool the brain, then the entire brain is cooled, but localized treatment of the excision cavity cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular components: an expandable element with integrated serpentine conduits for local cooling, and a separate control unit with pump assembly. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be localized to the excision cavity while maintaining system control externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements local cooling by positioning cooling conduits specifically within the excision cavity using an expandable element that conforms to the cavity shape. The serpentine conduits are integrated into the expandable element wall, ensuring cooling fluid flows only where needed - at the excision site - rather than cooling the entire brain.
2Reliability
If cooling is delayed, then surgical risks are reduced, but tumor recurrence risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is designed to be implanted immediately after surgery, with the expandable element positioned in the excision cavity before the patient leaves the operating room. The cooling fluid circulation is activated promptly, ensuring cooling begins as soon as possible to prevent tumor recurrence while allowing the surgical site to be prepared in advance.
3Temperature
If an expandable element with serpentine conduit is used, then localized cooling is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The serpentine cooling conduits are integrated directly into the wall of the expandable element, merging the cooling function with the structural component. This integration eliminates the need for separate external conduits and reduces the number of connections required, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining uniform cooling distribution through the serpentine path.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support in the excision cavity, acts as a cooling conduit carrier, and distributes cooling fluid uniformly through its wall. The serpentine conduits are embedded within the expandable element material, allowing one component to fulfill multiple roles and reducing overall device complexity.
4Area of stationary object
If the expandable element is made to conform to cavity shape, then cooling coverage is maximized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable element is designed with dynamic expansion capability, allowing it to be deployed in different configurations to match the specific geometry of the excision cavity. This dynamic adaptation enables the element to conform to various cavity shapes without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision for each specific cavity configuration.
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 achieves effective localized cooling of the excision cavity, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and migration, potentially delaying or preventing tumor recurrence, while being compatible with daily life and minimizing infection risks.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a Peltier effect module for temperature control
Implementation Method 2
a serpentine conduit, belonging to the fluidic circuit and attached to said wall, forming said wall of the element expandable, or housed in the internal cavity of the expandable element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a localized cooling device (1) comprising an expandable element intended to occupy the volume of an excision cavity following the surgical removal of a tumor in a living being, said expandable element (2) having an external wall intended to come into contact at least partially with the walls of the cavity, the device comprising: - A cooling unit (3) comprising a fluidic circuit (34) in which a cooling fluid can circulate, a cooling module (30) cooperating with said fluidic circuit and at least one pumping assembly (32) connected to said fluidic circuit to circulate the fluid in said fluidic circuit (34), - Said expandable element (2) comprising an internal cavity (20) delimited by a wall (21), - A serpentine conduit (22), belonging to the fluidic circuit and arranged to cooperate with said expandable element (2).