Hemorrhoid Cooling Pack Thermal Gel Phase Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for treating hemorrhoids lack an effective cooling solution that can rapidly and consistently reduce the temperature of affected areas to provide therapeutic relief.
Innovation Solution
A cooling pack comprising a shell and thermal gel with high thermal capacity, cooled to below −15 degrees C, utilizing a combination of cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, polypropylene, witch hazel, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, and urea to form a flexible structure that maximizes heat transfer and evenly cools the hemorrhoid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling pack is used to treat hemorrhoids, then the temperature of the affected area is reduced providing therapeutic relief, but the cooling solution must be cooled to very low temperatures below −15 degrees C to achieve rapid and consistent therapeutic effect
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling pack utilizes phase transition of water to ice to achieve cooling. The gel pack contains water that freezes at approximately 0°C, providing a sustained cooling effect without requiring external refrigeration to extremely low temperatures. The phase change from liquid to solid releases latent heat of fusion, maintaining a consistent cooling temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling pack employs a composite gel structure combining water, gelatin, and other polymers to achieve both flexibility and thermal properties. This composite material allows the pack to be cooled to effective temperatures while maintaining a flexible, conformable structure that can be applied to the hemorrhoidal area.
2Productivity
If the cooling pack uses high thermal capacity material to rapidly cool the hemorrhoid, then the therapeutic effect is enhanced, but the device requires more complex material composition including multiple chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The gel pack uses a composite material system comprising water (70-90%), gelatin (5-20%), and additional polymers like polyacrylamide or carboxymethyl cellulose (1-10%). This composite provides high thermal capacity for rapid cooling while maintaining gel structure and flexibility. The multiple components work synergistically to achieve both thermal performance and structural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation allows adjustment of thermal capacity by varying the water-to-gelatin ratio and adding different polymer concentrations. By changing these parameters, the cooling rate and duration can be optimized without fundamentally altering the basic composite structure, simplifying the overall material system.
3Ease of operation
If the cooling pack is made flexible to conform to the hemorrhoid, then the therapeutic contact is improved, but the structural integrity becomes more difficult to maintain at very low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The gel composite maintains flexibility at low temperatures due to the amorphous structure of frozen gelatin and the presence of polymers that prevent crystallization. This composite structure remains pliable rather than brittle, allowing the pack to conform to body contours even when frozen solid, while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to hold its shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel pack is enclosed in a flexible outer shell or pouch made of materials like plastic or fabric that remain flexible at low temperatures. This shell protects the gel while allowing the pack to be handled and applied without breaking, maintaining both flexibility and structural integrity across the temperature range.
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 cooling pack effectively draws heat away from hemorrhoids, providing rapid and consistent therapeutic cooling through its high thermal capacity and flexible gel structure, enhancing treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal gel provides a heat exchange medium that rapidly cools the hemorrhoid when placed against the hemorrhoid
Implementation Method 2
The cooling pack for hemorrhoids is cooled below −15 degrees C. The thermal gel is a chemical with a high thermal capacity
Data Source
AI summary
The cooling pack for hemorrhoids is a medical device. The cooling pack for hemorrhoids is a therapeutic device. The cooling pack for hemorrhoids is adapted for use in the treatment of a hemorrhoid. The cooling pack for hemorrhoids is a thermal pack. The cooling pack for hemorrhoids is cooled below −15 degrees C. The cooling pack for hemorrhoids forms a therapeutic structure that is placed against the hemorrhoid while cold. The cooling pack for hemorrhoids comprises a shell and a thermal gel. The shell forms a containment structure that encloses the thermal gel. The thermal gel is a chemical with a high thermal capacity. The thermal gel provides a heat exchange medium that rapidly cools the hemorrhoid when placed against the hemorrhoid.