Implantable Probe Thermoelectric Cooling Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling probes for brain tissue cooling suffer from suboptimal heat dissipation and energy efficiency, leading to thermal losses and increased medical risks, particularly when used for long-term implantation and deep brain cooling applications.
Innovation Solution
A probe with a thermoelectric cooling module and a heat transport device, featuring a flexible mechanical connection and biocompatible materials, utilizes arterial perfusion to efficiently remove heat from the cooled area, minimizing thermal hotspots and mechanical damage, while optimizing thermal conductivity and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling module is placed outside the skull with a heat pipe for cold transport, then heat dissipation is simplified, but thermal losses occur during heat transfer from the cold finger and very good thermal insulation along the probe is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling module from the external configuration and places it at the distal end of the probe inside the skull, eliminating the need for external heat dissipation infrastructure. This allows direct cooling at the target site while using the body's natural blood flow for heat removal, thereby reducing thermal losses during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces blood flow as an intermediary heat removal mechanism. Instead of requiring complex thermal insulation or external heat sinks, the blood circulation system naturally absorbs and transports heat away from the probe, solving the thermal management problem efficiently.
2Loss of energy
If a Peltier module is placed directly at the distal end with liquid cooling, then heat loss between module and cold finger is limited, but the solution becomes complex and bulky incompatible with long-term implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex liquid cooling infrastructure and replaces it with the body's natural blood flow system. The Peltier module remains at the distal end for efficient heat transfer to the cold finger, but heat dissipation is handled externally by circulation, simplifying the implantable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the body's own blood circulation system to perform the heat dissipation function that would otherwise require complex external cooling equipment. The blood flow automatically absorbs and transports heat away from the probe, providing a self-service cooling mechanism that is compact and suitable for long-term implantation.
3Productivity
If thermal insulation along the probe is very good to prevent heat loss, then cooling efficiency improves, but the probe structure becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thermal insulation requirement from the probe structure by moving the heat dissipation function to the blood circulation system. This eliminates the need for complex insulated probe designs, making the probe simpler to manufacture while maintaining high cooling efficiency through direct thermal coupling at the distal end.
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 solution enables effective, long-term, localized brain cooling with reduced thermal losses and medical risks, achieving efficient heat transfer and maintaining a stable temperature around the cooled area, thereby improving treatment outcomes for chronic brain conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric cooling module comprising a cold zone in contact with the cooling element and a hot zone
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer device having a first part in contact with the hot zone of the thermoelectric cooling module and a second part extending the first part towards the proximal end of the probe
Implementation Method 3
a second heat dissipating envelope arranged in contact with the second part of said heat transfer device, said second heat dissipating envelope having a thermal conductivity greater than that of the thermal separation envelope
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention relates to a probe (2) intended to be implanted, at least in part, in a living being, to cool in a localized manner at least one area of the living being, said probe (2) comprising in particular a cooling element (200) present at its distal end, intended to come into contact with the area to be cooled and a thermoelectrically cooled module (201) comprising a cold zone in contact with the cooling element (200).