Inclined Applicator Tips with C-Shaped Openings for Combination Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices face challenges in providing access to the target area during therapeutic procedures, leading to reduced efficacy and convenience, particularly when combined with treatments like injections or laser therapies.
Innovation Solution
Inclined applicator tips with a c-shaped opening and a mounting portion are designed to be coupled to cooling devices, allowing for adjustable angles to optimize cryogen flow and enable simultaneous or near-simultaneous administration of cooling and other treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional applicator tip is used, then the cooling device can deliver cryogen to the target area, but the access to the target area is limited and combination therapies are difficult to administer
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator tip is inclined at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the cooling device axis, creating a three-dimensional orientation that provides both access to the target area and space for combination therapies. This angular orientation allows the cooling device to approach from one angle while treatment areas remain accessible from other directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator tip is divided into distinct functional zones: a cooling delivery portion that contacts the target area and a separate treatment access portion that allows injections or laser therapies. This segmentation enables simultaneous or near-simultaneous administration of multiple therapies without interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the applicator tip is oriented at an angle to improve access, then combination therapies become feasible, but cryogen flow may be reduced due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow the applicator tip angle to be dynamically modified during treatment. This enables optimization of the angle for combination therapy access while minimizing the impact on cryogen flow, and allows real-time adjustments based on treatment requirements and patient anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the orientation parameter (angle) of the applicator tip while maintaining adequate cryogen flow by adjusting within an optimal range (e.g., 30-60 degrees). This parameter optimization balances access requirements with fluid dynamics considerations to prevent excessive cryogen loss.
3Ease of manufacture
If the applicator tip design is simplified for easy manufacturing, then production cost decreases, but the ability to provide angled access and combination therapy support is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator tip features an asymmetric inclined design where the cooling surface is angled relative to the mounting axis. This asymmetric geometry provides improved access and combination therapy capability while remaining manufacturable using standard forming techniques. The asymmetry is achieved through simple angular cutting or molding rather than complex multi-component assembly.
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 inclined applicator tips enhance access to the target site, minimizing cryogen flow reduction due to gravity and enabling efficient combination therapies by maintaining optimal cooling and treatment delivery at various angles.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting portion comprises a magnetic coupling element adapted to be operably coupled to the cooling device. In some aspects, the magnetic coupling element is one or more permanent magnets.
Implementation Method 2
In some aspects, the handheld cooling device is a cryo-genic cooling device. In some aspects, the cooling medium is a cryogen.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is an inclined applicator tip adapted to be operably coupled to a handheld cooling device. The inclined applicator tip may include an opened portion, at least a portion of an edge of the opened portion comprising a c-shape opening. The inclined applicator tip may also include an elongated body portion coupled to the opened portion, the longest dimension of the elongated body portion forming an angle of inclination angle of inclination (θ) with respect to the plane which is parallel to the c-shape opening, the elongated body portion being substantially parallel to the cooling axis of the handheld cooling device when operably coupled. The inclined applicator tip may further include a mounting portion adapted to be operably coupled to the cooling device, the mounting portion and the opened portion being coupled to the elongated body portion at opposite ends of the longest dimension of the elongated body portion.