Laser Cartilage Shaping Tip With Closed-Loop Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for correcting a deviated septum, such as septoplasty, are invasive, time-consuming, and often result in complications like scar tissue formation, bone collapse, and infections, with patients taking months to notice improvements.
Innovation Solution
A medical device and method utilizing a laser system with a closed-loop circulation system and temperature monitoring to shape tissue, allowing for precise heating and cooling of cartilage without invasive surgery, using a 7 mm metal tip with a sapphire window and pulsed laser beams for in-vivo tissue modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional septoplasty surgery is performed to correct deviated septum, then the cartilage can be reshaped and repositioned, but the procedure causes invasive trauma, scar tissue formation, bone collapse, and infections requiring long-term antibiotics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical instruments and cutting tools with a laser-based system. The laser beam delivers precise energy to reshape cartilage without physical contact, eliminating the need for incisions, sutures, and mechanical manipulation that cause trauma and complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses controlled thermal parameters through laser heating and active cooling to modify cartilage properties. By precisely controlling temperature parameters during the procedure, the cartilage can be reshaped without the mechanical trauma of traditional surgery, and the cooling system prevents thermal damage to surrounding tissues.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional septoplasty is performed to straighten severe deviations, then cartilage can be repositioned, but the procedure requires obtaining cartilage from other locations and takes months for patients to notice improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system allows for preliminary shaping and positioning of cartilage without the need for extensive preparatory incisions or harvesting procedures. The cartilage can be directly modified at the site of deviation, eliminating the time required for wound healing and tissue recovery before seeing results.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical cutting and repositioning with laser-based thermal modification, the procedure eliminates the need for cartilage harvesting from other locations and the associated recovery periods. The laser can directly reshape the deviated cartilage in place, significantly reducing overall treatment time.
3Manufacturing precision
If laser heating is used to shape tissue, then precise heating can be achieved, but excessive heat may damage surrounding cells and tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling fluid as an intermediary between the laser heating process and the surrounding tissue. This cooling medium absorbs excess heat and protects adjacent cells and structures from thermal damage while allowing the laser to effectively heat and reshape the target cartilage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically controls temperature parameters during laser heating by adjusting laser power, pulse duration, and cooling fluid flow rate. This precise parameter control ensures that the target tissue reaches the necessary temperature for reshaping while surrounding tissues remain within safe temperature ranges, preventing thermal damage.
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
Enables safer, less invasive tissue shaping with immediate to short-term patient results, avoiding anesthesia and surgery, making septoplasty procedures more efficient and faster with reduced complications.
Implementation Method 1
a laser system with a closed-loop circulation system and temperature monitoring to shape tissue, allowing for precise heating and cooling of cartilage
Implementation Method 2
transfer heat from the tip to a cooling fluid inside the tip
Data Source
AI summary
A device for shaping tissue includes a tip with an internal close-looped circulation system. The tip is configured to connect to tubes. One tube is configured to connect to a submersible cold-water pump. Another tube is an outlet. The tip has a sapphire window on one face and, on opposite face, a shaft with a laser fiber therein, and an opening for laser beam to shine through.