N2O Subcooling Heat Exchanger for Low-Pressure Cryotherapy Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryotherapy systems require pressurized refrigerants, which are typically stored in dangerous goods tanks, necessitating complex consoles with independent refrigeration circuits for subcooling, and there is a need for a method to efficiently pressurize and transfer low-pressure refrigerants like nitrous oxide from medical facilities for use in cryotherapy procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a closed-loop fluid flow path with thermal exchange devices, a compressor, condenser, and reversing valve to pressurize and subcool low-pressure refrigerants, allowing for the removal of independent refrigeration circuits from the console and safer handling of refrigerant tanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an independent refrigeration circuit is included in the console to subcool nitrous oxide, then the refrigerant can be properly subcooled before entering the cryotherapy device, but the console becomes larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the subcooling function into the existing refrigeration circuit by configuring the evaporator to serve dual purposes: cooling the cryotherapy refrigerant and subcooling the nitrous oxide refrigerant. This integration eliminates the need for a separate independent refrigeration circuit, thereby reducing console complexity while maintaining reliable subcooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the evaporator for the cryotherapy refrigerant cycle and the subcooler for the nitrous oxide refrigerant. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve proper refrigerant subcooling without adding separate dedicated subcooling equipment to the console
2Productivity
If pressurized tanks are used to store refrigerant for cryotherapy, then the refrigerant is readily available for use, but the tanks are considered Dangerous Goods requiring complex handling and storage protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the refrigerant storage system by using a low-pressure source (approximately 50 psig for nitrous oxide) instead of high-pressure tanks. This parameter change allows the refrigerant to remain readily available while eliminating the Dangerous Goods classification that applies to pressurized containers, thereby simplifying handling and storage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition of the refrigerant (from liquid to gas) to provide the necessary cooling effect without requiring high-pressure storage. The low-pressure refrigerant is evaporated and then compressed only when needed for the cryotherapy procedure, avoiding continuous high-pressure storage and the associated safety concerns
3Stress or pressure
If low-pressure refrigerant is simply compressed to increase pressure, then the refrigerant can be transferred to the cryotherapy system, but the refrigerant temperature becomes unsuitable for cryotherapy use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cooling action to the refrigerant before compression by using the evaporator to subcool the low-pressure refrigerant. This preliminary action ensures that when the refrigerant is subsequently compressed and heated, it reaches the appropriate temperature range for cryotherapy use rather than becoming too hot from compression alone
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the low-pressure refrigerant source and the cryotherapy system. It provides the necessary thermal conditioning to the refrigerant before it enters the compression stage, ensuring the refrigerant achieves suitable temperature characteristics for its final application in the cryotherapy device
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 the efficient pressurization and subcooling of low-pressure refrigerants, reducing the complexity and size of cryotherapy consoles while enhancing safety by eliminating the need for separate refrigerant tanks, allowing for more economical and efficient use of nitrous oxide in cryotherapy procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor in fluid communication with the first thermal exchange device
Implementation Method 2
a condenser
Implementation Method 3
a first thermal exchange device in thermal exchange with and fluidly isolated from the fluid reservoir; a second thermal exchange device located between the reversing valve and the compressor
Implementation Method 4
a reversing valve located between the compressor and the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A system and kit for using a source of low-pressure refrigerant for a cryotherapy procedure and for subcooling a cryotherapy refrigerant. The system may generally include a fluid reservoir and a fluid flow path in thermal exchange with the fluid reservoir, the fluid flow path including a first thermal exchange device in thermal exchange with the fluid reservoir, a compressor in fluid communication with the first thermal exchange device, a condenser, a reversing valve located between the compressor and the condenser, a second thermal exchange device located between the reversing valve and the compressor, and an expansion valve located between the condenser and the thermal exchange device. The third thermal exchange device may be configured to be in fluid communication with the cryotherapy console and configured to place a secondary refrigerant within the first fluid flow path in thermal communication with a secondary refrigerant of the cryotherapy system.