Optical Cooling Crystal with Central Channel for Intra-Cerebral Implantation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for local tissue cooling, such as those used for treating epilepsy, are not suitable for chronic intra-cerebral implantation due to inefficiencies and lack of compactness, particularly in terms of cooling efficiency and ratio of compactness to efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a cooling crystal that absorbs near-infrared light, an elongate shape with a central channel for a cooling member, and an illuminating system generating an annular light signal, combined with dichroic filters and fluorophore elements for recycling fluorescence to enhance cooling efficiency and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional cooling devices are used for local tissue cooling, then cooling function is provided, but cooling efficiency is insufficient and device compactness is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the crystal cooling element, cooling member with thermal contact surface, and illuminating system into a single integrated device. The crystal is positioned to receive light directly from the illuminating system while maintaining thermal contact with the cooling member, eliminating the need for separate cooling apparatus and improving both compactness and cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling member is embedded within the crystal structure, with the illuminating system positioned to illuminate the crystal from within or through the cooling member. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and achieves high compactness while maintaining effective cooling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If cooling devices are designed for implantation, then portability is improved, but cooling efficiency and compactness ratio become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimplantabilityVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling member features a thermal contact surface specifically designed to contact the crystal at the optimal location for heat transfer. The illuminating system is positioned to illuminate the crystal at the point of maximum cooling effect, ensuring that the implantable device achieves high cooling efficiency despite size constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If microfluidic or thermoelectric coolers are used, then cooling function is achieved, but they are not suitable for chronic intra-cerebral implantation due to inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation suitabilityVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems (microfluidic pumps, thermoelectric modules) with an optical cooling mechanism using crystal fluorescence. The crystal absorbs light from the illuminating system and converts it to heat locally, which is then conducted away by the cooling member, providing efficient cooling without moving parts or complex fluid systems suitable for chronic implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device achieves increased cooling efficiency and compactness, allowing for effective treatment of conditions like epilepsy with reduced heat transfer to surrounding tissues, enabling faster cooling and improved treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

The cooling crystal is preferably formed from a material able to exhibit the physical phenomenon referred to as anti-Stokes fluorescence. This phenomenon consists of inelastic scattering of light, involving an exchange of energy between an incident photon of defined wavelength and the crystal lattice.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-Stokes fluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

said means for recycling the fluorescence comprise one or more dichroic filters that are arranged on the periphery of said lateral surface of the crystal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDichroic filtering: Dichroic Filter

Implementation Method 3

said means for recycling the fluorescence comprise fluorophore elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence recycling: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11600962B2Device for cooling locally

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

A device for cooling locally, including a cooling member, a crystal having the capacity to cool via absorption of a near-infrared exciting light signal, an illuminating system intended to deliver an exciting light signal, the crystal having an elongate shape about a longitudinal axis between a near end and a far end and having a closed constant outside cross section and containing a central channel formed, from its far end, over at least some of its length, the cooling member including a rod embedded via a first end into the central channel of the crystal and including a protruding second end that forms a cooling finger.