Paddle-Shaped Cryoablation Tip for Single-Application Nasal Nerve Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic end effectors struggle to effectively apply cooling to the posterior nasal nerve due to poor fit with nasal anatomy, leading to increased procedure time, patient discomfort, and potential collateral tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A paddle-shaped cryoablation tip with thermally conductive and insulative sides, featuring notches, is designed to simultaneously ablate the posterior nasal nerve by contacting both anterior and posterior regions of the turbinate, minimizing collateral tissue exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If currently proposed cryogenic end effectors are used, then cryogenic cooling can be applied to the nasal cavity, but the poor fit with nasal anatomy requires multiple applications increasing procedure time and patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogenic end effector features a bilaterally asymmetric configuration where one side is thermally conductive and the other is thermally insulative. This local differentiation allows the conductive side to effectively ablate the posterior nasal nerve while the insulative side protects surrounding tissue, eliminating the need for multiple applications and reducing procedure time and patient discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector employs asymmetric thermal properties across its two sides - one side is highly thermally conductive for ablation, while the other is highly thermally insulative for protection. This asymmetry enables a single application to simultaneously achieve effective cooling of the target nerve while protecting adjacent structures, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation
2Reliability
If multiple applications of cryogenic cooling are required, then complete ablation of posterior nasal nerve can be achieved, but this increases procedure time and potential for collateral tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally insulative side of the end effector acts as a protective barrier that prevents cryogenic cooling from spreading to surrounding healthy tissue. This local quality differentiation ensures reliable ablation of the posterior nasal nerve while minimizing collateral damage, allowing single-application treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally insulative side of the end effector serves as an intermediary barrier between the cryogenic cooling source and the surrounding healthy tissue. This insulative layer mediates the thermal energy transfer, allowing effective ablation of the target nerve while blocking harmful thermal effects from reaching adjacent structures
3Productivity
If a paddle-shaped cryoablation tip with both conductive and insulative sides is used, then single-application ablation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector integrates different thermal properties (conductive and insulative) into a single integrated structure rather than using separate components. This local quality differentiation within a unified design achieves single-application ablation capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through streamlined construction
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
Reduces procedure time and patient discomfort by allowing single-application ablation of the posterior nasal nerve across multiple zones, while protecting surrounding tissue from excessive cooling.
Implementation Method 1
One broad side of the cryoablation tip is highly thermally conductive... conductive surfaces of the cryoablation tip disposed in contact with portions of the turbinate lining overlying a posterior nasal nerve... operated to cool those portions to ablate the posterior nasal nerve
Implementation Method 2
The opposing broad side of the cryoablation tip is highly thermally insulative (non-conductive)... insulative side comprises a body including an insulative surface... insulative portion of the cryoablation tip protects remaining surrounding tissue from cryoablation
Implementation Method 3
The device includes a cryogen source, a handle (which may be housed in the handle), a shaft extending from the handle, and a cryoablation tip configured for application of cryogenic cooling
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for more effective cryoablation of a posterior nasal nerve. The cryoablation tip of the device is paddle-shaped, with broad, flat, overall rectangular outline with notches on the sides to create a metacentric outline. One side of the cryoablation tip is conductive, while the opposing side is highly non-conductive. Corner portions of the tip are also non-conductive. Intermediate portions of the side-edge surfaces conductive, and are configured as recesses or notches in the side edge. In use, the system will be inserted into the nasal cavity of a patient, with conductive surfaces of the cryoablation tip disposed in contact with portions of the turbinate lining overlying a posterior nasal nerve, and operated to cool those portions to ablate the posterior nasal nerve. The insulative portion of the cryoablation tip protects remaining surrounding tissue from cryoablation.