Scalp Cooling Cap with Inflatable Compression Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scalp cooling methods for chemotherapy-induced alopecia are not optimized for patient comfort and require clinical settings, limiting their accessibility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A portable cooling cap assembly with a heat exchanger and compression assembly that increases contact area with the scalp, allowing for self-administered treatments at home, featuring an inflatable member that adjusts pressure and a cooling unit for efficient temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional scalp cooling methods are used, then cooling treatment can be provided, but patient comfort is not optimized and clinical setting is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is divided into multiple independent cooling elements that can be separately positioned and adjusted on the scalp. Each cooling element can be independently controlled, allowing for optimized comfort and effectiveness without requiring a complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable and adaptable components that can be customized to fit different patient head shapes and sizes. The dynamic adjustment capabilities allow the device to adapt to individual patient needs, improving comfort without requiring multiple different device designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional scalp cooling methods are used, then cooling treatment can be provided, but treatment location is limited to clinical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is designed with universal applicability for use in multiple settings including clinical environments and home care. The device integrates essential cooling functions into a portable unit that can operate independently of specialized clinical infrastructure, enabling treatment flexibility across different locations.
3Productivity
If contact area between cooling element and scalp is increased, then cooling treatment efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs multiple distributed cooling elements rather than a single large cooling surface. Each cooling element is optimized for local contact with specific scalp regions, achieving high overall contact area and cooling efficiency through the cumulative effect of multiple localized cooling zones rather than one complex large-scale structure.
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
Enhances cooling treatment efficiency and comfort, enabling patients to administer scalp cooling treatments conveniently and effectively outside clinical settings, thereby reducing hair loss associated with chemotherapy.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to be wrapped around a head of a patient
Implementation Method 2
increase a contact area between a cooling element (e.g., heat exchanger) and a scalp of a patient
Implementation Method 3
The inflatable member may comprise a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. Transitioning the inflatable member from the deflated to the inflated configuration may increase a pressure applied to the head of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods herein relate to cooling a head of a patient. These systems and methods may comprise a cooling cap assembly comprising a heat exchanger configured to be wrapped around a head of a patient and a compression assembly releasably coupled to the heat exchanger. The compression assembly may comprise an enclosure and an inflatable member coupled to an internal surface of the enclosure. When coupled, the inflatable member may be positioned between the enclosure and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be separate from and moveable relative to the inflatable member.