Smart Tip Cryoneedle for Teardrop Ice Ball Formation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic devices for treating neural tissues face challenges in achieving precise and efficient ice ball formation, particularly for longer needles with reduced gauge sizes, leading to undesirable ice ball shapes and frosting, which affect the efficacy of treatments for conditions like lower back pain and spinal indications.
Innovation Solution
The design of a cryogenic device with a silica supply tube having a specific inner-to-outer diameter ratio and controlled flow rate to form a teardrop-shaped ice ball, combined with a blunt needle and introducer system that allows the ice ball to remain on the introducer post-treatment, reducing overall procedure time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If longer needles with reduced gauge sizes are used, then the needle can reach deeper target tissues, but undesirable ice ball shapes and frosting occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the inner-to-outer diameter ratio of the silica supply tube (0.44 to 0.52) and controlling the flow rate of cooling fluid (4.70-8.34 SCCM) to produce a desired teardrop-shaped ice ball. These parameter adjustments resolve the contradiction by enabling longer needles to achieve proper ice ball formation without frosting, directly addressing the technical problem of ice ball shape degradation with increased needle length
2Productivity
If conventional needle designs are used, then the procedure can be completed, but post-cooling time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by designing the needle and introducer system so that the ice ball forms and remains on the introducer during the procedure. This allows the ice ball to be pre-positioned and maintained without requiring extended post-cooling time, enabling the operator to proceed to the next treatment location more quickly and reducing overall procedure time by up to 50%
3Ease of operation
If a sharp needle is used, then insertion is easier, but the needle cannot provide electrical insulation for neurostimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the functions of insertion and neurostimulation into different components: a sharp introducer needle for easy insertion and a blunt therapeutic needle for neurostimulation and cryotherapy. The introducer needle provides electrical insulation during neurostimulation while the blunt needle delivers the cooling treatment, allowing both easy insertion and neurostimulation capability to coexist
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 solution enables precise ice ball formation for effective treatment of target nerves, reducing procedure time by up to 50% for post-cooling and allowing simultaneous treatment at multiple locations, thus enhancing the efficacy of cryotherapy for conditions such as lower back pain and sacroiliac joint issues.
Implementation Method 1
the needles may be cooled (e.g., by a flow of the cryogen), and the target tissue adjacent to the cooled needles may thereby be cooled by conduction
Implementation Method 2
cryogen may be either injected into the target tissue via openings in needles of their needle probes, such that the target tissue is cooled directly by the cryogen
Data Source
AI summary
Cryogenic methods, systems, and devices cryogenic system for alleviating lower back pain in a patient. The cryogenic device includes a handpiece having a size and shape suitable for supporting in a hand of an operator and a needle probe coupled to a distal portion of the handpiece. The needle probe includes a probe body, at least one needle coupled the probe body, and a silica supply tube extending within the needle lumen. The system includes an introducer configured to receive and position the at least one needle proximate to a location of a target tissue associated with lower back pain, wherein the cryogenic device is configured to provide a desired ice ball shape that remains on a distal portion of the introducer after the at least one needle is removed therefrom. The system further includes a needle guard configured to house the needle probe.