Syringe with Integrated Ozone Generator for Disc Herniation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering ozone or oxygen-ozone mixtures for treating disc herniation and other inflammatory conditions are inefficient, as they involve bulky, costly, and non-sterile equipment that lacks selective delivery to the affected area, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A portable, disposable, or reusable syringe apparatus with a built-in generator and accumulator that produces and delivers a therapeutic gas mixture, such as oxygen-ozone, using a corona discharge device, ultraviolet light source, or ozonated gel, allowing for efficient and sterile administration directly to the target tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If percutaneous procedures (discetomy, chemonucleolysis) are used to treat disc herniation, then surgical intervention can be avoided, but the cost of these procedures is high and treatment outcomes are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the therapeutic agent by using oxygen-ozone mixtures with specific ozone concentrations (5-50% v/v) and controlled oxygen partial pressures. This chemical parameter change enables effective anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that achieve treatment outcomes comparable to or better than surgical intervention, while avoiding the harms of invasive procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes ozone, a strong oxidant, as the core therapeutic agent. Ozone's potent oxidizing properties enable it to effectively modulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing. This strong oxidizing capability provides therapeutic effectiveness that matches or exceeds surgical outcomes while maintaining a non-invasive approach
2Object-affected harmful factors
If steroid medications or lidocaine are injected into inflamed tissue or joints, then inflammation can be treated, but side effects such as infection, gastric ulcer bleeding, and immunosuppression occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional anti-inflammatory drugs (steroids, lidocaine) with ozone, a strong oxidant that treats inflammation through oxidative mechanisms rather than pharmacological suppression. Ozone's anti-inflammatory effect is achieved by modulating immune cell function and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, providing effective inflammation control without the harmful side effects of immunosuppression, gastric ulcer bleeding, or infection risk associated with conventional drugs
3Productivity
If conventional ozone administration equipment is used, then therapeutic gas can be delivered, but the equipment is bulky, costly, and non-sterile
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates the ozone generator, gas storage reservoir, flow control mechanisms, and delivery syringe into a single nested compact unit. The generator is housed within the syringe barrel, and the gas storage is integrated into the same structure, creating a portable disposable device that eliminates the need for bulky external equipment while maintaining sterile delivery capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable syringe-based device that eliminates the need for expensive, complex, and non-sterile reusable equipment. The disposable nature ensures sterility while reducing cost, as each single-use unit contains integrated generator and delivery components, making the overall system more affordable and eliminating sterilization requirements for equipment reuse
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 apparatus enables efficient, sterile, and selective delivery of ozone or oxygen-ozone mixtures, reducing recovery time, minimizing side effects, and avoiding scar tissue formation, while providing a minimally invasive alternative with high success rates for treating disc herniation and other inflammatory conditions.
Implementation Method 1
using a corona discharge device
Implementation Method 2
ultraviolet light source, or ozonated gel
Implementation Method 3
a heating element, such that activation of the heating element elevates a temperature of the gel causing desorption of ozone-oxygen mixture from the gel
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger and having an ozone generator associated therewith. The generator is initiated and a therapeutic gas is accumulated within the barrel, at which point it can be delivered from the barrel into a target site via a needle, thereby delivering therapeutic effects to that target site.