Emerging cryogenics markets

These are exciting times for the emerging cryogenics markets. It is becoming enormously popular as a treatment choice for many surgeons and cryotherapy proves to be extremely effective in treating cancerous tumours, retinal detachments, treatment of Morton’s neuroma and plantar fasciitis, cardiac surgery and pain relief.

Author: Elizabeth Thomas   |   Date: 6th April 2020

With decades of experience in their field, Nu Perspectives are experts at tackling cryosurgical engineering challenges – whether posed by gas-based processes or those posed by engineering with liquid nitrogen.

The team work closely with their clients to design and manufacture equipment for use in the fields of ophthalmic surgery, podiatry, pain relief, cardiac surgery, and lung cancer. They are always keen to hear from others in the industry with regards to technological advances and innovative ideas.

Health and wellbeing

There are many new products coming on line for localised surface cooling, generally using carbon dioxide based on the Joule-Thomson principle – expansion of gas. A good example of this is CRYOFOS, the neuroreflex stimul- ation pain therapy.

Infrared sensors measures the skin temperature and allows the operator to work precisely by accessing the narrowest of spaces. Cryostimulation, as a method of stimulating the body’s own neuroreflexive, responds to combat pain.

Cryochambers are becoming increasingly popular. Cryotherapy involves exposure of the human body to extremely cold (around –85°C), dry air for short periods of time. The Chambers are designed to treat rheumatic diseases, chronic back and joint pain, anxiety and depression, arthritis and many more.

Next generation cryoablation technology

Many cryogenic/medtech companies and surgeons, are continuously looking to improve their technologies and outcomes for patients. Nu Perspectives are currently working in partnership with companies, to improve and develop their systems and probes. The aim is to treat cancers in new and innovative ways.

During surgery, the probe is inserted into the tumour, guided by CT or ultrasound and liquid nitrogen generates sub-zero temperatures to turn the tumour into an ice ball. A ‘freeze-thaw-freeze’ cycle then destroys the targeted tissue immediately and leaves adjacent healthy tissue undamaged.

Developing cryosurgical devices

The demand for single use cryoprobes has risen enormously in the past couple of years. Nu Perspectives have designed and developed many of these devices. At a Cryogenics event in Prague last year, Director, Louise Cuff, spoke with a cardiac surgeon from Japan. He told her that single use cyrocath probes, although brilliant in design, were too expensive for certain markets.

As a cardiac surgeon he performed many surgeries every week using a gas based cryosurgical probe and Nitrous Oxide. He preferred to work with reusable cryo probes for treating heart arrhythmias. Therefore, they discussed the ‘closed cycle cryosurgical device session’ and the potential of developing a bendable cryoprobe – much like the cardioblate cryoflex surgical ablation probes, designed by Medtronic – this device would assist with the positioning of the probe for open surgery, particularly around the back of the heart. A device much like a catheter cryoprobe.

“Although cryocath probes are effective for these types of surgeries, they are expensive as they are also a disposable product. Japan and the USA share a similar healthcare system, where it is covered by renumeration from medical insurance. Therefore only certain procedures are covered, and some are more profitable than others. The main driver for the surgeon I spoke with, was to develop and improve the use of the equipment he was currently working with, without a significant cost increase.” Said Louise.

Nu Perspectives are keen to hear from users, companies and engineers about new and exciting developments in medtech and the emerging cryogenics markets.

Interested in collaborating or ideas sharing, on cryogenics or liquid nitrogen projects?

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