ICEfx Cryoablation System
Microwave ablation and cryoablation are minimally invasive treatments that use image guidance to place a needle through the skin and into a tumor. These procedures require a high degree of precision, while also demanding systems that can adapt to dynamic clinical environments.
Through collaboration with biomedical manufacturing partners, this project began by identifying key challenges around mobility, usability, and flexibility during treatment. These insights informed a series of compact system concepts focused on improving workflow and ease of use within the procedure space.
Role
Objective
Industrial Design Team Contributor
Design a new ablation system as a cohesive, user-centered platform that reduces procedural complexity and better supports clinicians in image-guided environments.
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Improve mobility
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Simplifying setup and interaction
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Increase flexibility during treatment
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Align hardware, interface, and workflow into a streamlined system
Process
Mood boards were created to help define three qualities established by the client. Early design directions based on the defined criteria were explored through digital sketch concepts using photoshop, allowing for rapid evaluation and alignment. A client selected concept was then developed further in CAD and refined through high-fidelity visualization, establishing a cohesive system design grounded in both technical requirements and user needs.
Final Design
Key Results
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Global Launch and Adoption: The system was launched at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) 2018 meeting, where it was highlighted as a compact, user-friendly, and efficient solution for interventional radiologists.
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Regulatory Approvals: The ICEfx system received a medical device license from Health Canada in 2019 and is FDA-listed for cryoablative tissue destruction.
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Clinical Use: It has been adopted for treating tumors in the kidney and other sites, with notable use cases highlighting its efficacy in reducing procedure times and enabling out-patient care.
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Innovation in Design: The system is frequently noted in medical journals and by Boston Scientific for its portability—weighing only 23 kg compared to 80–120 kg for many competitors.
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Patents Awarded: Awarded U.S. design patent USD942019S for system design and form development
