Portable RF-based device for healthcare applications

Abstract

This invention relates to healthcare industry, particularly design and use of a portable, user-friendly, multi-functional RF device for solution to cancer treatment, and health conditions such as obesity, which is characterized as comprising a main body (1) underneath of which there are wheels (7) with length-adjustable profiles, and front of which contains a cover (1.2), a RF power supply (2) fastened inside main body (1), a signal matching source (3) which provides lossless transmission of signals generated by RF power supply (2), and which focuses RF waves only onto the application area, a non-rigid body electrode (8), neck electrode (9), head electrode (10) and point electrode (11) which separately receive the signals coming from signal matching source (2) by means of lead wire (6), and a control panel (4) wherein patient data are entered, and device strength value and radio wave application durations are determined automatically based on patient data entered.

Description

[0001] PORTABLE RF-BASED DEVICE FOR HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS

[0002] Technological Field:

[0003] This invention relates to healthcare industry, particularly design and use of a portable, user-friendly, multi-functional RF device for solution to cancer treatment, and health conditions such as obesity.

[0004] State of Art:

[0005] According to Cancer Report 2020 of World Health Organization, one in every six deaths is caused by cancer and this number is expected to double by 2030. For cancer, which is a complicated disease, development of new diagnostic and treatment methods is at the forefront of the researches in the healthcare field. Chemotherapy is today one of the most common methods used in treatment of this disease. Although chemotherapy agents administered systematically into the body have therapeutic efficacy on the cancerous target tissues, they also affect many other systems (such as healthy cells, tissues) causing serious side effects and toxicity.

[0006] Existing RF hyperthermia devices are generally large-size, stationary systems, which requires patients to visit a medical center for treatment. In addition, electrodes used in the standard devices are generally fixed in size and shape, which further making it difficult to tailor the treatment to the characteristics of tumor. This not only prevents patients from having an effective treatment (requirement for multiple sessions per day depending on the clinical picture, or using special electrode type tailored to the extent of the tumor) but also limits comfort and everyday activities of the patients. Moreover, existing devices have no capability of remote access, therefore it is not possible to follow up treatment process in real-time. Patent application No. US8073551B2 describes development of a coil type electrode that can be used in the tumor ablation. It is emphasized that more effective heating can be provided in the tumor area by converting the electrode type, which is generally in the form of a spiral, into a coil. However, personalized treatment cannot be made with said device as treatment specific to a point cannot be applied.

[0007] Patent Application No. US20070173680A1 describes a method and apparatus which comprise postoperative burning of tumor area using a special probe. In other words, patent describes development of a special probe, which is inserted into body and then expanded to contain the tumor area in order to bum away the potential residual tumors post-operatively. However, personalized treatment cannot be made with said device as treatment specific to a point cannot be applied.

[0008] Patent Application No. US9014814B2 describes a special radiometer device that will enable accurate measurement of the temperature in the tumor area. In other words, it aims to accurately read temperature of the tissue while applying RF hyperthermia, as well as measure both application time and effectiveness of RF in order to verify if tumor has been destroyed completely.

[0009] Patent Application No. US6016452A describes that it is possible to design a bipolar or multi-polar electrode, which can, in particular, be used to apply RF hyperthermia for prostate cancer. In other words, it describes development of a bipolar or multi-polar rigid electrode structure.

[0010] Patent Application No. US20230404648A1 describes a bar electrode structure with a non-rigid electronic PCB design in order to bum away surficial tumors.

[0011] As a result, there is a need for a new technology that can overcome the disadvantages described above. One of the most important advantages of our invention is its capability to destroy cancerous cells without damaging healthy cells, besides its portability and ergonomic structure.

[0012] Our invention eliminates the necessity for users to be dependent on a center to receive treatment. Device is designed so that it can be used easily at home. In addition, it is equipped with a simple and easy-to-understand touchscreen user interface, which help users to use the device conveniently and observe its activity instantaneously.

[0013] Our invention is equipped with non-rigid and wearable electrodes to maximize user comfort. These electrodes can be tailored to physical characteristics of the patient and position of the tumor. Thus, RF signals can be transmitted effectively and independently of the body contours and tumor area. Non-rigid fabric composition of the electrodes do not hinder everyday activities of the patient, maximizing the comfort of patient during treatment.

[0014] Our invention has a control system that is ready to integrate with the mobile applications. Thanks to this function, users can monitor the functioning of the device remotely and intervene it when necessary. Real-time tracking of the treatment process ensures treatment to be more effectively and reliably. At the same time, patient data and treatment parameters can be entered in the system easily, offering a personalized treatment approach.

[0015] Our invention has a modular structure different than existing systems. RF power supply and signal matching source minimizes the losses, ensuring signals to be transmitted only to the target area. This function increases both reliability and effectiveness of the treatment. In addition, the portable and compact design of the device eliminates the need for the patient bed, while minimizing health risks thanks to non-rigid electrodes. And, RF power supply and signal matching unit of the device enable focused transmission of the radio waves to the target area without energy loss, providing high energy efficiency. This function ensures that only target tissues are affected, while protecting surrounding healthy tissues against damages. Our invention also shortens the duration of sessions by offering a fast and effective treatment process. This both increases the patient comfort and decreases the time and cost spent for the treatment.

[0016] Our invention will not only be used in the tumor treatment but also in burning the local body fats and the obesity treatment using the radio-wave-based heating principle. Besides healthcare field, the device can also be used in the semi-conductor technologies. For example, it can be applied in the ionization of the target semi-conductor materials or film coating technologies. This will also enable industrial and technological of the device. Besides tumor ablation, our invention has potential to stimulate the immune system, indicating that it can be applied in the other immune-based treatment methods.

[0017] Description of Drawings:

[0018] Invention will be described through references to appended drawings, and therefore specifications of the invention will be understood more clearly and appreciated, however, this is not intended to limit invention to these certain embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, embodiments, and equivalences that can be included in the field of the invention defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that the details provided and / or shown is provided and / or shown in order to describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and facilitate the most useful and easier-to-understand definition both for embodiments of the methods and rules and conceptual particulars of the invention. In these drawings;

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic representation of the invention.

[0020] Figure 2 Perspective representation of the non-rigid body electrode associated with the invention.

[0021] Figure 3 Perspective representation of the non-rigid neck electrode associated with the invention.

[0022] Figure 4 Perspective representation of the non-rigid head electrode associated with the invention.

[0023] Figure 5 Perspective representation of the non-rigid point electrode associated with the invention. Figure 6 A perspective representation of the invention.

[0024] While the figures that will help this innovation to be understood are enumerated as it is defined in annexed picture, they are presented below with their names.

[0025] Legend:

[0026] 1. Main body

[0027] 1.1. Emergency button

[0028] 1.2. Cover

[0029] 2. RF power supply

[0030] 3. Signal matching source

[0031] 4. Control panel

[0032] 5. Main wire

[0033] 6. Lead wire

[0034] 7. Wheel

[0035] 8. Body electrode

[0036] 9. Neck electrode

[0037] 10. Head electrode

[0038] 11. Point electrode

[0039] Detailed Description of Invention:

[0040] The invention basically comprises components as main body (1), RF power supply (2), signal matching source (3), control panel (4), main wire (5), lead wire (6), wheel (7), body electrode (8), neck electrode (9), head electrode (10), and point electrode (11). There is an emergency button (1.1) on the main body (1) and a cover (1.2) in the front section.

[0041] Schematic representations of the invention are provided in Figure 1 and Figure 6. The main body (1) seen in the figures contains RF power supply (2) and signal matching source (3) inside. RF power supply (2) and signal matching source (3) are linked with each other via main wire (5). Lead wire coming from signal matching source (3) transmits signal to the electrode tools. Schematic representations of electrodes are provided in Figures 2 to 5. These electrodes consist of four parts as body electrode (8) neck electrode (9), neck electrode (10), or point electrode (11). Each of them are made of non-rigid fabric, and therefore easily attachable to the relevant sections of the body. These structure may include hook-and-loop fasteners, or snap fasteners. There are wheels (7) underneath the main body (1). Each of these wheels (7) provides motion to the main body (1) and linked to the main body (1) via a profde. Profiles adjust the distance of wheels (7) and main body (1) to the floor. This adjustment can be provided by a large number of holes or telescopic structure over the profiles.

[0042] RF power supply (1) is main device generating RF signals (13.56 Mhz) It generates signals at desired strength. Lossless direct conveyance of the signals generated by RF power supply (1) to the electrodes is provided by signal matching source (2). This device enable RF waves to reach only to the application area, while preventing deflections and losses. Control panel (4) provides control of the system remotely, or manually on-screen. This screen can be a touchscreen or a push-button type. According to the patient data entered via control panel, strength values and radio wave application durations are automatically calculated for said patient via embedded processer containing software.

[0043] Body electrode (8) applies the RF signals to the relevant body area, neck electrode (9) to the neck area, head electrode (10) to head electrode, and point electrode (11) to surficial or point areas.

Claims

CLAIMS1- Invention is a portable RF-based device for healthcare applications, comprising- a main body (1) underneath of which there are wheels (7) with length-adjustable profiles, and front of which contains a cover (1.2),- a RF power supply (2) fastened inside main body (1),- a signal matching source (3) which provides lossless transmission of signals generated by RF power supply (2), and which focuses RF waves only onto the application area,- non-rigid body electrode (8), neck electrode (9), head electrode (10) and point electrode (11) which separately receive the signals coming from signal matching source (2) by means of lead wire (6), and- a control panel (4) wherein patient data are entered, and device strength value and radio wave application durations are determined automatically based on patient data entered.2- The control panel according to Claim 1 which is characterized as comprising a touchscreen.3- The portable RF-based device for healthcare applications according to Claim 1 which is characterized as comprising main wire (5) providing connection between RF power supply (2) and signal matching source (3).4- The portable RF-based device for healthcare applications according to Claim 1 which is characterized as comprising a main body (1) containing an emergency stop button (1.1) which shuts down the system instantly in case of an emergency.

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