Adjustable Needle Electrode for Electroporation Treatment Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode devices for electroporation struggle to adapt the distance between electrodes to match the treatment volume of a mammal, leading to potential tissue damage and reduced efficacy in treatments like Electro-Chemo-Therapy for tumors.
Innovation Solution
The electrode device features a handle with interchangeable needle electrodes that can be configured to vary the distance between electrically conducting parts, allowing for adjustable treatment areas and volumes, enabling precise delivery of electrical pulses to tumors of different sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed distance between electrodes is used in electrode devices, then the device structure is simple, but the treatment area and volume cannot be adapted to different tumor sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode device enables dynamic adjustment of the distance between electrodes through movable electrode elements that can be positioned at different locations along the electrode body. This dynamic configuration allows the treatment volume and area to be adapted to different tumor sizes and shapes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is divided into multiple independent electrode elements that can be selectively activated and positioned. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of the electric field distribution, enabling adaptation to various treatment volumes without requiring complete redesign of the electrode structure.
2Reliability
If high electric field strength and current are applied to achieve effective tumor treatment, then the chemotherapeutic effect is enhanced, but tissue damage and inflammatory response increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode device applies electric field energy locally to the tumor region through controlled electrode positioning and selective electrode activation. This localized application enhances the chemotherapeutic effect on tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, resolving the contradiction between treatment efficacy and tissue protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables application of high electric field strength selectively in the tumor region while maintaining lower field strength in surrounding tissues. This partial action approach achieves effective tumor treatment without subjecting the entire treatment area to potentially harmful high-energy exposure.
3Ease of operation
If the electrode distance is fixed, then the device is easy to operate, but the electric field distribution is not optimized for different treatment volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode device replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with electronically controlled electrode activation and positioning mechanisms. This substitution maintains ease of operation through simple controls while achieving precise electric field distribution through electronic adjustment of electrode positions and activation patterns.
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
This configuration allows for improved treatment of tumors by varying the treatment area and volume, reducing tissue damage and enhancing the homogeneity of the chemotherapeutic effect, thus improving the efficacy of electroporation-based therapies.
Implementation Method 1
Pulsed electric fields applied to biological cells and tissues create transverse channels or pores in the cell membrane, a phenomenon called electro-permeabilization or electroporation.
Implementation Method 2
The measurement unit is disposed to determine the impedance between the electrodes which is substantially determined by the electric properties of the tissue which is located between the electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode device for use in delivery of electrical pulses to a desired tissue of a mammal. The electrode device comprises a handle portion comprising first second electrode connections, and first and second needle electrodes comprising a respective first and second attachment end. Each one of the first and second electrode connections is configured with an inner electrode position and an outer electrode position, wherein the inner and outer electrode positions are electrically conducting. Further, each one of the first and second attachment ends is configured with an insulating part configured to electrically insulate one out of the inner electrode position and the outer electrode position when located therein, and configured with an electrically conducting part configured to conduct current supplied to the other one out of the inner electrode position or the outer electrode position when located therein.