Adjustable Plasma Delivery Tip for Narrow Body Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical-grade plasma delivery devices face challenges in generating and delivering cold plasma effectively within body cavities due to limitations in adjustable geometry and plasma plume control, which affects therapeutic efficacy and safety.
Innovation Solution
A plasma delivery tip with a dynamically adjustable geometry, featuring a gas delivery lumen, discharge electrode, and dielectric barrier layer, allowing for modifications in position and shape to optimize plasma generation and delivery, including adjustable diameter, position, and orientation, facilitated by mechanical and thermal adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the plasma delivery tip uses a fixed geometry design, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the plasma generation and delivery cannot be optimized for different treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma delivery tip incorporates dynamically adjustable components including the gas delivery lumen diameter, discharge electrode position, and dielectric barrier layer configuration. These components can be adjusted during operation to optimize plasma generation for different treatment requirements, transforming a static structure into a dynamic system that adapts to varying clinical needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate adjustable modules: the gas delivery lumen, discharge electrode, dielectric barrier layer, and plasma generation chamber. Each component can be independently adjusted or modified, allowing optimization of plasma generation without requiring complete redesign of the entire device, thus managing complexity through modular segmentation.
2Productivity
If the gas delivery lumen diameter is increased to deliver more ionization gas, then plasma generation efficiency improves, but the device cannot be inserted through small apertures or conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The gas delivery lumen diameter is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The lumen can be expanded to a larger diameter at the treatment site to deliver sufficient ionization gas for effective plasma generation, while maintaining a smaller profile during insertion through narrow apertures and conduits. This dynamic size adaptation resolves the contradiction between delivery efficiency and insertion capability.
3Quantity of substance
If the discharge electrode is positioned closer to the gas flow to enhance plasma generation, then plasma density increases, but the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the discharge electrode and the gas flow. This dielectric layer allows the electrode to be positioned close to the gas flow for high plasma density generation while preventing direct thermal contact with surrounding tissues. The dielectric material acts as a thermal barrier, enabling high plasma density without proportionally increasing thermal damage risk to adjacent structures.
4Reliability
If multiple adjustable parameters are incorporated to match specific treatment requirements, then therapeutic efficacy improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates multiple dynamically adjustable parameters including gas delivery lumen diameter, discharge electrode position, dielectric barrier layer configuration, and plasma generation chamber geometry. These dynamic adjustments enable customization for specific treatment requirements, improving therapeutic efficacy while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive control mechanisms.
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
Enables precise control over plasma generation and delivery, ensuring safe and effective treatment by maintaining medically acceptable temperatures and enhancing therapeutic outcomes through adjustable parameters that match specific treatment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
cold plasma is generated by dielectric barrier discharge when the discharge electrodes transmits the high voltage
Implementation Method 2
a flow of ionization gas flows to a distal aperture of the gas delivery lumen; which transmits a high voltage to the flow of ionization gas
Data Source
AI summary
Adjustable distal tips of cold plasma generating devices configured for introduction to and operation within narrow intra-body confines. In some embodiments, a plasma delivery tip of a cold plasma generating device is expandable from a compact delivery configuration, allowing device operation with plasma plume parameters difficult to achieve within size constraints of a narrow delivery catheter and/or endoscope working channel. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, operating parameters of a plasma delivery tip are adjustable to tune characteristics of the plasma plume. Adjustable parameters optionally include, for example: lumen diameter, lumen aperture shape/direction, discharge electrode geometry, dielectric barrier characteristics, and/or relative placement of these components, including placement relative to a stream of ionizing gas. In some embodiments, plasma delivery tip elements are adapted to assist device navigation and/or tissue penetration.