Alternating Electrode Hyperthermia Device for Deep Heat Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high frequency hyperthermia devices have limited deep heat generation, longer procedure times, and cause discomfort due to fixed electrode poles, leading to inefficient treatment and potential skin burns.
Innovation Solution
A high frequency hyperthermia device with a hand piece featuring alternating switch-controlled electrodes, allowing for alternating high frequency current application to pairs of electrodes spaced apart, reducing the need for continuous electrode movement and minimizing skin contact, thereby enhancing deep heat generation and reducing discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high frequency current with fixed pole is applied to each electrode, then electrode structure is simple, but deep heat generation region is small and treatment effect is insignificant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electrode poles changeable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically switches the polarity of high frequency current applied to each electrode based on real-time temperature feedback from thermocouples, enabling the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions and generate deep heat more effectively throughout the treatment area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using thermocouples to continuously monitor temperature at multiple points and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the electrode polarity accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes deep heat generation while preventing overheating and improving treatment effectiveness.
2Area of stationary object
If hand piece is continuously moved to cover large procedure region, then treatment area is covered, but operator fatigue is accumulated and procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the treatment area into multiple monitoring zones with thermocouples placed at different locations. Each zone is independently monitored and controlled through specific electrode pairs, allowing simultaneous treatment of multiple areas without requiring continuous hand piece movement, thereby reducing procedure time and operator fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuity of useful action by maintaining constant electrode-skin contact and continuously switching electrode polarity based on real-time temperature feedback. This eliminates the need to lift and reposition the hand piece, allowing uninterrupted treatment of large areas and reducing both procedure time and operator fatigue.
3Reliability
If electrode is pressed against skin with variable force, then contact is maintained, but unstable contact causes spark and skin burn risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automatic feedback control system that continuously monitors temperature through thermocouples and autonomously adjusts electrode polarity to maintain stable contact. This eliminates the need for manual force application, preventing unstable contact, sparks, and skin burns while ensuring reliable electrode-skin contact throughout the procedure.
4Temperature
If high frequency current is applied to generate deep heat, then treatment effect is achieved, but procedure time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by rapidly and alternately switching the polarity of high frequency current between different electrode pairs based on real-time temperature feedback. This periodic switching creates efficient alternating heating patterns that penetrate deeper into tissue and generate heat more quickly, significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining effective deep heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining multiple electrode pairs with thermocouples at different locations to create a distributed heating system. This composite configuration enables simultaneous heating of multiple tissue depths and regions, accelerating deep heat generation and reducing overall procedure time compared to single-electrode approaches.
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
The device efficiently generates deep heat in a shorter time, improves treatment effectiveness, and minimizes discomfort and burning risks by allowing for simultaneous heating of larger areas with reduced electrode movement.
Implementation Method 1
high frequency currents being supplied are applied to skin (S) in contact with the contact electrodes (122) to generate deep heat in an internal body
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a high frequency hyperthermia device which includes a main body (110) which includes a high frequency generator (114) which generates high frequency currents using drive power, a hand piece (120) which is connected to the main body (110) through a cable (140) and in which a handle (121) to be gripped by a user is disposed on an upper portion of the hand piece (120), and four or more contact electrodes (122), through which the high frequency currents being supplied are applied to skin (S) in contact with the contact electrodes (122) to generate deep heat in an internal body, are disposed on a lower surface of the hand piece (120), and an alternating switch (130) which is disposed between and connected to the high frequency generator (114) and the contact electrodes (122) in a circuit manner and which supplies the high frequency currents output from the high frequency generator (114) to the contact electrode (122), wherein the contact electrodes (122) are divided into pairs each having two contact electrodes (122), and the high frequency currents are alternately supplied to the pairs at a first speed.