Alternating Electric Field Heating for Uniform Tissue Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices using radio frequency (RF) or microwave electromagnetic fields for therapeutic heating, such as focused microwave thermotherapy, fail to evenly heat the entire thickness of a treatment region due to amplitude decrease with depth, resulting in suboptimal therapeutic outcomes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method employing an alternating electric field between two electrodes, positioned to encompass the treatment region, generating a dielectric field in the range of 1 MHz to 100 MHz, specifically 27.12 MHz or 40.68 MHz, to uniformly heat the treatment area by inducing molecular movement and friction, ensuring consistent heating throughout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If radio frequency or microwave electromagnetic fields are used for therapeutic heating, then heating capability is achieved, but heating uniformity deteriorates due to amplitude decrease with depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the electromagnetic field from traditional RF/microwave frequencies to a lower frequency range (1 MHz to 100 MHz). This parameter change allows the field to penetrate deeper into tissue while maintaining more uniform amplitude distribution, thereby achieving both heating capability and improved heating uniformity throughout the treatment region
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the conventional approach of high-frequency RF/microwave fields that provide strong heating but poor depth penetration, the patent inverts the approach by using lower frequency fields. This inversion prioritizes depth penetration and uniformity over raw heating intensity, solving the contradiction by reversing the traditional frequency selection rationale
2Temperature
If electromagnetic field amplitude decreases with penetration depth, then surface heating is effective, but deep tissue heating becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the frequency parameter from conventional RF/microwave ranges to 1-100 MHz, the patent achieves a wavelength that is sufficiently long to maintain relatively uniform field distribution across the treatment region thickness, enabling effective heating throughout the entire depth rather than just at the surface
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 approach provides substantially even heating across the treatment region, allowing for effective thermal treatment of biological targets by ensuring all cell types within the region heat at the same rate, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and consistency.
Implementation Method 1
The alternating electric field causes movement of polar molecules in the treatment region whereby friction resulting from this molecular movement translates into heat throughout the thickness of the treatment region
Implementation Method 2
friction resulting from this molecular movement translates into heat throughout the thickness of the treatment region
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for heating a treatment region of a subject via the application of an alternating electric field is disclosed. The method includes positioning a treatment region of a subject between a first electrode and a second electrode sized to extend across the treatment region. The first and second electrodes are connected to a generator operable to apply an alternating electric field between the electrodes at a frequency in the range of 1 MHz to 100 MHz. The method also includes activating the generator to apply the alternating electric field between the first and second electrodes and across the treatment region. The alternating electric field causes movement of polar molecules in the treatment region whereby friction resulting from this molecular movement translates into heat throughout the treatment region.