Medical Applicator Suction and Retractable Electrodes for Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical treatment applicators face issues with undesirable tissue modification, such as arcing and tenting, due to poor contact between the applicator and tissue, especially when applying high-voltage or high-power electrical energy, which affects targeting and consistency of treatment.
Innovation Solution
The use of treatment applicators with non-penetrating electrodes and suction ports to maintain constant contact with the tissue, reducing air gaps and arcing, and featuring retractable electrodes with biases to ensure continuous contact and improved targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-voltage or high-power electrical energy is applied to treat tissue, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but undesirable tissue modification such as arcing and tenting occurs due to poor contact between applicator and tissue
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling medium is introduced as an intermediary substance between the applicator electrodes and the tissue surface. This coupling medium fills air gaps and improves electrical contact, allowing high-power electrical energy to be applied without causing arcing or tenting. The coupling medium acts as a mediator that enables effective energy transfer while preventing harmful discharge effects.
Solution Approach 2:
Suction is applied through suction ports to create negative pressure that draws the tissue surface toward the applicator, improving contact between the electrodes and tissue. This pneumatic mechanism eliminates air gaps and prevents tenting by maintaining consistent tissue-applicator contact during high-power electrical energy application.
2Measurement precision
If suction is applied to improve contact between applicator and tissue, then targeting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of suction ports and coupling medium delivery
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated applicator structure: electrodes for electrical energy delivery, suction ports for tissue contact improvement, and coupling medium delivery channels for gap filling. This consolidation achieves high targeting accuracy while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs electrical energy application, suction for contact enhancement, and coupling medium delivery. This universal design allows a single device to achieve multiple objectives (energy delivery, contact improvement, gap elimination) without requiring multiple separate apparatuses.
3Reliability
If force is applied to maintain constant contact between electrodes and tissue, then treatment consistency is improved, but usability deteriorates due to increased force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Suction is used to actively pull the tissue surface toward the applicator, replacing the need for manual pressing force. The negative pressure created by suction maintains constant contact between the electrodes and tissue throughout the treatment, ensuring consistency without requiring the user to apply continuous force, thereby improving usability.
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 enhances the accuracy and consistency of electrical energy application by minimizing arcing and physical trauma, allowing for effective treatment with reduced force requirements and improved usability.
Implementation Method 1
The suction may be coupled with the electrodes, so that contact with the tissue (detected by retracting the electrodes) may trigger the application of suction.
Implementation Method 2
These electrodes, which in some examples may be blunt or otherwise configured not to penetrate the tissue, may have an extended position so that contact with the surface of the tissue may drive the electrodes so that they at least partially retract into the treatment applicator while being driven with constant force against the tissue.
Data Source
AI summary
Treatment applicators and methods including treatment applicators for delivering electrical energy to a target tissue that are configured to reduce or eliminate arcing as well as provide enhance targeting to tissue surfaces or regions just below the surface of the tissue.