Ceramic Applicator for Uniform RF Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy delivery devices for high-frequency tissue treatment face limitations due to the obsolescence of polymeric films used in their applicators, which affect the uniformity and efficiency of energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
An energy delivery device featuring a ceramic substrate with varying thickness, providing a more uniform current density distribution and improved thermal conductivity, along with a ceramic electrode, enhances the delivery of high-frequency energy to the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a polymeric film substrate is used in the applicator, then the device can be manufactured with conventional materials, but the energy delivery uniformity deteriorates and the material becomes obsolete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from polymeric film to ceramic substrate, which fundamentally alters the electrical and thermal properties. This material substitution resolves the obsolescence issue while improving energy delivery uniformity through the ceramic's superior dielectric properties and thermal conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining ceramic substrate with electrode layers. This composite material approach leverages the high dielectric strength and thermal stability of ceramics to achieve uniform energy distribution, replacing the inferior polymeric film while maintaining manufacturability through established ceramic processing techniques.
2Ease of manufacture
If a uniform thickness substrate is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the current density distribution becomes non-uniform causing hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the substrate thickness across different regions. The thickness is designed to be greater at the periphery and smaller toward the center, which locally compensates for the edge effects that cause non-uniform current density. This creates a more uniform current distribution and eliminates hot spots while remaining manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the substrate thickness profile, specifically making the periphery thicker than the center. This asymmetric thickness distribution counteracts the symmetric edge effects in current density distribution, achieving overall uniformity in energy delivery and preventing hot spot formation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a thicker substrate is used at the periphery, then the current density uniformity improves, but the thermal conduction becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the ceramic substrate to balance two competing requirements: sufficient thickness at the periphery to uniform current density distribution, but not so thick as to impede thermal conduction. The specific thickness profile designed achieves this optimization, maintaining effective cooling while ensuring uniform energy delivery.
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 ceramic substrate with varying thickness and high thermal conductivity ensures more uniform energy delivery and tissue heating, reducing hot spots and improving treatment efficacy while maintaining effective cooling of superficial tissues.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate has a thickness that varies as a function of position relative to a plurality of outer edges of the substrate. The ceramic substrate with varying thickness and high thermal conductivity ensures more uniform energy delivery and tissue heating, reducing hot spots
Implementation Method 2
The energy delivery device emits high-frequency electromagnetic energy in the radio-frequency (RF) band of the electromagnetic spectrum for tissue treatment. The high-frequency energy heats tissue beneath the epidermis to a temperature sufficient to denature collagen
Implementation Method 3
The substrate has a thickness that varies as a function of position relative to a plurality of outer edges of the substrate, and the thickness of the substrate is largest near the outer edges. This ensures more uniform current density distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Structures for a bidirectional switch and methods of forming such structures. A substrate contact is formed in a trench defined in a substrate. A substrate includes a trench and a substrate contact in the trench. A bidirectional switch, which is on the substrate, includes a first source/drain electrode, a second source/drain electrode, an extension region between the first source/drain electrode and the second source/drain electrode, and a gate structure. A substrate-bias switch, which is on the substrate, includes a gate structure, a first source/drain electrode coupled to the substrate contact, a second source/drain electrode coupled to the first source/drain electrode of the bidirectional switch, and an extension region laterally between the gate structure and the first source/drain electrode.