Conductive Spacer for Uniform Electrical Treatment Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrode assemblies for electrical therapy, particularly those using surface electrodes, fail to effectively distribute high-voltage, short-pulse electrical treatments uniformly to the treatment area, while needle electrodes provide better distribution but are more uncomfortable for patients.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductive spacer between electrodes in the electrode assembly, which can be made from materials like hydrogel, conductive adhesive, or silicone, to enhance electrical contact and distribution, and potentially function as a resistor to match impedance with the pulse generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surface electrodes are used in electrode assemblies, then patient comfort is improved, but electrical treatment distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the surface electrodes and the treatment area. This spacer, made from conductive materials such as hydrogel, conductive adhesive, or silicone, serves as a mediator that improves electrical contact and treatment distribution uniformity while maintaining the non-invasive nature of surface electrodes, thus resolving the contradiction between patient comfort and treatment uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive spacer modifies the electrical parameters (conductivity, contact pressure, contact area) at the interface between electrodes and treatment area. By changing these parameters through the use of conductive materials with specific properties, the system achieves more uniform electrical treatment distribution while keeping the surface electrode configuration that ensures patient comfort.
2Manufacturing precision
If needle electrodes are used to improve electrical treatment distribution, then treatment distribution uniformity is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive spacer acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for needle electrodes by providing sufficient electrical contact and treatment distribution uniformity through surface contact. This mediator component achieves the treatment distribution benefits of needle electrodes without the discomfort of penetration, resolving the contradiction between treatment uniformity and patient comfort.
3Device complexity
If conventional electrode assemblies are used without conductive spacers, then device complexity is reduced, but electrical treatment penetration depth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive spacer serves as an intermediary component that enhances electrical treatment penetration depth by improving contact between electrodes and treatment area. While it does add a component to the assembly, the spacer is a simple element that can be integrated into existing electrode designs, providing significant penetration improvement with minimal increase in overall device complexity.
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 conductive spacer allows for more consistent and deeper penetration of the electrical treatment, reducing the need for multiple needle electrodes and improving patient comfort by ensuring uniform treatment distribution without arcing.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive spacer is positioned between the at least two of the electrodes and configured to electrically contact a surface of the treatment area between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating a conductive spacer between electrodes in the electrode assembly, which can be made from materials like hydrogel, conductive adhesive, or silicone, to enhance electrical contact and distribution, and potentially function as a resistor to match impedance with the pulse generator
Data Source
AI summary
To distribute electrical treatment to a treatment area of a patient, described herein are electrical apparatuses, methods of their operation and methods for delivery of the electrical treatment to the patient. In some embodiments, the treatment applicator comprises an electrode assembly that includes at least two electrodes, and a conductive spacer positioned between the electrodes. Methods of treatment and methods of operation of the apparatuses and systems of the present disclosure are also provided.