Dielectric Plasma RF Ablation for Uniform Tissue Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiofrequency ablation technologies for treating internal tissue surfaces face challenges such as slow treatment times, incomplete treatments, non-uniform ablation depths, and risk of injury to adjacent organs.
Innovation Solution
Delivering radiofrequency current through a series of dielectric media, including an ionized electrically non-conductive gas and a thin dielectric wall, to capacitively couple the current to tissue, allowing for uniform ablation depths and reduced risk of adjacent organ injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional radiofrequency ablation electrodes are used, then tissue ablation can be achieved, but treatment time is slow and ablation depth is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the radiofrequency electrode and the tissue. This dielectric layer enables capacitive coupling, allowing RF energy to be delivered more efficiently and uniformly to the tissue surface, thereby reducing treatment time and improving ablation depth uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the system by using a dielectric layer with specific properties (thickness, material composition) to optimize capacitive coupling. This parameter optimization allows for more controlled and uniform energy delivery to the tissue, addressing both treatment time and ablation uniformity issues
2Reliability
If conventional radiofrequency ablation methods are used, then tissue ablation can be performed, but risk of injury to adjacent organs is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer serves as a protective intermediary that controls the delivery of RF energy to the tissue. By managing the capacitive coupling, it prevents excessive energy concentration at the electrode-tissue interface, thereby reducing the risk of injury to adjacent organs while maintaining effective ablation of the target tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric layer provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned between the electrode and tissue before energy delivery. This pre-positioned layer cushions against uncontrolled energy transfer, protecting adjacent structures from thermal and electrical damage while allowing controlled ablation of the intended target
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
Enables rapid, uniform, and controlled ablation of tissue with reduced risk to adjacent organs by using a dielectric structure that ionizes a non-conductive gas to form a plasma, facilitating capacitive coupling and uniform energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The first dielectric medium will usually comprise an electrically non-conductive gas which may be ionized to form a plasma
Implementation Method 2
applying a radiofrequency voltage across the gas and thin wall, where the voltage is sufficient to initiate a plasma in the gas
Implementation Method 3
capacitively couple the current in the gas plasma across the dielectric wall and into the engaged tissue
Implementation Method 4
delivering a radiofrequency current to the tissue in order to heat and usually ablate the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.