Electric Skin Allergy Test Device With Controlled Pulse Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

The prick test for skin allergy diagnosis faces challenges in standardization due to variability in lancet penetration depth and location, leading to diffusion and contamination issues, and can cause patient anxiety and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

An electric medical device that prints ink marks on the skin and emits a controlled electric pulse to create small surface holes, allowing for precise allergen application and observation of reactions, with adjustable pulse intensity and duration, and a brush dispenser to minimize diffusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a lancet is used to scratch the skin in the prick test, then the allergen can penetrate under the skin surface layers, but the penetration depth and location cannot be standardized by different lancets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration depth standardizationVSAvoidlancet application variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical lancet scratching system with an automated electric pulse delivery system. The electric device prints precise locations on the skin and delivers controlled electric pulses through electrodes, eliminating the variability of manual lancet application while maintaining effective allergen penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary actions by first printing the exact locations where tests will be conducted, then applying allergens to those marked areas, and finally delivering electric pulses at precisely controlled moments. This sequential preliminary positioning ensures standardization before the actual penetration occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If drops of allergen are applied at one point during the prick test, then the allergen can be delivered to the skin, but diffusion and contamination of adjacent application sites occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallergen deliveryVSAvoidapplication site separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the allergen delivery process by printing distinct separated locations on the skin before applying allergens. Each test area is clearly demarcated and isolated, preventing diffusion and contamination between adjacent application sites while ensuring adequate allergen delivery to each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printed marks serve as an intermediary guide layer between the allergen application and the skin surface. These marks define precise boundaries and locations, acting as a mediator that ensures allergens are applied to correct areas without spreading to adjacent sites.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If a lancet is used to penetrate the skin in the prick test, then the allergen can be delivered under the skin, but patient anxiety and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallergen penetrationVSAvoidpatient pain and anxiety
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the painful mechanical lancet penetration with a non-invasive electric pulse delivery system. The electric device uses electrical fields to facilitate allergen penetration through the skin without physical puncture, eliminating pain and bleeding while reducing patient anxiety and belonephobia.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful mechanical puncture into a beneficial electric field application. The electric pulse, which could be harmful at high intensities, is used at controlled levels to achieve gentle, painless allergen delivery while maintaining effective skin penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 device ensures standardized skin allergy testing with reduced procedure time, no pain or bleeding, and decreased anxiety for patients, while allowing for accurate observation of allergic reactions.

Implementation Method 1

the emission of an electric pulse having low voltage and high amperage (ion-carbonation)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon-carbonation: Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3877040B1Electric device for the skin allergy test
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 MEDIFORM ITAL SRL
  • EP3877040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP3877040B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9
  • EP3877040B1 patent drawingFigure 10~12

AI summary

Electric device (100) for the skin allergy test, characterized in that comprising: - a main body (117), where a metaiiic tip (115) is installed on the top of it; - means (50) of generation, transmission and control of an electric pulse, said means (50) being contained inside said main body (117), and being electrically connected to the same tip (115); - an outer nozzle (114), that is made of plastic, having a cylindrical and hollow shape, placed at the top of said main body (117), thai contains said tip (115) inside, so that it is not visible from outside; and including further means with a related tank releasing ink (113), so that said nozzle (114) and said tip (115) are placed in touch with a skin (116), preferably a forearm skin belonging to a person; a series of ink marks, thai are shaped as circular areas (125a, 125b,...), are printed in sequence on the same skin (116); an electric pulse is emitted on command, for each of said circular areas (125a, 125b,...). so that the same pulse emitted from said tip (115) generates a respective small surface hole on the same skin (116).