Electrochemical Cartilage Reshaping via Potential-Driven Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical methods for reshaping cartilage, such as nasal tip deformity, deviated septum, or protuberant ear, are invasive, causing tissue damage, lengthy healing times, and high financial costs, necessitating the development of alternative, minimally invasive techniques.

Innovation Solution

The use of potential-driven electrochemical modification of tissue (PDEMT) and electromechanical reshaping (EMR) techniques, employing a potentiostat to apply specific electrical potentials to electrodes inserted into the cartilage, optimizing electrochemical reactions for shape change while minimizing tissue damage, using bipotentiostat and polypotentiostat technology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional surgical methods are used to reshape cartilage, then the tissue can be reshaped effectively, but the method causes substantial tissue damage, requires longer healing times, and involves high financial cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue reshaping precisionVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical surgical methods (scalpels, sutures, incisions) with an electrochemical system. Electrodes deliver controlled electrical potentials to induce electrochemical reactions within the cartilage tissue, causing shape change through electrochemically-driven water dissociation and ion migration rather than mechanical cutting or forcing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the tissue by applying specific electrical potentials. By controlling the electrochemical environment through applied voltage, the tissue's water content, ion distribution, and molecular structure are modified, leading to shape change without mechanical trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If conventional surgical methods are used to reshape cartilage, then the desired shape change can be achieved, but the healing time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartilage shapeVSAvoidhealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical surgical methods with electrochemical modification, which acts more gently on the tissue. The electrochemical process modifies tissue properties in situ without creating large wounds or requiring extensive structural disruption, thereby reducing healing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional surgical methods are used to reshape cartilage, then effective treatment can be provided, but the financial cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidfinancial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive mechanical surgical infrastructure with a more economical electrochemical system. The use of electrodes and controlled electrical potentials eliminates the need for extensive surgical equipment, operating rooms, and associated overhead, thereby reducing financial cost while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive techniques are developed to reduce tissue damage, then healing time is reduced, but the complexity of the treatment method increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidtreatment method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electrical potential and electrochemical reactions as intermediaries to achieve tissue modification. Rather than direct mechanical manipulation, the electrical field serves as a mediator that translates into controlled chemical and physical changes within the tissue, enabling minimally invasive treatment with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

These techniques allow for non-thermal, minimally invasive reshaping of cartilage, reducing tissue damage and healing time, and lowering costs, with the potential to become a clinically useful surgical modality for reshaping facial structures, lengthening or tightening ligaments, and correcting vision.

Implementation Method 1

exploiting an electrochemical interaction in the cartilage to shape the cartilage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

potential-driven electromechanical (EMR) and/or potential-driven electrochemical modification of tissue (PDEMT)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromechanical reshaping:

Data Source

PatentUS10939950B2Potential driven electrochemical modification of tissue

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

A method of modifying a tissue includes providing an electrochemical reaction in the tissue by the use of an anodic electrode and a cathodic electrode wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electrodes is in contact with the tissue; and setting a concentration of electrochemically generated chemical agents that affect the tissue.