Electrode Arc Mitigation via Dielectric Layer and Air Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-field electric pulses used in electromanipulation of biological tissue are prone to arcing between electrodes, especially when electrodes are not uniformly in contact with the target tissue, making it difficult to prevent arcing, especially with larger electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrodes with an arc mitigating layer, which can be flexible and separated from the electrode surface by a gap, such as an air gap, to reduce arcing during the application of sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy. These electrodes can be designed with rounded edges to further minimize arcing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If higher peak electric fields are used for electromanipulation of biological tissue, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but arcing between electrodes occurs more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the electrode and biological tissue. This dielectric layer prevents direct contact and arcing while still allowing the application of high peak electric fields for effective electromanipulation and treatment of biological tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure is modified by adding a dielectric coating layer, changing the electrical parameters at the electrode-tissue interface. This parameter change allows higher peak electric fields to be applied without causing arcing, as the dielectric layer modifies the electric field distribution and prevents breakdown.
2Area of stationary object
If larger electrodes are used to treat more tissue area, then treatment coverage is improved, but uniform contact with tissue becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer is applied as a thin film coating on the electrode surface. This thin film structure maintains the large electrode area for broad tissue coverage while the coating provides a uniform interface that ensures consistent contact and electric field distribution across the entire electrode surface.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gaps are present between electrode surface and tissue, then arcing is more likely to occur, but flexible dielectric layer can accommodate surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer parameters (thickness, material properties) are optimized to accommodate variations in the electrode-tissue interface geometry. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain arcing prevention even when gaps or surface irregularities are present, as the dielectric layer adapts to the actual contact conditions.
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 described solution effectively prevents or limits arcing between electrodes, allowing for the safe application of high electrical field pulses even with larger electrodes, ensuring effective treatment while maintaining tissue contact.
Implementation Method 1
a layer formed of a material having a conductivity that is less than the electrode surface
Implementation Method 2
The gap region may, in some examples, be an air gap
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for applying electrical energy to a target tissue, including sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy. These methods and apparatuses may prevent or limit arcing and/or maintain adequate contact during treatment while minimizing arcing. For example, described herein are electrodes that have a surface that is covered by an arc mitigating layer. The arc mitigating layer may be separated from the electrode surface by a gap region (e.g., air gap).