Electroporation Device with Adjustable Electrode Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroporation devices cause pain due to high skin impedance, which is associated with the electric field frequency used to create pores in cells for delivering large molecules and ions, leading to discomfort during treatments like cancer therapy.
Innovation Solution
An electroporation device with a potentiometer-controlled power supply and adjustable electrode configuration to maintain an electric field within a predetermined range, reducing pain by adjusting output power based on the cover area of the electrodes and using beat frequencies from combined electrical signals to minimize tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high frequency electric field (e.g., 4000 Hz) is used to reduce skin impedance, then electroporation effectiveness is improved, but patient pain increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses pulsed electric field delivery with variable pulse widths and frequencies rather than continuous high-frequency exposure. The controller delivers electroporation pulses in controlled sequences, allowing tissue recovery between pulses and reducing cumulative pain while maintaining electroporation effectiveness through optimized pulse timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple parameters including frequency, pulse width, and voltage amplitude based on real-time impedance measurements and treatment phase. During different treatment stages (electroporation vs. drug delivery), the controller modifies these parameters to optimize effectiveness while keeping pain levels acceptable, rather than using fixed high-frequency settings throughout.
2Reliability
If high voltage pulses are delivered to achieve strong electroporation effect, then cell permeability is improved, but risk of permanent cell damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs real-time feedback control where the controller monitors tissue impedance changes during pulse delivery and dynamically adjusts subsequent pulse parameters. If impedance changes indicate excessive cell stress or damage, the controller automatically reduces voltage amplitude or increases pulse intervals, creating a self-regulating system that adapts to tissue response and prevents permanent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates impedance sensing that continuously monitors tissue electrical properties during treatment. This feedback information is used by the controller to adjust pulse parameters in real-time, ensuring that electroporation effectiveness is maintained while preventing excessive voltage exposure that could cause permanent cell damage.
3Area of stationary object
If electrode cover area is increased to treat larger treatment zones, then treatment coverage is improved, but output power must be reduced which decreases electroporation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode groups or segments. The controller can activate different segments with different power levels simultaneously, allowing large treatment areas to be covered while maintaining adequate power density in each segment. This segmented approach enables scalable treatment coverage without sacrificing electroporation effectiveness in any given area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrode array can be assigned different power levels and pulse parameters based on local tissue characteristics and treatment requirements. The controller adjusts voltage amplitude and pulse width locally for each electrode or electrode group, ensuring that each area receives optimized power delivery appropriate to its specific needs, thereby maintaining effectiveness across the entire treatment zone.
Data Source
AI summary
An electroporation device produces electric signals that may be adjusted in response to a cover area of electrodes, so that the electric signals are tolerable when delivered to cells within the cover area. The electroporation device can include an applicator, a plurality of electrodes extending from the applicator, a power supply in electrical communication with the electrodes, and a guide member coupled to the electrodes. The electrodes are associated with a cover area. The power supply is configured to generate one or more electroporating signals to cells within the cover area. The guide member can be configured to adjust the cover area of the electrodes. In some embodiments, the electrical signals may include opposing waveforms that produce a resultant interference waveform to effectively target the cover area, and each waveform may be a unipolar waveform or a bipolar waveform.