Non-Thermal Electroporation Applicator for Scarless Skin Lesion Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for skin disorders such as seborrheic keratosis and skin cancers are invasive, costly, and often require frequent clinical visits, while existing technologies for hyperhidrosis and cosmetic issues like skin wrinkles lack effective, non-invasive solutions.
Innovation Solution
A skin treatment system utilizing non-thermal irreversible or reversible electroporation with a suction head and adjustable electrodes, controlled by a system that delivers direct current energy and vacuum, allowing for precise and painless therapy at home, incorporating sensors for real-time feedback and modulation of energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional invasive treatments (shave removal, excision, cryotherapy) are used for skin disorders, then treatment effectiveness is achieved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate due to invasive nature and requirement for clinical visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive treatment methods (shave removal, excision, cryotherapy) with non-invasive electroporation technology. Electrical fields are applied through the skin to treat conditions like seborrheic keratosis and skin cancers without breaking the skin barrier, eliminating the need for clinical visits and invasive procedures while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (electroporation agent or contrast agent) that facilitates the treatment process. This intermediary enables the electrical fields to effectively target and treat skin disorders while maintaining patient comfort and enabling home use, bridging the gap between effective treatment and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If conventional treatments for skin cancers are used, then treatment effectiveness is achieved, but cost and time consumption worsen due to frequent clinical visits and high annual costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables patients to perform skin cancer treatments at home using the electroporation device. The system includes all necessary components (electrodes, power supply, control interface) for patients to independently administer treatments without requiring frequent visits to dermatologists or clinical facilities, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for preliminary detection and treatment of skin cancers through electroporation-based methods that can identify and treat precancerous or cancerous lesions early. By enabling home-based screening and treatment, the system prevents progression to more severe conditions that would require more intensive and time-consuming clinical interventions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing technologies forhyperhidrosis and cosmetic issues are used, then treatment options are limited, but adaptability and versatility worsen due to lack of effective non-invasive solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a multi-functional electroporation system that can treat diverse skin conditions including hyperhidrosis, cosmetic issues (wrinkles, scars), and skin disorders (seborrheic keratosis, skin cancers). The same basic electroporation mechanism can be adapted for different treatments by adjusting parameters such as pulse duration, intensity, and electrode configuration, providing versatile non-invasive solutions for multiple indications without increasing invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the electroporation process (adjusting voltage, pulse duration, frequency, and energy delivery) to treat different skin conditions with the same device. By modifying these parameters, the system can effectively treat hyperhidrosis, cosmetic issues, and skin disorders non-invasively, enhancing adaptability while maintaining safety and avoiding harmful invasive effects.
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 efficient, scar-less, and cost-effective treatment of skin disorders and cosmetic issues, enhancing compliance and safety through automated therapy delivery and titratable energy, suitable for both in-home and clinical use.
Implementation Method 1
Electroporation is a technology that applies pulsed electrical fields to a target tissue resulting in the formation of pores in the cellular membrane
Implementation Method 2
The controller can be configured to concurrently: (i) provide direct current electroporation energy to the electrodes mounted on the protrusions and (ii) draw a vacuum in the internal space of the suction head
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods can be used to treat dermatologic disorders, hyperhidrosis, and wrinkles using DC electroporation. In some cases, such electroporation is essentially non-thermal modulation that can be used to ablate keratinocyte neoplasms, such as seborrheic keratosis, and other non-keratinocyte derived neoplasms of the skin and adnexal structures and related structures in other anatomic sites. In some implementations, the devices and methods described herein can be used for therapy delivery for the treatment of early or pre-malignant skin cancers. In some implementations, the devices and methods described herein can be used for treatment of hyperhidrosis and cosmetic issues.