Planar Evanescent Wave Coupler for Localized Tissue Field Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic devices for biological tissue applications face challenges in localized control of field strength, polarization, and frequency, often requiring large and cumbersome setups with potential tissue damage risks.
Innovation Solution
A planar, conformal antenna system with insulated conductive regions separated by non-conductive gaps, allowing for dynamic control of field strength and polarization without additional apparatuses, operating in a parallel impedance regime to enhance localization and reduce power dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If direct electrodes are used to apply electromagnetic fields to tissues, then electrical current passes directly through tissues, but voltage must be limited to avoid tissue damage and electrical disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces capacitive plates as intermediary elements that are insulated from the skin by non-conductive material. These plates create an electric field within the tissue without requiring direct electrical contact, thereby mediating between the electrical source and the tissue to avoid direct current damage while still delivering therapeutic electromagnetic energy.
2Illumination intensity
If coil devices are used to generate magnetic fields, then magnetic field penetrates tissue, but high current and large coil size are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coil system with capacitive plates that generate electric fields directly. This substitution eliminates the need for large coils and powerful magnetic field sources, using instead a more compact capacitive coupling mechanism that achieves therapeutic effects through electric field induction rather than magnetic field generation.
3Power
If capacitive plates are used to create electric field, then voltage differential determines field strength, but large current can damage tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses insulated capacitive plates as intermediaries that allow voltage differential to create electric fields without direct current flow through the tissue. The insulation layer acts as a mediator that blocks harmful direct current while permitting the beneficial electric field to penetrate the tissue, thereby achieving strong fields without tissue damage.
4Speed
If resonant structures are used to propagate electromagnetic waves, then waves are incident on tissue, but significant gap or insulator is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the insulator gap that is typically required between resonant structures and tissue. By using direct capacitive coupling with insulated plates placed in intimate contact with the tissue, the system removes the need for significant air gaps or insulator layers, thereby improving coupling efficiency and reducing the distance between the energy source and the target tissue.
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 targeted and localized application of electromagnetic fields, reduces side effects, and supports a broad frequency range without additional devices, facilitating easy attachment to various tissue shapes.
Implementation Method 1
the configuration of the pair of planar conductive regions being spatially separated by a non-conductive gap that produces and emits a plurality of evanescent waves within a spatial volume in a vicinity of the biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
the evanescent waves penetrate and couple into the tissue
Implementation Method 3
the insulating material primarily allows a tangential component of the electric field distribution to be incident upon the biological tissue and blocks a normal component of the electric field distribution from being incident upon the biological tissue
Data Source
AI summary
There are many devices that are used to deliver electromagnetic energy to biological tissues. However, physical properties of current techniques limit the strength and efficacy of the applied field. This invention introduces a new apparatus for the application of evanescent waves into biological tissue. The apparatus is planar, conformal, and electrically insulated and is comprised of two or more conductive regions spatially separated by a non-conductive gap insulated by low-dielectric constant, non-conductive material. The apparatus is powered by one or more RF voltage sources that can be applied to individual or several conductive regions to create voltage differentials that generate evanescent waves. The apparatus can be used for treating cancer tumors, deep brain stimulation, and other therapeutic purposes.