Expandable Electrode Array for Nonthermal Duodenal Resurfacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treatments for chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity through duodenal resurfacing risk excessive heating and damage to duodenal layers or result in incomplete and uneven treatment.
Innovation Solution
A pulsed electric field system with an expandable member and electrode array is used to treat duodenal tissue, applying therapeutic electric fields to specific tissue depths while preserving the ECM tissue scaffold, promoting rapid epithelial layer replacement with minimal inflammation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermal energy treatments are applied to the duodenum, then tissue treatment is achieved, but excessive heating and damage to duodenal layers occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal energy mechanisms with pulsed electric field mechanisms. The system delivers high-voltage pulsed electric fields through electrode arrays to achieve tissue treatment without thermal heating, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of excessive heating while maintaining treatment effectiveness through electroporation and cellular membrane disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed electric fields with specific pulse durations (microsecond to millisecond range) and frequency patterns. The periodic pulsing allows controlled energy delivery to tissue targets while providing recovery time between pulses, preventing cumulative thermal damage and enabling precise control over treatment depth and intensity
2Reliability
If conventional thermal treatments are used for duodenal resurfacing, then mucosal regeneration is achieved, but the muscularis layer is excessively damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electrode arrays with varying electrode sizes, spacing, and configurations to create non-uniform electric field distributions. This allows selective treatment of the mucosal layer while preserving the muscularis layer, as the electric field intensity can be locally optimized to treat only the target depth without excessive energy penetration to deeper structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls treatment parameters including pulse width, pulse frequency, voltage amplitude, and electrode configuration to precisely regulate energy delivery. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves sufficient treatment of the mucosal layer for regeneration while keeping energy levels below thresholds that would damage the muscularis layer
3Reliability
If conventional treatment systems are used, then treatment is applied to duodenal tissue, but incomplete and uneven treatment results occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment area into multiple zones using arrays of individual electrodes or electrode groups. Each electrode or electrode group can be independently controlled, allowing segmented treatment of different duodenal regions. This segmentation enables comprehensive coverage of the entire duodenal surface while maintaining uniform treatment intensity across all areas through coordinated control of individual electrode segments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-functional treatment system that can treat various portions of the duodenum using the same basic electrode array platform. The system provides both treatment and visualization functions through integrated design, and can adapt to different treatment scenarios (mucosal treatment, deeper tissue treatment) by adjusting electrode configuration and pulse parameters, ensuring complete and uniform treatment coverage
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 system achieves controlled tissue penetration, preserving smooth muscle cells and minimizing trauma to the submucosa and vasculature, promoting rapid healing and reestablishing neuroendocrine cell populations.
Implementation Method 1
applying pulsed or modulated electric field energy to a target tissue
Implementation Method 2
The application of a pulsed electric field to duodenal tissue may affect individual parts or mechanisms within a cell (e.g., depth of tissue treated), that can be specifically targeted based on electrode geometry and the frequency, intensity, and duration of the pulses
Implementation Method 3
The expandable member may be configured to transition between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating tissue. In some variations, a method of treating a target tissue may comprise advancing a tissue treatment system and a visualization device to the target tissue of a patient. The tissue treatment system may comprise a tissue treatment device comprising an elongate body, an expandable member including an electrode array, and a sheath. In a delivery configuration, the expandable member may be disposed in the sheath circumferentially about the visualization device in an unexpanded configuration. The expandable member may be advanced distal to the sheath. The expandable member may be transitioned into an expanded configuration. The target tissue may be treated using the tissue treatment device. The expandable member may be retracted to reposition the system to the delivery configuration.