High-Voltage Minimally Invasive Applicator for Sub-Microsecond Pulsing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices struggle to deliver high-voltage, sub-microsecond electrical pulses minimally invasively without causing tissue damage or adverse effects such as arcing, burns, or cardiac arrhythmias during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

Development of elongate applicator tools with articulable distal ends and adjustable electrode spacing, capable of delivering high-voltage, sub-microsecond electrical pulses through minimally invasive procedures, using a combination of robotic-assisted systems and pulse generators to ensure precise energy delivery while minimizing risk to surrounding tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high voltage electrical pulses are delivered to treat tissue, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but tissue damage and adverse effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic pulsed electrical fields instead of continuous high voltage. The pulsed nature allows the tissue to recover between pulses, preventing cumulative damage while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness. The pulses are delivered in controlled sequences with specific duty cycles to optimize treatment outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes extremely short pulse durations (nanosecond to sub-nanosecond range) combined with high peak voltages. This parameter combination creates a therapeutic window where the electric field is strong enough to induce apoptosis in target cells but brief enough to prevent thermal damage and other adverse effects associated with longer exposure times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high voltage pulses are applied to induce apoptosis in target cells, then cancer treatment is effective, but cardiac arrhythmias and internal-organ damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer treatment effectivenessVSAvoidcardiac arrhythmias

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs focused electrode arrays that concentrate the electric field precisely at the tumor site. By localizing the high-voltage pulse delivery to only the affected tissue, the system induces apoptosis in cancer cells while leaving surrounding healthy organs and tissues, including the heart, unaffected by the high voltage exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses insulated electrodes with controlled geometry as intermediaries to deliver the therapeutic effect. The electrode design includes insulation layers and specific spacing that confine the electric field to the target region, preventing direct exposure of sensitive organs like the heart to high voltage while still achieving the desired therapeutic effect at the tumor site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If high voltage energy is delivered through inserted devices, then treatment can be applied, but electrical shock and burns risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment deliveryVSAvoidelectrical shock and burns

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The use of pulsed rather than continuous high voltage significantly reduces the risk of electrical shock and burns. The extremely short pulse duration means that even if the electrode contacts sensitive structures, the energy delivered is minimal and insufficient to cause thermal burns or sustained electrical shock effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful high voltage into a beneficial therapeutic tool by using it in extremely short pulses. The high peak voltage is necessary to achieve the desired electric field strength for apoptosis induction, but the brief duration prevents the harmful effects of electrical shock and burns that would occur with continuous application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 safe and effective treatment of various conditions, including cancer, by inducing apoptosis in targeted cells without harming normal tissue, through precise control of pulse duration, amplitude, and frequency, reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional high-voltage energy delivery methods.

Implementation Method 1

The voltage induced across a cell membrane may depend on the pulse length and pulse amplitude. Such shorter pulses with a field strength varying in the range, for example, of 10 kV/cm to 100 kV/cm may trigger apoptosis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20230218335A1High-voltage minimally invasive applicator devices for sub-microsecond pulsing

Publication Date: 2023.07.13 PULSE BIOSCIENCES INC

AI summary

Described herein are elongate applicator tools adapted to be inserted into a body to deliver high voltage, sub-microsecond electrical energy to target tissue. These tools may be configured as laparoscopes, endoscopes, and/or catheters. Also disclosed herein systems including these tools and method of their operation.