Non-Thermal Skin Ablation via High Voltage Electrical Pulses

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fractional skin ablation, such as laser and RF energy, suffer from poorly controlled thermal zones leading to skin scarring and discomfort, while irreversible electroporation devices face challenges like electrical shock and air breakdown, limiting their commercial viability.

Innovation Solution

A non-thermal fractional skin ablation method using high voltage (HV) electrical pulses with a matrix of small electrodes and controlled pulse duration and intensity, localized electric field enhancement through electrode curvature, and optional preheating to reduce electroporation threshold, avoiding electrical shock and air breakdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If thermal ablation methods (laser or RF) are used for fractional skin ablation, then skin resurfacing is achieved, but thermal zones overlap causing skin scarring and discoloration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation precisionVSAvoidthermal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal energy delivery systems (laser, RF) with electrical pulse delivery systems. High-voltage electrical pulses are applied through contactless electrodes to induce irreversible electroporation of skin cells, achieving ablation without thermal heating. This substitution eliminates the thermal diffusion problem that causes overlapping thermal zones and skin damage while maintaining precise fractional ablation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If high voltage pulses with duration above 10 microseconds are used for non-invasive tissue treatment, then tissue volume treatment is achieved, but electrical shock occurs making treatment intolerable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment volumeVSAvoidelectrical shock

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic electrical pulses with carefully controlled duration (below 10 microseconds) and frequency. By delivering multiple short pulses in a periodic sequence rather than a single long pulse, the system achieves cumulative treatment effect on tissue volume while keeping each individual pulse too short to trigger dangerous electrical shock or nerve stimulation, making the treatment tolerable without general anesthesia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If short high voltage pulses are used to avoid electrical shock, then treatment comfort is improved, but air breakdown occurs generating plasma that burns the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical shock riskVSAvoidskin burning

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes multiple electrical pulse parameters simultaneously: voltage amplitude (high voltage), pulse duration (short, below 10 microseconds), pulse frequency, and electrode geometry (contactless, parallel plate configuration). This parameter optimization creates a specific electrical field distribution that concentrates energy in the skin tissue while keeping the electric field at the air-skin interface below the breakdown threshold, preventing plasma formation and skin burning while still achieving effective electroporation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If high voltage is applied to achieve irreversible electroporation, then non-thermal ablation is achieved, but arcing around electrode may damage skin surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal effectVSAvoidelectrode arcing

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic electrode-tissue contact interface from the system by implementing a contactless electrode configuration. Parallel plate electrodes are positioned close to the skin surface without direct contact, eliminating the risk of arcing and electrode-induced skin damage. The electrical field penetrates through the air gap to deliver high-voltage pulses to the skin, achieving non-thermal ablation through irreversible electroporation while avoiding all arcing-related harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach provides comfortable and controlled skin ablation with reduced risk of side effects, achieving efficient skin rejuvenation and treatment of wrinkles, scars, and cellulite without the limitations of thermal methods or electrical shock.

Implementation Method 1

The alternative method of skin ablation is irreversible electroporation of the soft tissue that causes non-thermal damage of the cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIrreversible electroporation:

Implementation Method 2

The electric field strength is increased locally by high curvature of the electrode attached to the skin surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field enhancement by curvature:

Implementation Method 3

Pulse duration and intensity of electrical current can be adjusted to provide gentle local skin heating simultaneously with electroporation. This will reduce the electroporation threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8652130B2Method and device for soft tissue ablation

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 INVASIX

AI summary

A method and device for fractional skin treatment. The method includes the application of a HV pulse to the skin surface through an array of pin electrodes.