Microneedle RF Electrode with Vacuum Skin Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablative fractional devices for skin rejuvenation, such as those using laser and radio frequency (RF) energy, face challenges in achieving uniform and effective treatment due to reliance on mechanical pressure and potential for collateral thermal damage, limiting the depth and consistency of skin penetration.
Innovation Solution
A handpiece with a microneedle electrode and a vacuum chamber that applies RF energy to the skin, using negative pressure to compress the skin tissue and enhance penetration, while the microneedle's insulated shaft and flat tip design minimizes thermal damage and allows for deeper, longer channels without mechanical insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If mechanical pressure is used to compress skin tissue for treatment, then penetration depth is improved, but collateral thermal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure application with a vacuum system that creates negative pressure to draw skin tissue into contact with the treatment electrode. This substitution reduces mechanical force application while achieving the same tissue compression and penetration depth, thereby minimizing collateral thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from positive mechanical pressure to negative vacuum pressure. This parameter change allows tissue compression and penetration without the excessive force that causes thermal damage, achieving deeper penetration with controlled energy delivery.
2Productivity
If RF energy is applied to achieve skin rejuvenation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies RF energy locally through microneedle electrodes that deliver energy precisely to targeted skin channels. The insulated shaft design ensures energy is delivered only at the treatment site (tip), while surrounding tissue remains unaffected. This localized energy application improves treatment effectiveness while minimizing collateral thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment is divided into multiple discrete microneedle channels rather than applying energy across the entire skin surface. This segmentation allows controlled energy delivery through individual pathways, improving treatment effectiveness while limiting thermal spread to surrounding healthy tissue.
3Manufacturing precision
If microneedle penetration is used to deliver RF energy, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated handpiece: the vacuum chamber, microneedle electrode array, and RF energy delivery system are merged into one device. This integration achieves precise treatment through microneedles while reducing overall device complexity compared to separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The handpiece is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides vacuum suction for tissue compression, mechanical penetration through microneedles, and RF energy delivery. This universality reduces the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining treatment precision.
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 solution enables deeper and more consistent skin penetration with reduced collateral thermal damage, achieving effective skin rejuvenation and longer channel formation than traditional methods, while requiring less energy and causing less discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum chamber is configured to exert a negative pressure force on a surface of the skin tissue towards the at least one first electrode to compress and draw the skin tissue towards the at least one second electrode
Implementation Method 2
the apparatus is configured to apply radio frequency (RF) energy to the skin tissue
Implementation Method 3
the microneedle's insulated shaft and flat tip design minimizes thermal damage
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (1) for fractional treatment of skin tissue of a patient. The apparatus (1) comprises a handpiece with a housing, at least one first electrode (11) and at least one second electrode (15) located on a distal end of the handpiece and an energy source, which is connected to said at least one first (11) and said at least one second (15) electrode. The apparatus (1) is adapted for applying radio frequency (RF) energy to the tissue. The at least one second electrode (15) is arranged on a base plate (13) and the at least one first electrode (11) is or comprises a pin or a needle (11), in particular a microneedle, which penetrates the base plate (13) through a through hole (17). The apparatus (1) further comprises a vacuum chamber (9) behind the base plate (13) and inside of the housing of the handpiece, which is in fluid communication with the at least one through hole (17) provided in the base plate (13) for exerting attraction onto a surface (33) of the skin tissue towards the at least one first electrode (11) and towards the at least one second electrode (15), when the first electrode (11) and the at least one second electrode (15) is placed in proximity of or is touching the surface (33) of the tissue.