Microwave Tissue Applicator with Vacuum Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy-based therapies for treating tissue have limitations in effectiveness and often result in adverse side effects or discomfort, with a need for improved methods to achieve therapeutic and aesthetic results with minimal discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The use of microwave energy delivered non-invasively to epidermal, dermal, and subdermal tissue through systems and apparatuses that control energy absorption and deposition, employing mechanisms like resistive heating, dielectric heating, and thermal conduction to generate specific absorption rate profiles and temperature gradients, thereby minimizing damage to the skin surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy-based therapies are applied to tissue to achieve therapeutic results, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but adverse side effects and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific absorption rate profiles that concentrate microwave energy deposition in targeted tissue layers (dermis and subcutaneous tissue) while minimizing energy absorption in the epidermis. This is achieved through careful selection of microwave frequency and pulse parameters that exploit the dielectric properties of different tissue layers, allowing therapeutic heating of deep tissues without damaging the skin surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by using pulsed microwave delivery rather than continuous exposure. The microwave energy is delivered in controlled pulses with specific duty cycles, allowing thermal diffusion during off-periods and preventing excessive temperature buildup in the epidermis while maintaining therapeutic temperatures in deeper tissues. This pulsed approach reduces adverse effects while preserving treatment effectiveness.
2Reliability
If microwave energy is delivered to deep tissue layers, then therapeutic outcomes are improved, but skin surface damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing microwave frequency, pulse duration, duty cycle, and power levels to achieve selective heating of deep tissue layers. By adjusting these parameters, the specific absorption rate is maximized in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue while minimizing epidermal heating. The microwave frequency is selected to penetrate through the epidermis with minimal absorption, and pulse parameters are tuned to allow thermal diffusion that protects the skin surface from damage.
3Reliability
If energy absorption is increased to enhance treatment effectiveness, then therapeutic results are improved, but thermal damage to tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed microwave delivery to control thermal accumulation. During the pulse on-time, energy is deposited to heat target tissues; during the off-time, heat diffuses and temperatures equalize, preventing excessive temperature rise. This periodic action allows sustained therapeutic heating of deep tissues over multiple pulses without causing thermal damage, as the duty cycle is optimized to balance energy deposition with thermal diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring tissue temperature or temperature proxies and adjusting microwave delivery parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that therapeutic temperature thresholds are maintained in target tissues while preventing temperatures that would cause thermal damage. The system can modulate pulse duration, power level, or duty cycle based on measured temperature conditions.
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 allows for enhanced therapeutic and aesthetic outcomes with reduced adverse effects by precisely controlling heat distribution within the tissue, ensuring effective treatment while protecting the skin surface from damage.
Implementation Method 1
employing mechanisms like resistive heating, dielectric heating, and thermal conduction to generate specific absorption rate profiles and temperature gradients
Implementation Method 2
employing mechanisms like resistive heating, dielectric heating, and thermal conduction to generate specific absorption rate profiles and temperature gradients
Implementation Method 3
employing mechanisms like resistive heating, dielectric heating, and thermal conduction to generate specific absorption rate profiles and temperature gradients
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.