Microwave Wound Disinfection via Antenna Array Near-Field Combination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for disinfecting wounds and treating microbial infections, such as chronic wounds and surgical site infections, often damage healthy tissue and are not effective in penetrating deep enough to inactivate pathogens like bacteria and fungi, leading to increased treatment costs and patient suffering.

Innovation Solution

A microwave device with a radiation pad containing an array of antennas that transmits continuous-wave microwave signals to inactivate microbial pathogens by inducing resonance in the surrounding water molecules, using low-power levels that are safe for human tissue, allowing for effective disinfection without harming healthy tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microwave thermal heating techniques are used to inactivate microbial pathogens, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but power levels required are dangerous or unhealthy to human tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen inactivation effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to healthy tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation pad is divided into an array of multiple antennas that transmit continuous-wave microwave signals. By segmenting the microwave source into multiple lower-power antennas arranged in a specific geometry, the system achieves cumulative pathogen inactivation through near-field signal combination while maintaining safe power density levels for human tissue exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If UV irradiation is used to disinfect wounds, then surface disinfection is achieved, but penetration depth is insufficient to reach deep-seated pathogens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface disinfection effectivenessVSAvoidpenetration depth into tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces UV irradiation (optical mechanism) with continuous-wave microwave transmission (electromagnetic mechanism). Microwaves penetrate deeper into biological tissue compared to UV light, enabling effective pathogen inactivation at deeper tissue levels while the array geometry ensures sufficient field intensity through constructive near-field combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If chemical inactivation treatments are applied to wounds, then microbial pathogens are eliminated, but healthy tissue is poisoned or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen elimination effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity to healthy tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical inactivation (chemical mechanism) with microwave field application (electromagnetic mechanism). The continuous-wave microwave signals inactivate microbial pathogens through thermal and non-thermal effects while maintaining power levels safe for human tissue, thereby eliminating the toxicity problem associated with chemical treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 microwave device achieves significant reduction in microbial pathogens, including bacteria and fungi, with low-power microwave energy, ensuring safety and efficacy in wound treatment while avoiding damage to human tissue, thus providing a cost-effective solution for wound management.

Implementation Method 1

Each antenna is arranged in the radiation pad so that as the radiation pad is positioned adjacent to a treatment area of the human being the continuous-wave microwave signals from the array of antennas combine in the near field in the treatment area to inactivate microbial pathogens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

transmits continuous-wave microwave signals to inactivate microbial pathogens by inducing resonance in the surrounding water molecules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

transmits continuous-wave microwave signals to inactivate microbial pathogens by inducing resonance in the surrounding water molecules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230146285A1Wound Disinfection System

Publication Date: 2023.05.11 MOHAMADI FARROKH

AI summary

A microwave device for a disinfection treatment of a human being is disclosed. The microwave device includes a radiation pad including an array of antennas and a microwave generator configured to excite the array of antennas to cause each antenna in the array of antennas to transmit a continuous-wave microwave signal. Each antenna is arranged in the radiation pad so that as the radiation pad is positioned adjacent a treatment area of the human being the continuous-wave microwave signals from the array of antennas combine in the near field in the treatment area to inactivate microbial pathogens comprising bacteria or fungus.