Multi-Electrode RF Tissue Treatment Tip for Selectable Depth Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high frequency energy delivery devices for tissue treatment lack the ability to selectively adjust the depth of energy delivery, requiring time-consuming and costly tip changes to alter treatment depths, which limits their application.
Innovation Solution
A treatment apparatus with an electrode assembly featuring multiple electrodes that can be selectively energized to deliver high frequency energy at different depths, allowing for adjustable and variable energy delivery through a single electrode assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple treatment tips are used to deliver energy at different depths, then the treatment depth can be adjusted, but the device complexity and treatment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment tip is segmented into multiple independently controllable electrode segments arranged at different positions. Each segment can be selectively activated to deliver energy at different depths, replacing the need for multiple complete treatment tips while maintaining depth adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A single treatment tip is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating multiple electrode segments that can be selectively activated. This universal design allows one tip to replace multiple specialized tips, delivering energy at various depths without requiring physical tip changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If treatment tips are switched to change electric field characteristics for different depths, then the energy delivery depth can be adjusted, but the treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode configuration is made dynamic through electronic control, allowing real-time switching between different electrode segments during treatment. This enables rapid adjustment of treatment depth without the mechanical time consumption of physically changing tips, as segments can be activated or deactivated instantaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical tip switching system is replaced with an electronic control system that selectively activates different electrode segments. This substitution eliminates the mechanical time required for tip changes, allowing instantaneous reconfiguration of the electric field characteristics through electronic switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If treatment tips are switched to deliver energy at different depths, then the treatment versatility improves, but the treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrode segments that would traditionally require separate treatment tips are merged into a single integrated tip structure. This combined design allows all depth options to be available in one device, eliminating the need to purchase and stock multiple separate tips while maintaining full treatment versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal treatment tip incorporates multiple electrode segments capable of delivering energy at different depths, replacing the need for multiple specialized tips. This multi-functional design reduces the quantity of physical tips required while maintaining the ability to treat at various depths.
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 precise control over energy delivery depths, reducing treatment time and costs by allowing a single electrode assembly to generate various electromagnetic fields for different heating profiles, thereby improving the versatility and effectiveness of non-invasive tissue treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The high frequency energy heats tissue beneath the epidermis to a temperature sufficient to denature collagen
Implementation Method 2
passing high frequency energy through a surface of the skin
Implementation Method 3
The skin is actively cooled to prevent damage to a skin epidermis layer proximate to a treatment tip of the device
Data Source
AI summary
Treatment apparatus and methods for delivering energy at multiple selectable tissue depths as selected by a clinician. The treatment apparatus includes at least two electrodes that are electrically isolated from each other, which permits each electrode to be independently energized for selecting different treatment depths. The electrodes may be concurrently energized with high frequency energy of the same polarity in a monopolar mode to deliver energy at a relatively deep depth into a patient's tissue, or with high frequency energy of a different polarity in a bipolar mode to provide a shallower penetration depth. Alternatively, the depth of energy delivery may be modified by energizing less than all of the electrodes. The electrodes may be energized with high frequency energy of different phase relationships to deliver energy concurrently in both monopolar and bipolar modes with the phase difference determining a depth of energy delivery.