Nanosecond Pulse Tissue Marking for Lesion Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for skin lesions, such as basal cell carcinomas and warts, often require substantial tissue removal and have limited effectiveness in preventing lesion growth or reducing volume.
Innovation Solution
A system that delivers electrical nanopulses with durations of 1,000 nanoseconds or less, using a pulse generator and electrode configuration to form an electric field of at least 1 kV/cm, which can prevent lesion growth and reduce volume by applying pulses with amplitudes of 1 kV or more, potentially clearing the lesion without substantial tissue removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments for skin lesions are used, then lesion growth is prevented, but substantial tissue removal is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using ultra-short nanosecond pulses with extremely high peak electric fields (10-100 kV/cm) that are fundamentally different from conventional continuous or long-pulse treatments. This parameter change enables selective interaction with intracellular structures while sparing extracellular matrix, achieving lesion destruction without substantial tissue removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by targeting specific intracellular structures (nuclei, mitochondria) with high-field nanosecond pulses while leaving surrounding healthy tissue and extracellular matrix intact. The selective electroperturbation of malignant cells versus normal cells creates localized treatment effects with minimal collateral tissue loss
2Reliability
If longer electric pulses are used, then cell membrane pores are opened leading to cell death, but permanent membrane damage and extensive tissue destruction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic nanosecond pulses delivered in trains or sequences to achieve cumulative electroperturbation effects. The periodic application allows for controlled intracellular damage accumulation while the brief pulse duration prevents excessive thermal or mechanical damage to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies ultra-short nanosecond pulses that rush through the cell membrane and intracellular structures before significant thermal diffusion or mechanical stress can occur. This skipping approach delivers the necessary electroperturbation energy while avoiding the harmful thermal and mechanical effects associated with longer pulse durations
3Manufacturing precision
If higher amplitude and shorter electric pulses are used, then intracellular structures are manipulated, but precise delivery and positioning become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conductive gels or coupling media as intermediaries between the electrode array and skin surface, ensuring uniform electric field distribution and precise energy delivery to targeted lesions. These intermediaries facilitate the complex high-field nanosecond pulse delivery while simplifying the operational process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary marking or mapping of lesion boundaries and electrode placement guidelines before treatment. This preliminary action ensures precise positioning of the electrode array and accurate delivery of high-field nanosecond pulses to the intended target areas, making the complex procedure more manageable
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 system effectively prevents lesion growth and reduces skin lesion volume by 30% to 80% within eight days, with the potential to clear the lesion in most cases, offering a non-invasive treatment alternative to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
Ultra-short, high-field strength electric pulses may be used in the electroperturbation of biological cells
Implementation Method 2
Pulses much shorter than about 1 microsecond may affect the cell interior without adversely or permanently affecting the outer cell membrane. Such shorter pulses with a field strength in the range of 10 kV/cm to 100 kV/cm may trigger apoptosis or programmed cell death
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an in vivo treatment of tissue, for example, a skin lesion of a mammal comprising application of electrical energy to the skin lesion in a form of electrical pulses. At least one electrical pulse is applied. The pulse duration may be at least 1 nanosecond. Surface of a tissue surrounding the skin lesion may be marked to guide the device to deliver the electric pulses at substantially precise locations on the lesion surface. This treatment may prevent at least growth of the lesion.