Patterned Electrode Edge Effect Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cosmetic tissue treatments using high frequency electromagnetic energy suffer from non-uniform tissue heating and associated heat-related pain due to the edge effect at the perimeter of the treatment electrode, which reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
Innovation Solution
The use of a treatment electrode with a conductive layer and varying-sized openings to reduce the edge effect by modulating local capacitance and heating uniformity, achieved through a capacitive transfer of electromagnetic energy with a dielectric layer between the conductive layer and the tissue surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high frequency electromagnetic energy is delivered through a conventional treatment electrode, then tissue heating occurs, but non-uniform heating and heat-related pain occur due to the edge effect at the perimeter
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment electrode incorporates a patterned conductive layer with varying local properties - the conductivity and geometry of the conductive elements are modified at different locations (particularly at the perimeter versus center) to create non-uniform electric field distribution that compensates for the edge effect, achieving more uniform tissue heating across the treatment area
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design changes physical parameters of the conductive layer (such as conductivity distribution, element geometry, spacing, or thickness) across different regions of the electrode surface to modulate the electric field and energy delivery, thereby reducing the edge effect and achieving uniform heating without causing heat-related pain
2Object-affected harmful factors
If treatment level is reduced to alleviate heat-related pain, then patient discomfort is reduced, but average energy density delivered is reduced, lessening treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
By creating localized variations in the conductive layer properties, the electrode delivers energy more uniformly across the treatment area, allowing the entire treatment zone (not just the center) to receive therapeutic energy density, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while reducing peak temperatures that cause pain
3Device complexity
If conventional treatment electrode is used, then simple design is maintained, but edge effect causes non-uniform energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is created with spatially varying properties (such as different conductivity, thickness, or geometry at different locations) to compensate for the edge effect. This can be achieved through patterning techniques that create regions of different conductive element density, size, or shape across the electrode surface
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment electrode uses a composite structure combining conductive and non-conductive materials in a patterned arrangement, where the conductive layer may consist of conductive particles, traces, or geometric shapes embedded in or deposited on a non-conductive substrate, creating the desired non-uniform conductivity distribution
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 results in more consistent tissue heating at a particular depth, reducing patient discomfort and enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of the treatment by delivering a higher average energy density with improved uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
capacitively transferring electromagnetic energy from a conductive layer of the treatment electrode through the dielectric layer to tissue beneath the tissue surface
Implementation Method 2
The transferred electromagnetic energy heats the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems for treating tissue located beneath a tissue surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. The treatment electrode may include a conductive layer and a plurality of openings extending through the conductive layer. The openings may vary in size or area across the conductive layer, and may vary progressively in size or area with location relative to the electrode perimeter.