Plasma Tissue Ablation via Capacitive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices for tissue ablation face challenges such as slow treatment times, incomplete treatments, non-uniform ablation depths, and risk of injury to adjacent organs due to inefficiencies in delivering radiofrequency energy.
Innovation Solution
The use of a radiofrequency energy delivery system that ionizes an electrically non-conductive gas to form a plasma, which is then capacitively coupled through a thin dielectric wall to the tissue, allowing for uniform and controlled ablation depths with reduced risk to adjacent organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional solid electrodes or balloon electrodes are used for radiofrequency ablation, then tissue ablation can be achieved, but treatment time is prolonged and ablation depth is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the medium from solid (traditional electrodes) to gas (ionizable gas), and utilizes the transition to plasma state to achieve uniform energy distribution. The gas can penetrate tissue more evenly and the plasma formation provides consistent capacitive coupling across the tissue surface, resulting in uniform ablation depth and faster treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an ionizable gas as an intermediary medium between the electrode and the tissue. This gas serves as a mediator that enables more efficient and uniform energy transfer to the tissue through capacitive coupling when ionized, solving the problems of non-uniform ablation and prolonged treatment time associated with direct solid electrode contact.
2Reliability
If high power radiofrequency energy is delivered to achieve complete ablation, then treatment completeness improves, but risk of injury to adjacent organs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ionizable gas allows for localized energy delivery precisely where needed. The gas can be confined to the treatment area and only ionizes where radiofrequency energy is applied, providing complete ablation of the target tissue while limiting thermal spread to adjacent organs. The gas acts as a contained medium that directs energy locally rather than allowing uncontrolled thermal diffusion.
3Productivity
If traditional electrode designs are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but treatment efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a gas-based system (pneumatic principle) instead of solid electrodes. The ionizable gas can be delivered through catheters or applicators in gaseous form, and its ability to be ionized provides enhanced treatment efficiency. The gas delivery system is relatively simple compared to complex solid electrode arrays, achieving better treatment efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 method enables rapid, uniform tissue ablation with controlled depth and reduced risk to adjacent tissues by effectively delivering radiofrequency energy through a plasma formed in an electrically non-conductive gas, improving treatment efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The gas is ionized to form a plasma, typically by application of a high voltage radiofrequency voltage
Implementation Method 2
the first dielectric becomes ionized, typically forming a gas plasma, and the second dielectric allows current flow to the tissue via capacitive coupling
Implementation Method 3
delivering radiofrequency energy to the surface... the second dielectric allows current flow to the tissue via capacitive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.