Non-thermal Plasma Treatment Device with Diagnostic Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia are heavily dependent on practitioner skill and experience, leading to inconsistent results due to the inability to visually detect pathological tissue changes, resulting in over-treatment, under-treatment, or irregular treatment.
Innovation Solution
A treatment device comprising a diagnostic device for imaging and identifying tissue pathology, an application device for applying a non-thermal plasma treatment medium, and a navigation device for controlling treatment intensity based on location-specific diagnosis, creating a treatment plan card that guides the practitioner in delivering precise therapy recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If practitioner skill and experience are relied upon for treatment, then treatment flexibility is maintained, but treatment consistency and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy (treatment plan map) of the tissue pathology based on image analysis, which then guides the treatment process. This digital replica allows standardized treatment protocols to be applied consistently while maintaining the ability to adjust based on the specific copied data, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts treatment parameters (energy dose, exposure time, intensity) based on analyzed tissue characteristics and pre-defined treatment protocols. This automated parameter adjustment ensures consistent treatment delivery while allowing flexibility through protocol selection and modification, directly addressing the contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If visual inspection methods are used to identify pathological tissue, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual inspection with automated image analysis using diagnostic devices and software algorithms. This substitution maintains operational simplicity through automated processing while dramatically improving measurement precision in detecting and characterizing pathological tissue, directly resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer (image analysis software and diagnostic devices) between the practitioner and the tissue. This intermediary automatically performs precise measurements and generates treatment recommendations, maintaining simplicity for the practitioner while achieving high measurement precision through automated analysis.
3Ease of operation
If uniform treatment intensity is applied across all tissue areas, then treatment process simplicity is maintained, but treatment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies the principle of local quality by determining treatment parameters based on location-specific tissue characteristics identified through image analysis. Each area receives treatment intensity and duration tailored to its specific pathology, improving treatment effectiveness while maintaining process simplicity through automated localization and parameter assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically changes treatment parameters (intensity, duration, energy dose) based on the specific characteristics of different tissue areas identified in the treatment plan map. This automated parameter variation ensures each area receives appropriate treatment for its condition, improving effectiveness without complicating the treatment process for the practitioner.
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
Enhances treatment effectiveness and patient safety by providing location-dependent therapy recommendations, ensuring consistent and appropriate treatment intensity, reducing the risk of overtreatment or undertreatment, and allowing for real-time adjustment of treatment parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The instrument (19) is an instrument for applying a treatment medium to tissue, in particular an instrument for generating an argon plasma stream. The plasma is preferably not in thermal equilibrium. It preferably has a gas temperature (i.e. temperature of the heavy particles; e.g. argon atoms in the case of an argon plasma) that is significantly lower than the electron temperature
Implementation Method 2
The plasma is preferably not in thermal equilibrium. It preferably has a gas temperature (i.e. temperature of the heavy particles; e.g. argon atoms in the case of an argon plasma) that is significantly lower than the electron temperature, so that human tissue can be contacted by the plasma
Implementation Method 3
The diagnostic device (15) has an image recording device (16) for recording at least one image, an image sequence or a video of the tissue
Implementation Method 4
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasias are typically identified through a staining test, in which the tissue area to be examined is treated with acetic acid solution and then with iodine-potassium iodide solution, resulting in a gradually fading acetic white or iodine-negative staining of the tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
The treatment device according to the invention enables the treatment of tissue with a treatment medium (23) that leaves no immediate tissue trace, both with manual and with machine-assisted instrument guidance, and with adjustment of the treatment plan card based on previous treatments. The treatment plan card represents the treatment instructions for the practitioner. The concept according to the invention allows for adaptation to different patients or patient groups as well as the individualization of the creation of the treatment plan card with regard to the practitioner using it.