RF Fractional Device Uniform Thermal Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fractional treatment devices using RF energy suffer from non-uniform thermal effects due to varying distances between electrodes, leading to inconsistent treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A device design where each conductive element is surrounded equally by a return electrode, ensuring uniform thermal effects, with adjustable needle depth and RF energy application methods to optimize treatment efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF energy is applied between a cluster of pins and a large return electrode, then the device can deliver RF energy to multiple conductive elements, but the thermal effect becomes non-uniform because some pins have large distance from return electrode while others are very close
Solution Approach 1:
The return electrode is segmented into multiple separate return electrodes, with each return electrode positioned adjacent to and surrounding specific conductive elements. This segmentation ensures that each conductive element has a consistent, close proximity return electrode, eliminating the non-uniform thermal effect caused by varying distances in traditional single large return electrode designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RF energy is applied between arrays of pins or needles, then fractional treatment can be achieved, but non-symmetrical thermal effect is created that depends on position of pin in the array
Solution Approach 1:
Each conductive element is paired with a dedicated return electrode positioned locally adjacent to it, creating a consistent and symmetric thermal effect around each pin regardless of its position in the array. This local quality approach ensures uniform treatment outcomes across all conductive elements, eliminating the position-dependent thermal variations inherent in traditional array designs.
3Device complexity
If the return electrode is made from one piece with openings for needles, then the structure is simple, but the thermal effect uniformity cannot be guaranteed for all needles
Solution Approach 1:
The return electrode is divided into multiple separate return electrodes rather than using a single piece with openings. Each separate return electrode is positioned adjacent to specific conductive elements, ensuring uniform thermal effects. While this increases structural complexity slightly, it guarantees consistent thermal delivery across all needles, which is critical for treatment precision.
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 solution achieves consistent thermal effects across multiple conductive elements, enhancing treatment uniformity and reducing thermal damage, while allowing for adjustable needle depth and power delivery to accommodate varying tissue types and treatment needs.
Implementation Method 1
RF energy is applied between conductive elements and return electrodes to create an approximately equal thermal effect around each of the conductive elements
Data Source
AI summary
A method for tissue fractional coagulation includes applying a tip of a radio-frequency (RF) device to a treated tissue. The RF device includes a plurality of needles having electrically conductive tips, and the needles are deployed into the treated tissue. A moving mechanism moves the needles so that the tip of each of the needles protrudes distally through spaces in the distal end of the RF device into the treated tissue at least to one depth. An RF voltage is applied between the electrically conductive tips, which are at the one depth, and a return electrode is applied to the skin surface. The needles are retracted out of the treated tissue after RF energy is applied at the at least one depth. The skin surface temperature is reduced using a pre-cooled surface of the device which is in contact with the treated tissue.