RF Skin Treatment Apparatus with Isolation and Impedance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fractional skin resurfacing treatments using RF energy often cause discomfort and pain due to undesired current flow and variability in skin impedance, leading to inconsistent treatment results and potential skin damage.
Innovation Solution
An RF skin treatment apparatus with a dome-shaped electrode cluster and a current limiter that isolates the RF energy supply from the body, continuously senses skin impedance, and adjusts or stops the pulse to prevent skin damage, using a low capacitance transformer and high pass filter to reduce pain and electric shock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF energy is applied to the skin for fractional treatment, then skin resurfacing and rejuvenation effects are achieved, but discomfort and pain occur due to undesired current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an isolating transformer as an intermediary device between the RF energy source and the patient's body. This transformer isolates the RF energy supply from the body, allowing beneficial RF energy delivery for skin treatment while blocking harmful current flow that causes pain and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful current flow component from the RF energy delivery system while retaining the beneficial RF energy effects. By taking out the undesired current path through isolation, the system eliminates pain and discomfort while preserving treatment efficacy.
2Manufacturing precision
If RF voltage pulses are applied to ablate skin and form micro holes, then fractional skin treatment is achieved, but current flow through the body causes electric shock and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The isolating transformer acts as a mediator that enables precise RF energy delivery for micro hole formation while preventing harmful current flow through the patient's body, thus eliminating electric shock risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical circuit into isolated sections using the transformer, separating the high-voltage RF generation side from the patient contact side. This segmentation allows precise control for micro hole formation while blocking harmful current paths.
3Productivity
If high voltage RF pulses are used for skin ablation, then treatment speed is improved, but variability in skin impedance leads to inconsistent treatment results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors skin impedance during treatment and automatically adjusts RF energy delivery parameters. This ensures consistent treatment results despite variations in skin impedance, while maintaining high treatment speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts RF energy delivery based on real-time skin impedance measurements. By making the treatment parameters adjustable and responsive to changing conditions, the system maintains both high productivity and treatment consistency.
4Reliability
If RF energy is applied without isolation, then treatment efficacy is achieved, but skin damage may occur due to excessive current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The isolating transformer serves as a protective intermediary that enables effective skin treatment while preventing excessive current flow that could cause skin damage. It allows beneficial RF energy penetration while blocking harmful current paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements protective isolation beforehand to prevent skin damage before it can occur. The transformer provides prior cushioning against excessive current flow, allowing aggressive RF energy delivery for treatment efficacy without the risk of skin damage.
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 effectively reduces pain and electric shock, ensures consistent skin treatment by stabilizing RF current and impedance, and enhances treatment efficacy by delivering controlled RF energy for desired skin effects while preventing skin damage.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus includes a low capacitance transformer that isolates the RF energy supply from the body
Implementation Method 2
A current limiter limits the RF induced current thereby preventing skin damage
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus continuously senses the treated skin segment impedance and varies the RF energy
Implementation Method 4
using a low capacitance transformer and high pass filter to reduce pain and electric shock
Implementation Method 5
Application of a high voltage RF pulse to the electrodes ablates the skin under the respective electrode forming a small hole
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cosmetic RF skin treatment where the RF energy supply is isolated from the patient treated, such that in course of treatment no undesired current flows through the subject body.