Shielded Diathermy Applicator with Automatic Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
RF coil diathermy systems face issues with significant electric and magnetic field exposure beyond the target tissue, leading to incidental radiation of energy, affecting both workers and individuals nearby.
Innovation Solution
A radiation-shielded diathermy applicator with a conductive grid and capacitive coupling to the patient's body, utilizing a flexible, insulative substrate with radial fingers and conductive pads to minimize stray radiation by converting RF energy within the target tissue while shielding the surroundings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If RF coils are used to radiate electric and magnetic fields for diathermy treatment, then energy conversion in target tissue is achieved, but significant fields exist at distances away from the coils causing incidental radiation to workers and individuals nearby
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive grid pattern is introduced as an intermediary element between the RF coils and the surrounding environment. This grid acts as a mediator that redirects and contains the RF fields, preventing them from radiating into the surrounding space while maintaining their effectiveness in the target tissue. The conductive grid serves as a field-controlling intermediary that solves the contradiction between delivering power to tissue and preventing incidental radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive grid is implemented as a thin, flexible pattern that can be integrated into the diathermy applicator. This thin conductive structure effectively shields and contains the RF fields without adding significant bulk or rigidity to the device. The flexible nature allows it to conform to the treatment area while maintaining field containment, addressing both the power delivery and radiation shielding requirements.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conductive grid with radial fingers is used to shield radiation, then incidental radiation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive grid is segmented into radial fingers that extend from the center outward. This segmentation allows the grid to effectively capture and redirect RF fields from multiple directions simultaneously. The radial finger design provides a simple yet effective geometric pattern that reduces complexity compared to a full mesh grid, while still achieving comprehensive field containment and radiation shielding.
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 incidental radiation, ensuring consistent energy conversion within the target tissue while protecting non-target areas from RF energy exposure, enhancing safety and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one conductive pad electrically connected to the conductive grid to provide capacitive coupling to the body of the patient
Implementation Method 2
the proximity of the coils to the target tissue results in concentration of the electric and magnetic fields generated by RF excitation of the coils and energy conversion in the tissues near the coils
Implementation Method 3
radiation shielding for shielding the applicator against misapplication of radiation to objects in the surroundings
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator supplying RF power for therapeutic diathermic treatment of a patient includes a radiation shielding device for shielding the applicator against misapplication of radiation to objects in the surroundings and unintended areas of the patient's body, and a coupling device for electrically coupling the radiation shielding device to at least one point of the body of a patient in a low impedance manner that reduces the potential drop from the grounded radiation shield to the body tissue.