Energy-Based Sweat Gland Destruction for Hyperhidrosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for hyperhidrosis, such as antiperspirants, deodorants, surgical methods, and botulinum toxin injections, are either temporary, invasive, costly, or associated with side effects, failing to provide a minimally invasive, long-lasting, and effective solution for reducing sweat production with minimal adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
The development of methods and apparatuses that use energy-based therapies, including microwave, radiofrequency, and cryogenic treatments, to selectively target and disable apocrine and eccrine glands in the dermal and subcutaneous tissue, employing various energy delivery devices and techniques to reduce sweat production while minimizing damage to non-target tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical methods are used to treat hyperhidrosis, then sweat production is reduced, but the treatment becomes invasive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive surgical mechanical removal with non-invasive energy-based thermal treatment. Microwave and radiofrequency energy are delivered through the skin to selectively heat and destroy sweat glands, eliminating the need for surgical incisions and mechanical removal while achieving the same functional outcome of reduced sweat production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controlled thermal parameter changes to achieve treatment. By delivering precise amounts of thermal energy (heat) to specific depth ranges in the skin, the treatment selectively destroys sweat glands without damaging superficial tissue. The thermal parameters (temperature, duration, energy density) are carefully controlled to achieve selective destruction while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If botulinum toxin injections are used, then sweat production is reduced, but the treatment becomes costly and associated with side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the biochemical mechanism of botulinum toxin injections with direct thermal destruction of sweat glands. Instead of injecting a neurotoxin that blocks acetylcholine release, the treatment directly heats and destroys the sweat gland tissue through microwave or radiofrequency energy, eliminating the need for pharmaceutical interventions and their associated side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of uncontrolled thermal damage into a beneficial selective destruction mechanism. By using controlled thermal energy delivery with precise depth control, the treatment achieves selective destruction of sweat glands while protecting superficial tissue, turning what could be harmful heat into a safe and effective treatment mechanism.
3Duration of action of moving object
If antiperspirants and deodorants are used, then sweat production is reduced temporarily, but the effect is not long-lasting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and destroys the sweat gland tissue itself rather than temporarily blocking its function. By removing the functional sweat gland cells through thermal destruction, the treatment provides long-lasting results as the glands cannot regenerate, contrasting with antiperspirants that only temporarily block secretion and require continuous application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuous reduction of sweat production by permanently destroying the sweat glands. Once the thermal treatment is complete and the glands are destroyed, the reduction in sweating is sustained over time without requiring continuous application of external agents, providing long-term effectiveness.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If energy-based therapies are used to target sweat glands, then sweat production is reduced with minimal invasiveness, but precision in targeting is required to avoid damage to non-target tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering energy selectively to specific depth ranges and locations where sweat glands are known to reside. The treatment parameters (energy density, pulse duration, depth of penetration) are optimized for the specific anatomical location, allowing selective destruction of sweat glands while spares superficial tissue such as the epidermis and dermis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic or pulsed energy delivery to achieve selective thermal destruction. By applying energy in controlled pulses rather than continuous exposure, the treatment allows heat buildup in the target sweat glands while preventing excessive temperature rise in superficial tissues, enhancing selective destruction with improved safety.
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
These methods offer a minimally invasive, effective, and long-lasting reduction in sweat production with fewer side effects, capable of treating excessive sweating in specific areas like the axillae, palms, and soles with targeted thermal or energy-based treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a cable electrically connects the device to an energy generator. The device may be placed against or near a target area of a patient's skin and can be configured to deliver microwave energy to a target tissue layer
Implementation Method 2
There are also numerous ways in which thermal energy can be delivered to the target tissue. For example, a device can be inserted through an edge of a skin fold and positioned along the longitudinal axis of the fold. The device can then be used to deliver thermal energy to the target tissue
Implementation Method 3
Cryogenic therapy may also be administered topically to treat target tissue below the surface of the skin
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are provided for reducing sweat production via, for example, the removal, disablement, and incapacitation of sweat glands in the epidermis, dermis and subdermal tissue regions of a patient. In one embodiment, a method of treating a patient is provided which involves identifying a patient having a condition of excessive sweating, positioning an energy delivery device proximate to a skin tissue of the patient and delivering energy to sweat glands to halt secretion of sweat. The energy delivery device may include microwave delivery devices, RF delivery devices, and cryogenic therapy devices. Some embodiments may include using a cooling element for avoiding destruction of non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize treatment at specific portions of the skin fold.