Variable Frequency Plasma Device for Tissue Treatment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plasma devices lack the ability to effectively control and vary plasma properties for specific tissue treatment applications, such as selective tissue removal and surface modification, due to limitations in adjusting plasma electron temperature and density.
Innovation Solution
A plasma system with a variable frequency energy source and adjustable frequency settings, coupled with a plasma instrument having electrodes and an ionizable media source, allows for the generation of both high-temperature and low-temperature plasmas, enabling precise control over plasma effluent properties for tailored tissue effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If plasma frequency is fixed, then device operation is simplified, but plasma property control and tissue treatment versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable frequency energy source that allows dynamic adjustment of plasma excitation frequency. The system includes a controller that can modify the frequency of energy delivery to the plasma instrument, enabling adaptation of plasma properties (such as electron temperature and reactive species composition) to match different tissue treatment requirements. This dynamic frequency control resolves the contradiction by providing plasma property control while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated control circuitry.
2Productivity
If high frequency energy is applied, then plasma generation is efficient, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed energy delivery to the plasma instrument rather than continuous high-frequency energy application. The controller delivers energy in controlled pulses with adjustable duty cycles, allowing plasma to be generated efficiently during pulse periods while providing cooling intervals between pulses. This periodic action prevents excessive heat accumulation in surrounding tissue while maintaining effective plasma generation during active treatment periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts energy delivery parameters including frequency, power level, and pulse duration based on treatment requirements and real-time plasma characteristics. By modifying these parameters, the system optimizes plasma generation efficiency while controlling thermal effects on surrounding tissue, resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful thermal factors.
3Power
If plasma temperature is increased, then tissue cutting and removal effectiveness improves, but selectivity and precision of tissue modification decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of plasma parameters including temperature and reactive species composition through variable frequency energy delivery. The system can adjust the balance between thermal and non-thermal plasma effects in real-time, allowing high temperature for effective tissue removal when needed while switching to lower temperature, high reactive species plasma for precise tissue modification and surface functionalization. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between power and 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 system enables seamless transition between thermal and non-thermal plasma applications, providing enhanced utility for various medical and surgical procedures, including coagulation, sterilization, and drug delivery with precise control over tissue effects.
Implementation Method 1
supply energy to the first and second electrodes sufficient to ignite ionizable media supplied by the ionizable media source to generate a plasma influent
Implementation Method 2
Electrical discharges in dense media, such as liquids and gases at or near atmospheric pressure, can, under appropriate conditions, result in plasma formation
Implementation Method 3
The plasma species are capable of modifying the chemical nature of tissue surfaces by breaking chemical bonds
Implementation Method 4
substituting or replacing surface-terminating species (e.g., surface functionalization) through volatilization, gasification or dissolution of surface materials (e.g., etching)
Implementation Method 5
substituting or replacing surface-terminating species (e.g., surface functionalization) through volatilization, gasification or dissolution of surface materials (e.g., etching)
Implementation Method 6
Plasmas are also capable of generating photons including energetic ultraviolet photons that have sufficient energy to initiate photochemical and photocatalytic reaction paths in biological and other materials that are irradiated by the plasma photons
Implementation Method 7
Plasmas may remove a distinct upper layer of a workpiece with little or no effect on a separate underlayer of the workpiece or it may be used to selectively remove a particular tissue from a mixed tissue region
Data Source
AI summary
A plasma system is disclosed. The plasma system includes a plasma instrument having an elongated body defining a lumen therethrough and a first electrode and a second electrode; an ionizable media source in fluid communication with the lumen and configured to supply ionizable media thereto; and a variable frequency energy source adapted to be coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to supply energy to the first and second electrodes sufficient to ignite ionizable media supplied by the ionizable media source to generate a plasma influent, wherein a frequency of the energy is adjustable to modify at least one property of the plasma effluent.