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Technology Development
Technology Development
- Applied Research
- Competitive Assessment
- Technology Landscaping
- IP Creation
- Advanced Prototype Development
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Modeling & Simulation
Modeling & Simulation
- Acoustics & Acoustic-Structure Interaction
- Energy-biological Material Interaction
- Medical Device Modeling
- Multiphysics (COMSOL)
- Plasma Modeling
- RF Heating
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Product Development
Product Development
- Definition and Planning
- System Architecture
- Design and Development
- System Verification
- Pilot Production and Manufacturing Transfer
- Post-delivery Support
RF Heating and Ablation
One challenge when using high frequency (GHz) electromagnetic radiation to induce thermal ablation in the surrounding tissue is ensuring that necrosis occurs in a uniform area around the antenna.
Using simulation, we created an antenna topology to show the formation of the necrosis. This animation shows an isosurface, representing the location of the necrosis front, with a three-port antenna at 1[GHz].
In this example, the shape of the inner and outer antenna loops and the applied current on each loop was optimized to achieve maximum uniformity. Additionally, this greatly reduces the risk of inducing unwanted necrosis in areas surrounding a cancerous region.
Figure-iii: Isosurface of the necrotic tissue due to RF heating using an antenna with three independent excitation ports.
Acoustics and Acoustic-Structure Interaction
A common struggle when using acoustic-based imaging and targeting devices on human patients is that constructive interference on the wavefront can lead to regions of very high acoustic intensity, resulting in significant pain for patients. To reduce the acoustic intensity, the wave emitted from the source must create as uniform a field as possible. Typically this requires modeling the pressure waves everywhere and also the shear waves in the plastic applicator that is in contact with the skin.
This represents an acoustic-structure interaction problem, requiring a solution that addresses both the acoustics and the solid mechanics. Using modeling and simulation studies, Tecan designed and optimized the shape of acoustic transducers to ensure field uniformity. The result in medical trials was a reduction in pain and increased target efficiency.
Figure-iv: Acoustic wave propagation through a human body. Different internal organs are shown in the plot on the right. The acoustic pressure is shown on the left. There is a strong reflection off the spine due to the difference in density and sound speed between bone and the surrounding material.
Plasma Modeling
Plasma systems represent a tremendous challenge in all aspects of product design. As highly non-linear systems, their characteristics can transform significantly with just a small change in the electrical excitation.
Most industrial plasmas operate in the MHz range or higher, requiring a matching network in the power supply. Since the plasma impedance is itself a function of the power supplied, coming up with a stable system is difficult. The impedance is also highly dependent on the gas involved along with the frequency and pressure.
Figure-v: PI Matching Network
Tecan has the ability to simulate the coupling between a matching network (such as the PI network shown) and a self-consistent fluid model of the plasma.
The match can then be tested for different combinations of gas, pressure and power to ensure that the prototype power supply can meet specification.
Figure-vi: Plot of the maximum power transfer efficiency and total efficiency vs. frequency for a match with a target operating frequency of 13.56[MHz]. The circuit components are chosen to provide a perfect match at an expected operating condition. Different parameter spaces can then be explored to see if the match will meet the desired specification.
High pressure and high power discharges also present engineering challenges such as thermally induced mechanical failure. A realistic model of the plasma, produced by Tecan and shown in figure-vii, provides an accurate indication of where the heat fluxes to the containing walls are at a maximum.
The pitch and shape of the coil can be revised to redistribute the heat flux to the surfaces, resulting in lower surface temperatures and less chance of catastrophic failure in the quartz tube.
Figure-vii: Electron density in an RF excited inductively coupled plasma operating at 13.56[MHz]. The gas is argon and the color represents the electron density (1/m3) which is very high due to the high power (3[kW]) and high pressure (1[torr]).
Devices such as the one shown in figure-vii, can be used in a variety of chemical processing applications including deposition.
Modeling the creation and agglomeration of particles in a plasma is quite challenging since many competing forces need to be considered; such as the drag force, particle charging, thermophoresis, gravity and lift.
Figure-viii: Plasma enhanced particle deposition of silicon onto a cylindrical surface. The particles are created via chemical processes in the plasma core, then thermophoresis drives the particles from the hot core of the plasma towards the walls, where they deposit. The black contour lines represent the magnetic field lines, the magenta arrows indicate the magnitude and direction of the thermophoretic force, and the particle color corresponds to the gas temperature (red is hot, blue is cold).
App Development
Custom applications are highly useful in better understanding your products. Setting up a full multiphysics model of a complex system is a significant challenge; one requiring expertise in not only the physics, but also operation of the software.
By placing a simple user interface on top of the model with a limited set of inputs, Tecan engineers explore different parametric spaces of a given design without worrying about the underlying physics settings, mesh generation and solver settings.
The resulting application can be an executable file that can be run on any computer without any license requirements.
Figure-ix: Custom application to help better understand an electromagnetic heating device. The underlying model is rather complex. It uses complicated electrical excitation, periodic boundary conditions and a full solution of Maxwell’s equations. In the application, the user can make changes to the geometry, materials and electrical parameters without having to understand the physics, mesh and solver settings. Results are presented in the form of lumped parameters and plots. A comprehensive report can be generated for a given set of input parameters.
DeviceTalks Boston
April 30th – May 1st, 2025 | Boston, MA
Visit Tecan at Booth #623 and join us for a panel discussion on day 1 of this premier MedTech event that connects innovators and industry leaders. Our engineering team will take the stage to share their experience in complex technology development.
Enhancing control precision and accelerating prototype development with modular platforms.
Join our panel April 30th at 11:30AM in Room 162A
DeviceTalks Minnesota
June 11th, 2025 | Minnesota
Tecan is excited to exhibit at DeviceTalk’s Minnesota show this year, and sponsor the Women in MedTech Breakfast, celebrating leadership and diversity in the industry. Don’t miss the chance to connect with our experts and discover how Tecan can accelerate your path to market.
AvaMed The MedTech Conference
June 11th, 2025 | Minnesota
Tecan is heading to The MedTech Conference by AdvaMed, joining MassMEDIC in their pavilion to showcase our commitment to helping our customers advance medical innovation. Stop by to learn how our precision engineering capabilities help bring complex medical devices to life.
RESI Boston
June 16, 2025 | Boston
Tecan is excited to sponsor RESI Boston, a premier event focused on early-stage innovation in MedTech. We’re passionate about supporting emerging technology with the expertise needed to turn bold ideas into breakthrough products.
LSI Europe
September 7 - 11, 2025 | London
Dr. Kevin Dempsey from Tecan Technology Development group, will be presenting and leading a session at the show. Book a meeting at the event to discuss how we can collaborate to transform your vision into a tangible and impactful reality.
Unlock the full potential of pulsed field ablation (PFA) with Tecan
Tapping into Tecan’s expertise in energy and physics accelerates breakthrough PFA technology development for MedTech companies.