Amorphous Carbon-Supported Lanthanide Oxide Nanoparticles for Radiotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing lanthanide oxide nanoparticles, such as holmium oxide, supported on carbon for radiotherapy are limited by the sensitivity of poly(L-lactic acid) coatings to neutron radiation and the high cost and scalability issues of using carbon nanohorns, which hinder their industrial application and stability under radiation.
Innovation Solution
The development of amorphous carbon-supported nanoparticles of lanthanide oxides, specifically holmium oxide, where the nanoparticles are formed in combination with carbon, allowing for stable and scalable production, and are functionalized for therapeutic applications, including radio-embolization therapy, by impregnating a carbon source with a lanthanide salt solution, drying, and pyrolyzing under inert conditions to create nanoparticles with controlled sizes and homogeneous distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If poly(L-lactic acid) coating is used to make holmium acetylacetonate biocompatible, then biocompatibility is improved, but sensitivity to neutron radiation increases causing damage to the coating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the poly(L-lactic acid) coating from the system and replaces it with amorphous carbon as the support material. This extraction eliminates the neutron radiation sensitivity problem while maintaining the biocompatibility function through the carbon support structure that can hold the holmium oxide nanoparticles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of amorphous carbon support combined with holmium oxide nanoparticles. This composite provides both the structural support needed for biocompatibility and resistance to neutron radiation, as carbon is inherently more stable under neutron irradiation compared to poly(L-lactic acid).
2Reliability
If carbon nanohorns are used to support lanthanide oxide nanoparticles, then nanoparticle support is achieved, but production cost increases and scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive carbon nanohorns with a more economical amorphous carbon material that can be produced through simpler, more scalable methods. The amorphous carbon provides sufficient support functionality for the nanoparticles without the high manufacturing costs associated with carbon nanohorn production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the carbon material from the highly structured carbon nanhorns to amorphous carbon with different structural characteristics. This parameter change maintains the nanoparticle support capability while dramatically improving manufacturability and reducing costs through simpler production processes.
3Reliability
If lanthanide oxide nanoparticles are made very small (10 nm or less), then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of amorphous carbon to support and confine the lanthanide oxide nanoparticles during formation. The porous matrix provides natural templates that guide nanoparticle growth to the desired small size (10 nm or less) while maintaining homogeneous distribution, thereby achieving therapeutic effectiveness with manageable manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pyrolysis temperature and composition parameters as control variables to regulate nanoparticle size. By adjusting these parameters during the thermal treatment process, the nanoparticles are formed in-situ at controlled sizes within the carbon matrix, achieving the required small dimensions with acceptable manufacturing precision through process parameter optimization.
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 amorphous carbon-supported nanoparticles provide a stable and cost-effective solution for radiotherapy, maintaining stability under neutron irradiation and enabling homogeneous distribution for effective tumor treatment, with the ability to be tailored in size and functionalized for enhanced therapeutic use.
Implementation Method 1
impregnating a carbon source material by contacting it with a aqueous solution of a salt of said lanthanide
Implementation Method 2
drying said impregnated carbon source material
Implementation Method 3
subjecting said dried impregnated material to pyrolysis under inert conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to bodies comprising an amorphous carbon particle on which are supported nanoparticles of an oxide of lanthanide. These bodies find use as a pharmaceutical for use in a surgery or therapy and diagnostic methods. The bodies can be made by a process comprising impregnating a carbon source material by contacting it with a solution of a salt of the lanthanide; drying the impregnated carbon source material; and subjecting the dried impregnated material to pyrolysis under inert conditions.