Beaded Tumor Markers for Precise Breast Surgery Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for tumor localization in breast cancer surgery, such as skin tattoos and metallic clip markers, are inaccurate and can lead to excessive resection of normal tissue, especially in cases where tumors shrink after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and inverted hookwire needles cause additional trauma and complications.

Innovation Solution

A medical localization and marking device with a beaded structure, featuring a string of uniformly spaced beads and a hook portion, is used to precisely mark the tumor boundary, facilitated by a fixing device and enhanced with fluorescent materials for visualization, allowing accurate resection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If skin tattoos or metallic clip markers are used for tumor localization, then the marking process is simple, but the localization accuracy is insufficient leading to excessive resection of normal tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking process simplicityVSAvoidlocalization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The marker is divided into multiple beads spaced along a string, with each bead representing a specific anatomical landmark. This segmentation allows precise indication of tumor boundaries and surrounding safe zones, enabling accurate resection while preserving normal tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The marker transitions from traditional 2D skin surface markings to 3D intratumoral placement with multiple spatial beads. This dimensional change allows visualization of tumor boundaries in three-dimensional space, significantly improving localization accuracy for deep-seated or small tumors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If inverted hookwire needle localization is performed under ultrasound guidance, then the tumor location can be identified, but it causes additional surgical trauma and complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetumor location identificationVSAvoidsurgical trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The beaded marker is implanted under ultrasound guidance before surgery to establish precise tumor boundaries. This preliminary action eliminates the need for intraoperative repuncturing and hookwire insertion, reducing surgical trauma while maintaining localization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The beaded marker acts as an intermediary that transfers the tumor location information from the ultrasound-guided needle insertion point to the final resection boundaries. This intermediary approach allows accurate localization without the need for multiple invasive procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If metallic clip markers are placed at the edge of the tumor, then the tumor boundary can be indicated, but the markings are dotted rather than lined or planar reducing localization accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarker placementVSAvoidlocalization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple beads are combined along a string to form a continuous linear or planar marker structure. This merging of individual beads creates a continuous indication of tumor boundaries, transforming dotted markings into lines and planes that provide comprehensive localization information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The marker structure evolves from single-point 0D markers to linear 1D and planar 2D configurations through the arrangement of multiple beads. This dimensional progression enables comprehensive boundary indication in multiple directions, significantly improving localization accuracy for complex tumor geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 beaded structure ensures precise tumor resection by facilitating multidirectional marking and localization, reducing surgical trauma, and improving accuracy through visual feedback and infrared detection, suitable for neoadjuvant therapy patients.

Implementation Method 1

enhanced with fluorescent materials for visualization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20250318899A1Medical device with beaded structure for localization and marking

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 XUANWU HOSPITAL OF CAPITAL UNIV OF MEDICAL SCI

AI summary

A medical localization and marking device with a beaded structure is provided, including a long, cylindrical syringe for puncture, a marker for tumor localization, and a fixing device acting between the marker and the syringe. The marker includes a hook portion arranged at a front end of a string of beads, and the string of beads composed of a string and a plurality of beads uniformly fixed on the string and spaced apart from each other. The fixing device includes a fixing block and upper and lower shells that are mutually clamped. A contact surface of the mutually clamped upper and lower shells is provided with an elastic slot corresponding to the string of beads.