Biodegradable RFID Tissue Marker for Lesion Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for marking lesions in body tissue, such as wire guides and active tissue markers, often cause patient stress and require additional surgical procedures for removal, and they may not provide precise localization of lesions during operations.
Innovation Solution
A tissue marker comprising a miniaturized RFID transponder that emits a localization signal in response to electromagnetic radiation, allowing for precise localization without a permanent guide wire and potentially biodegradable for easy removal, along with the ability to transmit sensor data and use multiple markers for accurate lesion delineation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wire guides or active tissue markers are used for lesion localization, then precise localization of lesions is achieved, but patient stress increases and additional surgical procedures for removal are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable tissue markers that automatically decompose in the body after serving their localization purpose. These markers are designed to be temporary rather than permanent, eliminating the need for removal surgery and reducing patient stress while maintaining precise lesion localization capabilities during the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue markers are intentionally designed to be discarded by the body's natural biological processes through biodegradation. After completing their function of marking and localizing the lesion, the markers decompose into harmless substances that are absorbed or eliminated by the body, converting a potential harmful factor (permanent foreign object) into a beneficial outcome (automatic removal)
2Measurement precision
If wire guides are used for lesion marking, then lesion location can be identified, but the guide wire remains in the tissue until completion of therapy and must be removed by separate operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent wire guides with biodegradable markers that serve their purpose temporarily and then automatically decompose. This eliminates the complex removal procedure entirely, as the markers are designed to disappear naturally after therapy completion, simplifying the overall treatment process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic component (permanent wire guide requiring removal surgery) from the treatment system and replaces it with a biodegradable alternative. By taking out the need for surgical removal, the system becomes simpler and less invasive, while maintaining the essential function of lesion localization
3Ease of operation
If active tissue markers with high-frequency resonance circuits are used, then wireless localization is enabled, but the markers remain in body tissue until therapy completion and require separate removal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wireless localization technology with biodegradable materials, creating markers that perform their function wirelessly and then automatically decompose. This maintains the ease of operation benefit (wireless capability) while eliminating the device complexity of removal operations through natural biodegradation
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
Enables precise localization of lesions with minimal patient stress, eliminates the need for post-therapy marker removal, and provides accurate data for surgical procedures, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing patient discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
the transponder can be activated by means of electromagnetic radiation, specifically in such a manner that the transponder emits a localization signal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tissue marker (1, 1′) for marking a lesion (16) in the body tissue (6). The invention is characterized in that the tissue marker (1, 1′) comprises a transponder (2). The transponder (2) can be activated by electromagnetic radiation (8) in such a manner that the transponder (2) emits a localization signal (9) in the form of electromagnetic radiation by means of which the position of the tissue marker (1, 1′) in the body tissue (6) can be detected. The invention further relates to a system for determining the position of such a tissue marker (1, 1′) and to the use of an RFID tag as a tissue marker (1, 1′) for marking a lesion (16) in the body tissue. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tissue marker (1, 1′) is biodegradable.