Biopsy Tracking Cassette with Coded Zones for Tumor Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biopsy procedures for prostate cancer often result in unnecessary treatment of normal tissues, leading to increased morbidity and costs due to the inability to accurately identify and target specific tumor locations, resulting in inefficient and ineffective therapies.
Innovation Solution
A biopsy tracking system that uses a trocar and stylet to obtain columnar biopsy specimens, which are then differentiated into regions using coded zones in a tracking cassette, and correlated with fiducial markers for precise localization within the target tissue, enabling more informed and targeted medical interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If whole gland uniform treatment is applied, then comprehensive cancer coverage is achieved, but normal tissue exposure and treatment-related morbidity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the prostate gland into multiple discrete treatment zones by inserting separable gel barriers between different anatomical regions. This allows independent treatment of each segment, enabling comprehensive cancer coverage while protecting normal tissues by physically isolating them from treatment beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatially varying treatment conditions through gel barriers with different radiological properties. Some regions receive full treatment dose while others are protected, allowing tailored treatment intensity for each local area based on cancer presence.
2Measurement precision
If precise tumor localization is implemented, then treatment precision improves, but device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fiducial markers as intermediary objects that serve as reference points for tracking biopsy needle positions and correlating pathology results with precise anatomical locations. These markers simplify the complexity by providing easily detectable reference points that mediate between the biopsy system and imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical biopsy procedure by tracking needle positions and correlating them with imaging data. This virtual model allows precise tumor localization without requiring complex physical modifications to the biopsy apparatus itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A biopsy tracking kit includes a trocar, a stylet, a biopsy needle, a biopsy tracking cassette, and a fiducial marker. The trocar has a cannula with a blunt first end and a second end with a cup. The stylet has a conical tip at a first end and a cap on a second end that engages the cup of the trocar and prevents the stylet from falling through the trocar. The biopsy needle is used to obtain biopsy specimens when inserted through the trocar. The biopsy tracking cassette comprises an internal surface with a plurality of coded zones in a single column, and is used to differentiate the biopsy specimen into smaller regions. The fiducial marker is oriented to mark the position where the biopsy specimen was taken. Other systems, devices, and methods of use are also described.