Catheter-Based Cell Therapy Delivery with Fluoroscopic Dispersion Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering cell therapy to cardiac tissues, such as for treating congestive heart failure and post-myocardial infarction, face challenges in accurately targeting and covering the target site with therapeutic agents, as existing technologies lack efficient visualization and dispersion area determination techniques.
Innovation Solution
A method involving obtaining a base image of the target site, injecting a mix of therapeutic and contrast agents, collecting fluoroscopic images to determine the contrast agent dispersion area, and marking the therapeutic agent dispersion area, with repeated injections to ensure substantial coverage of the target site using a catheter-based delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catheter-based delivery of cells is used to treat cardiac conditions, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but accurate targeting and coverage of the target site is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A contrast agent is introduced as an intermediary substance mixed with the cell therapy formulation. This contrast agent serves as a visible marker that allows real-time visualization of the therapeutic agent's dispersion path and distribution area through fluoroscopic imaging, enabling precise tracking and measurement of delivery accuracy without interfering with the therapeutic cells themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The contrast agent produces visible changes in radiopacity under fluoroscopic imaging, creating a distinguishable visual signal that outlines the dispersion cloud of the therapeutic agent. This visual enhancement allows operators to precisely measure and monitor the spread of cells through real-time imaging, transforming invisible cellular dispersion into a visible, measurable phenomenon
2Ease of operation
If traditional cell delivery methods are used without imaging guidance, then the procedure is simpler, but the dispersion area coverage is insufficient and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously capturing fluoroscopic images during and after injection, processing these images to determine the actual dispersion area of the contrast agent, and comparing this measured area against the desired target coverage. This feedback loop allows operators to adjust injection parameters and repeat injections as needed to achieve adequate target site coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Before the actual cell delivery, the system performs preliminary imaging and measurement to determine the dispersion characteristics of the contrast agent. This preliminary action allows for prediction of the therapeutic agent's spread pattern, enabling planning of optimal injection locations and doses to ensure comprehensive target coverage
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
This approach allows for precise and comprehensive delivery of therapeutic agents to cardiac tissues, ensuring effective coverage of the target area by interactively determining and marking the therapeutic agent dispersion regions, thereby enhancing the therapeutic impact on cardiac conditions.
Implementation Method 1
collecting sequential fluoroscopic images of a contrast agent dispersion cloud at the first injection location
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering therapy to a target site. The method includes (a) obtaining a base image of the target site, (b) injecting a dose of a mix of a therapeutic agent and a contrast agent into a first injection location at the target site via a needle passing through a catheter, (c) collecting sequential fluoroscopic images of a contrast agent dispersion cloud at the first injection location, (d) determining a contrast agent dispersion area from the sequential fluoroscopic images, (e) determining a therapeutic agent dispersion area from the contrast agent dispersion area, (f) marking the therapeutic agent dispersion area on the base image of the target site, and (g) repeating (b) through (f) until the target site is substantially covered with overlapping therapeutic agent dispersion areas corresponding to a plurality of injections at a plurality of injection locations at the target site.