Coiled Microsphere Delivery Tubing for Consistent Radioembolization Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cancer therapy systems face challenges in delivering consistent dosages of dense radioactive microspheres due to their high density, which causes them to settle out of suspension quickly, and require long, inconvenient fluid lines that occupy significant space in clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A cancer therapy suspension generating system with a coiled, folded, or looped fluid line geometry that maintains dosage consistency by using small inner diameters and efficient space utilization, incorporating valves and pumps to manage microsphere and carrier fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long fluid lines are used to deliver microspheres, then dosage consistency can be maintained, but space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid line is configured in a coiled geometry that utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently. By arranging the tubing in coils rather than extending it linearly, the system maintains the required fluid line length for dosage consistency while occupying minimal floor space in the clinical setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The coiled fluid line geometry allows the tubing to be nested or packed into a compact configuration. The coils can be arranged to fit within a small footprint, effectively hiding the length of the fluid line within a compact volume rather than spreading it out across the available space.
2Reliability
If dense radioactive microspheres are used for cancer therapy, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but they settle out of suspension quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mixing and resuspension actions before and during the delivery process. The pump system can be configured to periodically recirculate the microsphere suspension through the coiled fluid line, preventing settling and maintaining uniform distribution of the dense microspheres throughout the carrier fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static suspension to a dynamic one by using pump-driven circulation. The continuous or periodic movement of the suspension through the coiled tubing prevents gravitational settling and maintains the microspheres in a stable, uniformly distributed state throughout the delivery process.
3Area of stationary object
If small inner diameter tubing is used, then space efficiency is improved, but fluid flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system operates in a periodic or pulsatile manner to drive fluid through the high-resistance small inner diameter tubing. By using periodic pumping actions rather than requiring continuous high pressure, the system overcomes flow resistance while maintaining compact tubing geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by employing a pump to generate the necessary pressure differential for fluid flow through the restricted geometry of the coiled, small-bore tubing. The pump creates controlled pressure zones that facilitate smooth flow through the coils, minimizing turbulence and resistance.
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 system ensures consistent microsphere delivery with reduced space requirements, facilitating convenient clinical use by maintaining microsphere suspension and allowing for accurate dosages without the need for extensive tubing.
Implementation Method 1
a pump. The pump pulls fluid out of the interior volume of the fluid container through the fluid outlet and into the fluid line when the first valve is in an open position and the second valve is in a closed position. The pump pushes fluid out of the fluid line and into the portion of the output line
Implementation Method 2
Existing cancer therapy systems face challenges in delivering consistent dosages of dense radioactive microspheres due to their high density, which causes them to settle out of suspension quickly
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to systems for generating suspensions/mixtures of therapeutic radioactive microspheres and carrier fluid. In an embodiment, a cancer therapy suspension generating system is included having a fluid container defining an interior volume, a fluid outlet out of the interior volume, an output line, and a coiled, looped, and/or folded fluid line. A first valve can be positioned between the fluid outlet and the fluid line while a second valve can be positioned between the fluid line and a distal portion of the output line. A pump can be included that pulls fluid out of the interior volume of the fluid container through the fluid outlet and first portion of the outlet line into the fluid line. Further, the pump pushes fluid out of the fluid line and into the second portion of the output line and onto a fluid delivery catheter. Other embodiments are also included herein.