Non-Invasive Convergent Heating for Protein Refolding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are limited in effectively targeting and reversing protein misfolding and aggregation, which are central to these conditions, and existing technologies for energy delivery to the CNS are invasive or inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system for localized delivery of non-ionizing energy, including electromagnetic and thermal energy, to enhance protein refolding, immune response, and drug delivery, using phased arrays of microwave antennas and ultrasound to target specific volumes within the body, thereby reversing protein misfolding and enhancing clearance of toxic aggregates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive methods are used to deliver energy to the CNS, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient safety and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical delivery systems with non-invasive electromagnetic energy delivery. Specifically, it uses focused ultrasound waves and microwave radiation to transmit energy through the skull and brain tissue without physical penetration, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while eliminating the harmful effects of invasion such as infection risk, tissue damage, and patient discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields (ultrasound and microwaves) as intermediary carriers to deliver therapeutic energy to the CNS. These intermediaries can penetrate the skull and brain tissue without direct physical contact, acting as a bridge between the external energy source and the target neural tissue, thus resolving the contradiction between effective energy delivery and non-invasive operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive energy delivery is used, then patient safety is improved, but energy localization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phased array technology that divides the energy delivery system into multiple independent transducer elements. By controlling the phase and amplitude of each element individually, the system can focus energy at specific spatial locations within the brain through constructive interference, achieving precise localization without invasive procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses three-dimensional focusing capabilities of phased arrays to achieve precise energy localization. By controlling energy delivery from multiple angles and depths simultaneously, the system creates a focal point in 3D space within the brain, overcoming the limitation of non-invasive approaches and achieving surgical-level precision without physical intrusion
3Reliability
If systemic heating is applied to treat CNS conditions, then treatment coverage is improved, but selective targeting of specific brain regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thermal effects to different brain regions by using focused energy delivery. Specific areas of the brain can be heated to therapeutic temperatures while surrounding tissues remain at normal temperature, enabling localized treatment of CNS conditions without systemic heating and thus achieving both regional precision and adequate treatment coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pulsed or intermittent energy delivery patterns to achieve selective regional heating. By applying energy in controlled pulses with specific duty cycles, the system can accumulate thermal effects in the target region while allowing surrounding tissues to dissipate heat, thereby achieving selective targeting while maintaining adequate treatment coverage through repeated cycles
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 enables non-invasive, targeted therapy that refolds misfolded proteins, enhances immune processing, and improves clearance of toxic proteins, offering a potentially more effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases without the invasiveness of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
A system for localized delivery of non-ionizing energy, including electromagnetic and thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
using phased arrays of microwave antennas and ultrasound to target specific volumes within the body
Implementation Method 3
warming increases kinetic energy disrupting hydrogen and nonpolar covalent bonds, as well as denaturing proteins
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to medical therapy of detrimental lesions. A system treats with non-invasive arrays of non-ionizing energy-radiation sources. The external sources focus energy dose distribution to a selected volume in a body. Energy output is directed towards a pathologic location and quenched around other sites or healthy tissue. Beam aiming is done without source movement. Targeted, volumetrically discrete energy deposition can beneficially manipulate lesions within the body. The purpose of the focused and enhanced energy deposition is to repair or disable pathologic physiology or structures, nerve pathways, extracellular fluid, and misfolded proteins. Locally augmented energy is used to enhance immunity, release pharmaceutical compounds from energy-sensitive vesicles and reconfigure or eliminate misfolded proteins and their aggregates. Targeted tissue may have enhanced sensitivity to received energy via a non-ionizing-radiation, treatment-localizing agent. This system optimizes delivery of non-ionizing, non-ablating electromagnetic or mechanical energy, degrading or repairing an abnormality upon interaction with it.