Corrugated Stent for Adjustable Brachytherapy Dosage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brachytherapy methods lack the ability to remove or replace radiation sources in situ and adjust geometry and energy according to clinical needs, leading to potential exposure of healthy tissue and under or over dosing, especially in tumors that change shape or size, and require multiple procedures with associated risks.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a reversibly deformable carrier with pleated configuration that supports radioactive seeds, allowing expansion or contraction to maintain optimal proximity to the tumor and facilitate the delivery of medicaments, enabling focalized radiation therapy and adjustment of radiation dosage based on tumor changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If permanent radiation sources are implanted in brachytherapy, then continuous radiation delivery is achieved, but the ability to remove or replace sources in situ is lost and healthy tissue exposure cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed with expandable and contractible capabilities, allowing it to transition between different states. The radiation sources are positioned on the stent structure, enabling them to be moved, removed, or replaced in situ by collapsing the stent, while still providing continuous radiation delivery when expanded. This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction between permanent implantation and adaptability.
2Quantity of substance
If radiation sources are placed close to tumor tissue, then radiation dosage to tumor is increased, but exposure to adjacent healthy tissue also increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent structure with its pleated configuration creates localized radiation delivery zones. The expandable design allows precise positioning of radiation sources adjacent to tumor tissue while the stent's structural geometry controls the radiation distribution pattern, delivering high dosage to the tumor while limiting exposure to healthy tissue through the stent's geometric configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple brachytherapy procedures are performed to treat changing tumors, then treatment adaptability is improved, but procedural risks and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stent device integrates multiple functions into a single implantable structure: it provides structural support, positions radiation sources, and enables both expansion and contraction for source adjustment. This multi-functional design allows treatment adaptability for changing tumors while reducing procedural risks by eliminating the need for multiple separate implantation procedures.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation sources are encapsulated for safety, then radiation containment is improved, but useful exposure range is limited to short distances
Solution Approach 1:
The stent's three-dimensional expandable structure with pleated configuration creates spatial separation between the encapsulated radiation sources and the target tissue. By expanding the stent radially, the device maintains radiation containment within the stent structure while extending the useful exposure range to tumor tissue at a distance, utilizing the third dimension (radial expansion) to resolve the contradiction.
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 solution allows for precise and adjustable delivery of radiation, minimizing exposure to healthy tissue, reducing recurrence risks, and enabling continued therapy as needed, with the ability to remove or replace sources, thus improving treatment efficacy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate is corrugated to define a series of pleats that can be unfolded to expand the radius of the stent
Data Source
AI summary
A material for brachytherapy is provided comprising a substrate having a longitudinal axis and a latitudinal, wherein the substrate comprises alternating peaks and valleys which are parallel to the longitudinal axis, the alternating peaks and valleys defining latitudinally extending pleats; and a plurality of medicament moieties positioned on the peaks and valleys of the substrate.