Biocompatible Curable Composition for Tumor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy techniques face challenges in accurately tracking tumor movement and distinguishing tumors from surrounding tissues due to limitations in imaging technologies, leading to potential radiation exposure to healthy tissues. Additionally, existing brachytherapy seed attachment methods are fragile and prone to breakage during implantation.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible curable composition comprising an organic polymer with hydrolysable functional groups, metallic nanoparticles, and a solvent that crosslinks upon exposure to moisture to form a three-dimensional cured nanocomposite, which can be used as a minimally invasive MRI-visible marker and brachytherapy seed spacer, enhancing imaging visibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CT imaging is used for tumor tracking, then the imaging system is simple and widely available, but the image quality is insufficient to accurately distinguish tumors from surrounding healthy tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite fiducial markers combining gold shells with magnetic core materials (such as iron oxide nanoparticles). This composite structure provides both high CT visibility (through gold's radiopacity) and MRI detectability (through magnetic properties), enabling accurate tumor tracking across multiple imaging modalities without requiring separate markers for each modality.
2Reliability
If dose escalation is used to improve tumor control, then better tumor control is achieved, but toxicity to adjacent organs at risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple fiducial markers placed at different locations around the tumor (including on the tumor surface and in surrounding tissues). This segmentation allows for precise tracking of tumor boundaries and movement, enabling the radiation therapy system to deliver escalated doses with greater spatial precision and avoid healthy tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical positioning systems with magnetic field-based tracking using magnetic fiducial markers. This allows for real-time, non-contact tracking of tumor position and deformation, enabling dynamic adjustment of radiation beams to maintain precise targeting during treatment despite patient movement or organ deformation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple fiducial markers are implanted for accurate registration, then registration accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the implantation procedure and device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs fiducial markers that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide CT visibility through gold radiopacity, MRI detectability through magnetic core materials, and potential ultrasound detectability through acoustic impedance differences. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate markers for each imaging modality, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high registration accuracy.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional brachytherapy seed attachment methods are used, then the implantation process is simple, but the attachment is fragile and prone to breakage during implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite fiducial markers with gold shells that provide both structural strength and radiopacity. The gold shell acts as a durable encapsulation that protects the internal magnetic core while providing a robust attachment surface for brachytherapy seeds, eliminating the need for separate fragile attachment mechanisms.
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 solution allows for precise tumor tracking and reduced radiation exposure to healthy tissues by providing clear imaging contrast and improved durability of brachytherapy seeds, minimizing breakage and migration during implantation.
Implementation Method 1
imaging the three-dimensional cured nanocomposite by at least one of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, and X-ray
Implementation Method 2
the biocompatible curable composition crosslinks upon exposure to an aqueous solution or moisture to form a three-dimensional cured nanocomposite
Implementation Method 3
which is implanted by a covalent bond to the border of the tumor, the tissue of interest, or both
Data Source
AI summary
A biocompatible curable composition and a method of detecting a border of a tumor, a tissue of interest, or both including injecting the biocompatible curable composition and contacting the border of a tumor or a tissue, the biocompatible curable composition crosslinks to form a three-dimensional cured nanocomposite, and imaging the three-dimensional (3D) cured nanocomposite, and imaging the 3D cured nanocomposite by at least one of MRI, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray, to detect the border of the tumor or the tissue of interest or track tumor motion during radiotherapy treatment. The biocompatible curable composition comprising an organic polymer having a hydrolysable functional group, a metallic nanoparticle, and a polar or a non-polar solvent. A brachytherapy strand consisting of a biocompatible curable composition and a radio-isotope seed. The biocompatible curable composition is shaped into an elongated cylinder and forms a 3D cured nanocomposite with a radio-isotope seed embedded.