Customizable Aperture Template Device for Targeted Tissue Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard template grids used in procedures like brachytherapy limit access to areas of interest by restricting needle insertion to predetermined aperture locations, making it difficult for clinicians to reach specific anatomical regions and requiring mental tracking of used apertures to avoid repetition.
Innovation Solution
A target tissue specific template device with customizable aperture locations and sizes, aligned with anatomical tissue images, and a system for marking and tracking aperture usage, allowing precise needle placement and avoiding repeated aperture use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard pattern of apertures is used in the grid, then the grid structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the access to areas of interest is limited and procedural accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grid is configured with apertures of different sizes (first size apertures and second size apertures) at different locations to match specific anatomical features. Larger apertures are positioned for larger anatomical structures while smaller apertures serve smaller target areas, allowing optimal access to different regions of the prostate without requiring a completely custom grid for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid divides the treatment area into multiple zones with different aperture patterns. The first region contains apertures of a first size while the second region contains apertures of a second size, allowing the system to address different anatomical requirements in different segments of the same grid structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If apertures are arranged in a fixed equidistant pattern, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to reach specific anatomical regions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the grid have different aperture spacing and sizing characteristics. The first region has apertures configured for accessing certain anatomical regions while the second region has apertures configured for different access patterns, allowing the grid to maintain manufacturing simplicity while providing region-specific optimization for needle insertion flexibility.
3Device complexity
If a standard grid with uniform apertures is used, then device complexity is reduced, but tracking of used apertures becomes necessary to avoid repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The grid includes visual indicators or markings that change or differentiate based on aperture usage status. This allows clinicians to quickly identify which apertures have already been used during the procedure without requiring mental tracking, reducing the risk of repeating procedures and improving workflow efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A subject target tissue specific template device (300) that includes a block of material (302) and a plurality of apertures (310) in the material. An aperture of the plurality of apertures is located in the block of material at a location that corresponds to an area of interest identified in an image of an anatomical region of interest of a subject and transferred to an image of block of material with no aperture, which is geometrically aligned with the image of the anatomical region of interest of the subject. A method includes aligning, with a computing system, an image of anatomical tissue of interest with an image of a grid, marking at least one area of interest of tissue of interest within the image of tissue of interest, transferring the marking to the image of the grid, and saving the image of a grid with the marking as a file in an electronic format.