Deployable Marker for Lesion Localization in Electroporation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy-based medical treatments, such as electroporation and irreversible electroporation, face challenges in determining appropriate energy parameters and locating treated cells, as the effects on cells may not be detectable for several hours and can be difficult to identify due to the small volume affected.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and system that includes an energy-delivering assembly with a deployable marker and imaging techniques like elastography, magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, or hyperspectral imaging to facilitate the identification, characterization, and location of treated sites, allowing for real-time and post-treatment assessment of treatment protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electroporation or irreversible electroporation is used to treat cells, then non-thermal therapy benefits are achieved, but the treated cells become difficult to locate and identify for several hours after treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a deployable marker at the treatment site before or during energy delivery. This marker remains at the site after treatment, enabling subsequent location and identification of the treated area hours later when the therapeutic effects are no longer detectable by conventional means
Solution Approach 2:
The marker acts as an intermediary between the treatment site and the imaging system. It provides a detectable signal that allows indirect observation of the treatment site without requiring direct detection of the treated cells themselves, which have become undetectable
2Manufacturing precision
If a small volume of cells is treated with energy fields, then precise treatment is achieved, but the treated area becomes difficult to locate and identify
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is deployed at the precise treatment site during or before treatment, marking the exact location of the small treated volume. This allows the precise treatment area to be located later using imaging techniques that detect the marker rather than trying to detect the small treated cells directly
3Reliability
If energy field parameters are adjusted to optimize cell treatment, then treatment effectiveness improves, but the ability to detect and assess treatment results in real-time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is placed before or during treatment to enable subsequent detection. This allows treatment parameters to be optimized for effectiveness without compromising the ability to assess results, as the marker provides a persistent reference for later imaging and measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable marker enables feedback mechanisms by providing a detectable reference at the treatment site. Imaging systems can detect the marker's position and characteristics to assess treatment delivery and results, allowing for real-time and post-treatment evaluation regardless of the energy parameters used
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
Enables precise identification and characterization of treated sites, aiding in the determination of optimal energy application and subsequent treatment protocols, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of energy-based medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
electroporation and/or irreversible electroporation is a non-thermal therapy... Energy may be applied to perform electroporation and/or irreversible electroporation as a mode of treating various conditions and/or diseases using an energy field to interrupt and/or to change the nature of biological cellular matter
Implementation Method 2
imaging techniques like elastography, magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, or hyperspectral imaging to facilitate the identification, characterization, and location of treated sites
Implementation Method 3
imaging techniques like elastography, magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, or hyperspectral imaging to facilitate the identification, characterization, and location of treated sites
Implementation Method 4
imaging techniques like elastography, magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, or hyperspectral imaging to facilitate the identification, characterization, and location of treated sites
Data Source
AI summary
An energy-delivering treatment system facilitating determination of various characteristics of a lesion and/or tissue at a treatment site, such as the size and/or location of the lesion; stiffness and/or elasticity of the tissue; impedance or resistance of the tissue (which may impact the form of energy such as electroporation and/or irreversible electroporation applied to the tissue); and/or the effects of a treatment applied to the lesion. Information gathered regarding the treatment site may be used to aid in predicting and measuring lesions, and/or in determining an appropriate treatment plan on a patient-by-patient basis. Markers may be used to facilitate locating of the treatment site after the energy-delivering assembly has been withdrawn from the treatment site.