Dosimetry Software Tool for Radioembolization Procedure Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices for radioembolization procedures are cumbersome, time-consuming to set up, and limit physician mobility, leading to potential radiation exposure for patients and medical personnel due to inconsistent radioactive compound delivery, which affects treatment efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system for selecting dosimetry levels and sphere amounts using a dosimetry portal with a graphical user interface, allowing physicians to input activity parameters, determine customized activities, and generate sphere and dosage recommendations, thereby streamlining the ordering process and improving delivery precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual manipulation of radioactive material is used, then physicians can control the delivery process, but medical personnel are exposed to radiation and the operating room may be contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of delivery processVSAvoidradiation exposure and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A robotic manipulator system acts as an intermediary between the physician and the radioactive material. The system includes a robotic arm with a gripper that can precisely handle syringes and deliver radioactive compounds through automated control, eliminating the need for manual manipulation by medical personnel while maintaining physician control through a user interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated robotic mechanical system. The robotic manipulator uses controlled mechanical movements to perform tasks that previously required human hands, such as holding syringes, controlling injection rates, and positioning delivery devices, thereby substituting human operators with machine operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple syringes and external tubing are used for radioembolization, then radioactive compound delivery is possible, but the setup procedure becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradioactive compound delivery capabilityVSAvoidsetup procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple separate components (syringes, tubing, delivery mechanisms) into a single integrated radioactive compound delivery system. The robotic manipulator can handle multiple syringes and switch between them automatically, combining what were previously separate manual operations into one unified automated system that reduces setup time and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary setup and configuration automatically before the actual treatment begins. The robotic manipulator pre-positions syringes, pre-configures tubing connections, and pre-programmes delivery sequences, so that when treatment starts, the system is already ready to operate without requiring time-consuming manual setup during the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual syringe administration is used, then radioactive compound delivery is simple, but flow rates and pressures are inconsistent affecting treatment efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery simplicityVSAvoidflow rate and pressure consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic manipulator system incorporates sensors and control algorithms that continuously monitor injection flow rates and pressures. The system uses feedback from these measurements to automatically adjust delivery parameters in real-time, ensuring consistent and precise flow rates and pressures throughout the injection process, thereby eliminating the variability inherent in manual administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual syringe plunger manipulation with an automated robotic actuation system. The robotic manipulator uses controlled mechanical or electrical actuation to push the plunger at precisely controlled rates, substituting the inconsistent human manual pressure application with a programmable, feedback-controlled mechanical system that maintains consistent flow rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11904181B2Systems and methods for use of a dosimetry application software tool to customize dosimetry and sphere selection for radioembolization procedure planning

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for selection of dosimetry levels and sphere amounts of radioactive compounds for use in a radioembolization procedure for procedure planning may include inputting activity parameter information into a dosimetry portal of a dosimetry selection tool; determining a customized activity based on the activity parameter information and one or more customized activity algorithms; generating one or more sphere amount and dosage recommendations based on the customized activity and one or more dosimetry selection algorithms; selecting one of the one or more sphere amount and dosage recommendations as a selected sphere amount and dosage recommendation; and generating a radioactive compound order for the radioembolization procedure based on the customized activity and the selected sphere amount and dosage recommendation.