Dynamic Magnetic Fields for Deep Tumor Targeting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic drug delivery methods are ineffective in targeting deep tissue tumors due to the limitations of static magnetic fields, which cannot safely exceed 1-8 Tesla for human application, restricting treatment to areas within 5 centimeters of the skin surface, and fail to effectively confine therapeutic agents to deep regions like the lungs, intestines, or liver.
Innovation Solution
The development of methods and systems that utilize shaped magnetic fields, dynamically controlled in space and time, to direct and contain magnetizable objects within specific target volumes deep inside the body, overcoming the limitations of static magnetic fields by creating a stable equilibrium and allowing for regional targeting and sweeping of therapeutic agents to hard-to-reach metastases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static magnetic fields of 1-8 Tesla are used for human application, then safety is maintained, but the treatment depth is limited to within 5 centimeters of the skin surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic magnetic fields that vary in strength and orientation over time, allowing the magnetic field to be dynamically adjusted to achieve deeper tissue penetration while maintaining safety limits. The time-varying field enables cumulative heating effects that can treat deeper structures without exceeding instantaneous safety thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed magnetic field application, where the field is applied in cycles with varying intensity. This periodic action allows thermal accumulation in deep tissues over multiple cycles while maintaining safe instantaneous field strengths, effectively overcoming the 5 cm depth limitation of static fields.
2Reliability
If high dosage chemotherapeutic agents are used to effectively treat malignant cells, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but systemic toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers chemotherapeutic agents with localized properties to specific tumor sites using magnetic targeting. The magnetic field concentrates the therapeutic agents precisely at the tumor location, creating high local concentration for effective treatment while maintaining low systemic concentration to minimize toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic particles as intermediaries to carry chemotherapeutic agents to the target site. These magnetic carriers act as mediators between the administered drug and the tumor, enabling controlled delivery and release at the specific target location while reducing exposure to healthy tissues.
3Length of stationary object
If magnetic fields are increased beyond 1-8 Tesla to treat deep tissue tumors, then treatment depth is improved, but safety constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic magnetic fields that change strength and orientation over time, allowing deeper penetration through cumulative thermal effects while maintaining instantaneous field strengths within safety limits. The time-varying nature enables treatment of deep tissues without violating safety constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits thermal phase changes and heating effects that accumulate over time from repeated or continuous exposure to time-varying magnetic fields. This allows deep tissue treatment through thermal mechanisms rather than direct high-field exposure, bypassing the safety limitations of static high-field application.
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 approach enables the effective targeting and treatment of deep tissue tumors by concentrating therapeutic agents within specific anatomical regions, such as the upper torso for breast cancer, while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing systemic side effects.
Implementation Method 1
utilize shaped magnetic fields, dynamically controlled in space and time, to direct and contain magnetizable objects within specific target volumes deep inside the body
Implementation Method 2
direct and contain magnetizable objects within specific target volumes
Implementation Method 3
concentrating therapeutic agents within specific anatomical regions
Implementation Method 4
contain magnetizable therapeutic, diagnostic or prophylactic agents in a target volume
Implementation Method 5
move such magnetizable agents through a target volume within a patient's body
Implementation Method 6
sweeping of therapeutic agents to hard-to-reach metastases
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for directing magnetizable particles comprising therapeutic agents to a target volume, or for guiding magnetizable particles comprising therapeutic agents from a first target volume to a second target volume, at a distance using a magnetic field, to enable the treatment of diseased areas including areas deep inside a patient's body. The methods may be used to diagnose or treat diseased areas within a patient, for example tumors of the lungs, intestines, and liver, and is also useful in enhancing the permeability of solid tumors to chemotherapeutic agents.