Expandable Tissue Cavity Marker Preventing Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiopaque markers used in tissue cavities after biopsy or lumpectomy procedures are small and prone to migration, failing to fully define the cavity walls and requiring larger support structures that cannot be delivered via minimally invasive incisions, which are uncomfortable for patients and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Expandable tissue cavity markers with a pouch that transitions from a compressed state for delivery to an expanded state within the cavity, retaining a fill material and incorporating radiopaque markers to securely mark the cavity, utilizing a deployment device to facilitate minimally invasive placement and prevent migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional small radiopaque markers are used, then the markers can be easily delivered through minimally invasive incisions, but the markers migrate within the cavity and cannot fully define the cavity walls
Solution Approach 1:
The marker device transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state after deployment. The expandable pouch is delivered in a compressed configuration through the minimally invasive incision, then expanded within the cavity to achieve full cavity wall definition and marker stability, resolving the contradiction between deliverability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable pouch is nested within a deployment device during delivery. The pouch is contained within the delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing it to pass through the minimally invasive incision, then deployed and expanded at the target site to achieve its full functional size for cavity definition
2Reliability
If large support structure devices are used to fill the cavity volume, then the markers can fully define the cavity walls, but the devices cannot be delivered via minimally invasive incisions and are uncomfortable for patients
Solution Approach 1:
The device exhibits dynamic size transformation, being delivered in a compressed state through minimally invasive incisions and then expanded to a large size within the cavity to fully define cavity walls. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction between deliverability and cavity wall definition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch expands in three dimensions after deployment, transitioning from a linear compressed configuration suitable for delivery to a volumetric expanded configuration that fills the cavity and defines all cavity walls, achieving both minimally invasive delivery and complete cavity marking
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 expandable markers effectively fill and define the tissue cavity, preventing marker migration and providing a secure, comfortable, and minimally invasive solution for marking and potential radiation therapy targets, reducing the need for additional surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
injection of a fill material into the expandable pouch causes the expandable pouch to transition from the compressed state to the expanded state
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to expandable tissue cavity markers and corresponding systems and deployment methods. In one embodiment, an expandable tissue cavity marker comprises a pouch and at least one radiopaque marker element. The pouch can transition between a compressed state, in which a profile or dimension of the tissue cavity marker is reduced such that the tissue cavity marker can be deployed through a minimally invasive surgical procedure incision, and an expanded state, in which a profile or dimension of the tissue cavity marker is increased such that the tissue cavity marker fills or defines a volume of a tissue cavity. In one embodiment, the pouch can be transformed between the compressed state and the expanded state by delivery of a fill material into the pouch. The pouch can comprise one or more functional materials in embodiments, including materials that provide an anti-infection, hemostasis, anti-migration, medicinal, or other function to the tissue cavity marker.