Multi-Modal Fiducial Markers for Soft Tissue Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack effective fiducial markers that are detectable via multiple medical imaging technologies for image-guided localization and treatment, particularly in soft tissue, and do not offer customizable or adaptable solutions for various medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiducial markers with configurable connectors and markers that are detectable via multiple imaging modalities, including CT, MRI, x-ray, and ultrasound, which can be implanted in soft tissue and linked using flexible or coil connectors, allowing for customizable properties such as radiopacity, shape, and size, and are compatible with radiation therapy and other medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are made detectable via multiple medical imaging technologies, then measurement precision and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiducial marker is designed with multi-material construction where different portions have different radiopacity properties, enabling the same marker to be detectable across multiple imaging modalities (CT, MRI, x-ray, ultrasound) simultaneously, thus achieving universal detection capability without requiring multiple separate markers
Solution Approach 2:
The marker employs composite material structure with radiopaque portions (detectable via CT and x-ray) and radiolucent portions (detectable via MRI and ultrasound), allowing a single integrated marker to provide detectability across all four imaging technologies through material property differentiation
2Adaptability or versatility
If fiducial markers are made customizable for various procedures, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is divided into distinct segments including radiopaque portions, radiolucent portions, and connector portions that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows customization of each portion's properties to match specific procedural requirements while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The marker design allows dynamic configuration where the presence, shape, size, and arrangement of radiopaque and radiolucent portions can be varied to create different marker variants suitable for different medical procedures, enabling adaptability without requiring completely different marker designs
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
These markers enable precise image-guided localization and treatment by being detectable across various medical imaging technologies, providing customizable options for different procedures and ensuring compatibility with multiple imaging modalities, enhancing the accuracy and adaptability of medical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more markers 102 are configured to be detectable via at least one type of medical imaging
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging fiducial marker includes a plurality of marker structures and a connection structure that linearly, curvilinearly, or angly, affixes the plurality of marker structures. The imaging fiducial marker is formed from materials having at least two different radiopacities. Each different radiopacity is separately distinguishable during medical imaging, and the connection structure is distinguishable from the plurality of marker structures during medical imaging. The imaging fiducial marker is arranged for implantation in vivo within soft tissue. Deploying the imaging fiducial marker includes identifying a soft tissue area in a patient's body where the marker will be placed in vivo and deploying the marker in the identified soft tissue area.