Flexible Helical Coil Marker for Soft Tissue Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interstitial markers are inadequate for soft tissues as they lack flexibility, visibility under multiple imaging modalities, and precision in tracking shape changes, leading to misinterpretation of tumor behavior and inaccurate radiation targeting in cancers like breast and prostate cancer.

Innovation Solution

A flexible helical coil marker with a high length-to-diameter ratio, made from biocompatible materials like rhodium or platinum, that can be permanently implanted and visible under X-ray and ultrasound, allowing for precise tracking of organ shape and position changes, and facilitating image fusion across different imaging techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional interstitial markers (seeds) are used, then they can be inserted into soft tissue, but they lack flexibility and cannot accurately track organ shape changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane or shell structure that conforms to the organ's surface, allowing the marker system to adapt to shape changes while maintaining accurate tracking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The marker system transitions from static point markers to a dynamic flexible structure that can deform with the organ, enabling continuous tracking of shape changes rather than just position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If point markers are used, then they can mark specific locations, but they cannot provide detailed knowledge of tissue behavior between markers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition trackingVSAvoidtissue behavior data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible marker is divided into multiple segments or sensing elements distributed across its surface, allowing measurement of position and deformation at multiple points simultaneously to infer tissue behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The marker transitions from zero-dimensional point markers to a two-dimensional flexible surface that can capture spatial distribution of tissue deformation and behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If markers are made visible to X-ray imaging, then they can be seen in mammograms, but they may not be visible under ultrasound imaging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveX-ray visibilityVSAvoidmulti-modality visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible marker incorporates composite materials that provide both radiopacity for X-ray visibility and acoustic impedance differences for ultrasound visibility, enabling detection by multiple imaging modalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The marker is designed with multi-functional properties to be visible across different imaging modalities (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI), making it universally applicable for various treatment planning and verification procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If traditional brachytherapy seeds are used, then they can be implanted into the organ, but they drift away from intended location and give poor ultrasound visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimplantationVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane structure provides larger surface area and better tissue integration, preventing marker drift while maintaining ease of implantation through minimally invasive techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 accurate localization and tracking of soft tissue changes, improving radiation therapy precision and reducing side effects by providing real-time data on organ shape and position, thus enhancing treatment efficacy and patient safety.

Implementation Method 1

They also must be visible under ultrasonoscopy or ultrasonography, and therefore have a good 'echogenicity', i.e. reflect ultrasounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

At least portions of the marker may be made of a radiopaque material. They may be visible under diagnostic x-ray imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8027712B2Elongated markers for soft tissue volume identification

Publication Date: 2011.09.27 IZI MEDICAL PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

The present invention is related to an interstitial marker for localizing an organ, tumor or tumor bed within a mammalian body wherein said marker has a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous intervening length, at least a portion of the intervening length of said marker being visible under at least one imaging modality and having a flexibility such that said marker follows movements and changes of shape of said organ, tumor or tumor bed.