Flexible Tumor Cover with Resistive Heating Coils
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for tumors that are not amenable to resection, such as those with critical blood vessels or nerves, are ineffective in reaching and killing tumor cells at the outer margin due to limited volume of action and difficulty in monitoring treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a flexible cover with transfer elements, such as resistive heating coils, that can be positioned around a tumor to deliver cell-disrupting agents like heat, allowing for controlled treatment of outer tumor regions while protecting surrounding healthy tissue, and optionally using a glove for tactile feedback and electrosurgical assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments are used for unresectable tumors, then the treatment can be applied, but the treatment is ineffective in reaching and killing tumor cells at the outer margin due to limited volume of action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-based or linear treatment approaches to surface-based treatment by applying the flexible cover with heating elements across the outer surface of the tumor. This dimensional change from 0D/1D to 2D treatment area enables comprehensive coverage of the tumor periphery, effectively reaching outer margin cells that previous methods could not access.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover integrates multiple functions into a single device: it provides conformal contact with the tumor surface, delivers thermal energy through embedded heating elements, and allows for monitoring of treatment parameters. This multi-functional integration enables effective treatment of irregularly shaped tumors while maintaining control over the treatment process.
2Reliability
If conventional treatments are used for unresectable tumors, then the treatment can be applied, but there is difficulty in monitoring treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates monitoring capabilities that provide real-time feedback on treatment parameters such as temperature distribution and energy delivery. This feedback mechanism allows clinicians to assess treatment efficacy during the procedure and adjust parameters to ensure complete destruction of tumor cells at the outer margin.
3Area of moving object
If a flexible cover with heating elements is applied around the tumor, then the treatment surface area is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cover made of thin, compliant material that can conform to the tumor surface. This flexible shell approach simplifies the overall device structure compared to rigid alternatives, as it eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms while still achieving comprehensive surface coverage through its ability to adapt to irregular tumor geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements are integrated directly into the flexible cover structure, merging the thermal delivery function with the conformal contact function. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate components and interconnections that would be required if heating elements were applied externally or required separate mounting mechanisms.
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 system enables effective killing of tumor cells at the outer margin with controlled delivery of cell-disrupting agents, providing a larger treatment surface area and potentially shorter treatment times compared to existing methods, while minimizing damage to sensitive structures.
Implementation Method 1
transfer elements, such as resistive heating coils, that can be positioned around a tumor to deliver cell-disrupting agents like heat
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices, systems, and methods are capable of killing tumor cells by delivering cell-disrupting agents into a tumor in an inward direction from a peripheral border about the tumor. In some examples, a covering that includes one or more emissive elements encompasses at least a portion of a tumor such that the emissive element is directed inwardly toward the tumor so as to be able to introduce a cell-disrupting agent into the tumor. In further examples, the covering is incorporated into a glove.