High-Pressure Radioactive Tumor Delivery Through Nested Bronchoscopic Needles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapies for non-small cell lung cancer, particularly those targeting deeper anatomical locations, face challenges in achieving targeted and effective delivery of radioactive materials due to their location in smaller bronchial branches.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a needle device with a shaft and a slidable needle, coupled with a pressure source, is used to inject a radioactive deliverable into target tumors through a bronchoscope, facilitated by echogenic features and ultrasound guidance for precise navigation and high-pressure delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional therapy methods are used for deeper anatomical locations, then treatment coverage is limited, but delivery precision and effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The needle device is nested within the delivery device, allowing the needle to be advanced through the delivery device's working channel to reach deeper anatomical locations while maintaining precise control. The radioactive deliverable is then injected through the needle's channel, creating a nested delivery system that overcomes the limitation of conventional therapy methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle device acts as an intermediary between the delivery device and the target tumor, enabling precise delivery of radioactive materials to deeper anatomical locations that would be inaccessible to conventional therapy methods while maintaining delivery precision through the needle's controlled advancement and positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If high pressure is applied to inject radioactive deliverable, then injection depth and dispersion are improved, but leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure parameter is dynamically adjusted during injection to achieve the desired balance between injection depth and leakage prevention. The pressure source applies controlled pressure that can be modulated based on real-time feedback, allowing the system to maintain reliable containment while achieving sufficient injection depth and proper dispersion of the radioactive deliverable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor injection progress and adjust pressure accordingly. This feedback control allows the pressure to be increased to achieve desired injection depth and dispersion while automatically reducing pressure when approaching the leakage threshold, thus maintaining reliability throughout the injection process.
3Manufacturing precision
If needle is extended to pierce target tumor, then delivery accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into modular components: the delivery device with working channel, the needle device with shaft and needle, and the pressure source. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall device architecture and reducing complexity compared to a fully integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is designed to be dynamically extendable from the shaft, transitioning from a retracted state during delivery to an extended state during injection. This dynamic configuration allows the needle to reach the target tumor with high precision while maintaining a compact profile during navigation, thereby reducing device complexity during non-active phases.
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 precise, high-pressure injection of radioactive materials into tumors, ensuring desired depth and dispersion while minimizing leakage, thereby enhancing targeted cancer treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure source configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the needle to apply a pressure through the channel of the needle that is sufficient to inject the radioactive deliverable through the channel and into the target tumor
Implementation Method 2
the shaft includes an ultrasound transducer extending distally from the distal end thereof
Implementation Method 3
the shaft includes echogenic features along an exterior surface of a distal portion of the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a device, a radioactive deliverable and a pressure source. The device includes a shaft and a needle received therein. The needle extends longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and is slidably received within a channel of the shaft. The needle is movable between an insertion configuration, in which a tip at the distal end thereof is housed within the channel of the shaft, and a piercing configuration, in which the needle is moved distally relative to the shaft so that the tip extends distally from the channel of the shaft to pierce a target tumor. The deliverable is inserted into a channel of the needle. The source is coupled to the proximal end of the needle to apply a pressure through the channel of the needle that is sufficient to inject the deliverable through the channel and into the tumor.