Hyperthermic Vessel Treatment Device for Tumor Resection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors often become unresectable due to vascular invasion, particularly involving major arteries like the superior mesenteric artery, making surgical resection risky and ineffective, with current treatments failing to address the challenge of treating tumors adjacent to critical vessels without causing damage to the vessels themselves.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising semi-cylindrical shells with energy sources and temperature sensors, capable of heating tumors adjacent to vessels to hyperthermic temperatures between 37°C and 46°C, allowing for controlled treatment of unresectable tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding anatomical vessels, using resistive heating elements and diffusers to ensure even heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical resection is performed on tumors adjacent to major arteries, then tumor removal is achieved, but risk of arterial injury and thrombosis increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal treatment function from traditional surgical resection. By applying localized hyperthermia to the tumor adjacent to the artery, the treatment separates the tumor destruction process from the mechanical surgical intervention, thereby eliminating the risk of arterial injury while still achieving tumor removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal energy as an intermediary between the surgeon and the tumor. Instead of direct mechanical contact that could injure the artery, heat is delivered through a controlled applicator system that can precisely target the tumor while sparing the adjacent arterial structure.
2Reliability
If thermal energy is applied to heat tumors to hyperthermic temperatures, then tumor growth is diminished or prevented, but risk of damage to surrounding anatomical vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating thermal energy precisely at the tumor site while maintaining different temperature zones. The system creates a localized hyperthermic environment (42-46°C) at the tumor interface with the artery, while the arterial lumen remains at physiological temperature through continuous blood flow, thus treating the tumor without damaging the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the blood flow within the artery as a natural heat sink that cushions the artery from excessive thermal damage. The continuous circulation of cooler blood prevents heat accumulation in the arterial wall, providing a protective effect that allows higher tumor temperatures without vessel injury.
3Productivity
If arterial resection and reconstruction is performed to remove tumors, then tumor clearance is achieved, but morbidity and mortality rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical system (resection and reconstruction) with a thermal energy system. Instead of physically removing the artery and reconstructing it—a complex procedure with high morbidity—the system uses controlled hyperthermia to destroy the tumor in situ, achieving equivalent tumor clearance with minimal impact on patient survival.
4Ease of operation
If grossly positive margins are present after surgical resection, then surgical feasibility is maintained, but tumor recurrence increases and patient survival benefit decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary thermal action to the tumor margins during the same surgical procedure. By delivering hyperthermia to the tumor and adjacent tissues immediately before or after resection, the system ensures complete eradication of residual cancer cells at the margins, preventing recurrence while maintaining surgical feasibility.
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 device effectively diminishes or prevents future tumor growth by heating tumors to specific temperatures, enhancing the resectability of previously unresectable tumors and improving patient prognosis by reducing recurrence rates and surgical risks.
Implementation Method 1
In specific embodiments, the one or more energy sources are resistive heating elements
Implementation Method 2
One or more temperature sensors located on an inner surface of the one or more diffusers and communicatively coupled to the controller
Implementation Method 3
a controller programmed to control operation of the one or more energy sources to heat at least a portion of the anatomical vessel or a tumor adjacent thereto to a hyperthermic temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns hyperthermic devices for treating vascular involvements related to cancer therapies, such as surgery. In specific embodiments, the device is configured to provide therapeutic heating to destroy vessel-encasing tumors while still protecting the vessel itself. In particular embodiments, the devices utilize two opposing semi-cylindrical shells that encase the vessel in need of treatment of a tumor thereon. In other devices, a flexible substrate is guided under and around the vessel and tumor thereon.