Non-Invasive Lung Denervation via Imaging-Guided Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for lung diseases such as asthma and COPD are often invasive and ineffective for a broad range of patients, as they require surgical denervation of nerves, which poses technical challenges and limitations, especially for pulmonary patients.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using a three-dimensional model of the lung to identify and denervate target nerves through radiation therapy, taking into account the movement of the nerves during breathing cycles, with imaging technologies like CT, MRI, and ultrasound to determine the optimal treatment plan and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical denervation is used to treat lung diseases, then nerve function can be disabled to treat damaged alveoli, but the treatment becomes highly invasive and poses technical challenges especially for pulmonary patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical intervention (physical cutting or ablation of nerves) with a non-invasive radiation-based system. The radiation system uses imaging-guided delivery of energy to denervate target nerves without requiring surgical incisions or direct mechanical contact with the nerve tissue, thereby maintaining treatment efficacy while eliminating surgical invasiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary radiation delivery system that acts as a mediator between the treatment goal and the target nerve. Instead of directly accessing the nerve through surgery, the system uses radiation as an intermediary mechanism to achieve denervation from a distance, combined with imaging technologies to guide the process and ensure precise targeting without invasive procedures
2Reliability
If ablation devices are inserted to denervate nerves, then nerve function can be disabled, but the procedure requires invasive insertion and has weak adoption due to patient infirmity and technical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical ablation device insertion procedure with a non-invasive radiation delivery system. The system uses imaging-guided radiation to achieve denervation without requiring physical insertion of ablation devices, thereby simplifying the overall procedure and reducing technical challenges associated with device insertion, positioning, and manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal treatment platform that combines imaging capabilities with radiation delivery in a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate invasive procedures and complex coordination between different devices, making the treatment more accessible and easier to implement across different clinical settings
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-invasive radiation therapy is used to denervate target nerves, then treatment accessibility is improved for a broader range of patients, but precise targeting requires advanced imaging and treatment planning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary imaging and treatment planning before the actual radiation delivery. The system uses advanced imaging to create a detailed three-dimensional map of the target nerve and surrounding anatomy, and develops a customized treatment plan that accounts for patient-specific anatomy and nerve location. This preliminary preparation ensures precise targeting when the non-invasive radiation is delivered, eliminating the need for invasive verification procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where imaging is used to verify the position and dose delivery during treatment. The system monitors the radiation delivery process and compares it against the planned treatment parameters, allowing for real-time adjustments to ensure precise targeting. This feedback loop maintains high targeting accuracy while keeping the procedure non-invasive and accessible
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
This approach allows for precise and minimally invasive treatment of lung diseases by effectively denervating target nerves without surgical intervention, improving treatment efficacy and accessibility for a wider range of patients.
Implementation Method 1
The three dimensional model is generated from the first set of images captured by one or more imaging device selected from the group consisting of a computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and an ultrasound imaging device.
Implementation Method 2
The three dimensional model is generated from the first set of images captured by one or more imaging device selected from the group consisting of a computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and an ultrasound imaging device.
Implementation Method 3
non-invasively denervating the target nerve includes radiating the amount of energy to the target nerve for the treatment period.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for treating a lung disease including capturing a first set of images of at least a portion of a lung displaying symptoms of a lung disease, generating a three dimensional model from the first set of images, locating a target nerve proximate the portion of the lung, generating a treatment plan, and non-invasively denervating the target nerve based on the treatment plan such that the function of the portion of the lung is affected.