Handheld Magneto-Acoustic Device for Microbubble Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic drug targeting faces challenges in maintaining a sufficient magnetic force over the target region and aligning magnetic and acoustic fields for effective drug delivery, which complicates imaging and reduces treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held device integrating a magnetic element for retaining magnetic microbubbles and an ultrasound element for exciting them, ensuring simultaneous control and alignment of both fields to enhance drug delivery and imaging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate ultrasound transducer is used to apply ultrasonic excitation to microbubbles retained by a magnetic field, then drug release can be achieved, but the geometric alignment of both field sources to the same target becomes difficult and reduces treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnetic element and ultrasound element into a single integrated device housing. The magnetic element is mounted in a first location within the housing, and the ultrasound element is mounted in a second location within the same housing, allowing both fields to be applied simultaneously to the same target region without geometric alignment difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple functions: it generates both magnetic fields (for retaining microbubbles) and acoustic fields (for exciting microbubbles and inducing drug release) from a single handheld unit, eliminating the need for separate field sources and simplifying operation.
2Quantity of substance
If strong magnetic forces are applied to retain microbubbles at the target, then local concentration of microbubbles is increased, but imaging becomes complicated and reliable information gathering is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies ultrasonic excitation in periodic bursts to microbubbles that have been retained by the magnetic field. This periodic acoustic excitation induces drug release at specific intervals while allowing the magnetic retention to maintain high local concentration, and the ultrasound imaging can capture microbubbles during periods when magnetic interference is minimized.
3Productivity
If the ultrasound element is integrated with the magnetic element in a fixed spatial relationship, then simultaneous control of microbubbles by both fields is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows for adjustable positioning of the ultrasound element relative to the magnetic element within the housing. The ultrasound element can be positioned at different locations and orientations to optimize the overlap of acoustic and magnetic fields for different treatment scenarios, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining integration.
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 improves treatment efficacy by maintaining magnetic force during ultrasound-induced drug release, allowing for more effective targeting and imaging of microbubbles, thereby increasing the effectiveness of therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element for providing a magnetic field configured to retain magnetic microbubbles within a target volume
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound element for providing an acoustic field configured to excite the magnetic microbubbles
Implementation Method 3
Ultrasound induced cavitation of drug-loaded microbubbles can also be used as an external trigger to disrupt the microbubble structure for controlled drug release
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(d)
Figure 2~3(d)
Figure 4(a)~4(d)
AI summary
A device for magnetic drug targeting, comprising: a magnetic element for providing a magnetic field configured to retain magnetic microbubbles within a target volume; an ultrasound element for providing an acoustic field configured to excite the magnetic microbubbles while the magnetic microbubbles are retained by the magnetic field within the target volume.