Magnetic Microwire Hyperthermia Implant for Orientation-Independent Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hyperthermia implants for treating small tumors or lymph nodes require precise alignment with the magnetic field for optimal heating, which complicates the treatment process and may result in inconsistent or inadequate heating due to unknown orientations post-implantation.

Innovation Solution

A hyperthermia implant system using magnetic microwires with a large Barkhausen jump material, arranged to provide a substantially uniform heat output independent of orientation, comprising multiple wire portions angled at 60° or less relative to the magnetic field, and deployable through a small needle for minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the implant uses a single wire configuration, then the structure is simple, but the heating output varies with orientation relative to the magnetic field

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant structureVSAvoidheating consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The implant divides the single wire into multiple wire portions (at least two) arranged at different angles relative to the magnetic field direction. Each wire portion contributes to heating independently, ensuring that regardless of the implant's orientation, at least one wire portion maintains an angle of 60° or less with the magnetic field, providing consistent heating output without requiring complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the implant is made larger to ensure effective heating, then the heating effectiveness improves, but the implantation trauma and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidimplantation trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant uses a deployable structure that transitions from a compact configuration (for minimally invasive implantation through narrow gauge needles) to an expanded configuration (for effective heating). The wire portions are arranged to achieve the required angular orientation after deployment, ensuring both easy implantation and effective heating without requiring the implant to be large before insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the implant orientation is precisely controlled during implantation, then the heating output is optimized, but the implantation procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating output consistencyVSAvoidimplantation procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant employs wire portions with asymmetric angular arrangements (at least 60° or less relative to the magnetic field direction) that inherently provide orientation-insensitive heating. This asymmetric design ensures that the implant functions effectively regardless of its final orientation in the tissue, eliminating the need for precise orientation control during implantation while maintaining consistent heating output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Reliability

If multiple wire portions are used to ensure orientation-independent heating, then the heating consistency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidwire arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant applies local quality by arranging wire portions with specific angular characteristics (at least one wire portion at 60° or less to the magnetic field) rather than requiring uniform complex structures throughout. This targeted angular arrangement ensures effective heating while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures consistent heating regardless of implant orientation, allowing for effective treatment of small tumors and lymph nodes with reduced trauma and complexity, while maintaining a compact size for easy implantation and removal.

Implementation Method 1

at least one microwire being formed of a large Barkhausen jump material... configured to provide a magnitude of heating that is substantially independent of its orientation with respect to the axis of the magnetic field that is exciting the implant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic losses: Magnetic Hysteresis

Implementation Method 2

at least one microwire being formed of a large Barkhausen jump material... configured to generate a heat output when excited by a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarkhausen jump: Barkhausen Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3990108B1Hyperthermia implants and system for heating the implant

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ENDOMAGNETICS LTD

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AI summary

A hyperthermia implant 20 for hyperthermia treatment of tissue 30 of a human or animal body. The implant comprises at least one piece of a large Barkhausen jump material (LBJ) and a magnetic field may be applied to the implant to heat the surrounding tissue. The implant may also be deployed to mark a tissue site in the body for subsequent surgery, thereby providing a combined system for locating an implant and treating the surrounding area. The system includes a handheld probe 14 to excite the implant below the switching field for bistable switching causing a harmonic response to be generated in a sub-bistable mode that allows the implant to be detected and localised.