MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Localized Brain Liquid Biopsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing brain tumors or lesions require invasive surgical biopsies, which carry risks such as bleeding, infection, and the need for general anesthesia, and there is a lack of affordable and high-throughput devices for non-invasive BBB disruption for biomarker release.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using focused ultrasound (FUS) to disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and release biomarkers into the bloodstream for genetic analysis, combined with MRI guidance and genetic testing, utilizing a cost-effective FUS system that can be integrated with MRI scanners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surgical biopsy is used to obtain brain tissue for diagnosis, then diagnostic information can be obtained, but the patient is exposed to surgical risks such as bleeding, infection, and general anesthesia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical biopsy system with an acoustic system using focused ultrasound waves to disrupt the blood-brain barrier and release biomarkers into the bloodstream, eliminating the need for surgical intervention while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microbubbles as an intermediary agent that, when exposed to focused ultrasound, oscillate and disrupt the blood-brain barrier to release biomarkers, serving as a mediator between the ultrasound energy and the barrier disruption process
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-cost specialized devices are used for non-invasive BBB disruption, then surgical risks are eliminated, but the device becomes less accessible and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts existing MRI scanner hardware to perform both imaging and focused ultrasound delivery, allowing a single device to serve multiple functions and eliminating the need for separate specialized BBB disruption equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the MRI imaging system with focused ultrasound capabilities into an integrated platform, merging previously separate functions into one unified device to reduce overall system cost and improve accessibility
3Measurement precision
If invasive surgical biopsy is performed, then localized brain tissue can be obtained, but the procedure requires general anesthesia and carries infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical tissue extraction with acoustic energy delivery that remotely disrupts the blood-brain barrier and releases biomarkers into the bloodstream, eliminating the need for physical tissue removal and associated surgical risks
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 non-invasive, localized, and safe release of biomarkers for brain tumor diagnosis, providing similar diagnostic information as surgical biopsies without surgical risks, and is suitable for clinical and preclinical research.
Implementation Method 1
applying a focused ultrasound (FUS) to the brain or the brain region, wherein the FUS is applied for a period of time and at an acoustic pressure sufficient to disrupt the BBB and release a detectable quantity of a biomarker across the BBB
Implementation Method 2
the FUS is applied for a period of time and at an acoustic pressure sufficient to disrupt the BBB
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a method for diagnosing brain cancer. The method can include applying a focused ultrasound to a brain or brain region of a patient, obtaining a biological sample from the patient, measuring one or more diagnostic fragmentomic features of cfDNA in the biological sample, comparing the one or more diagnostic fragmentomic features to one or more thresholds, and diagnosing the patient with brain cancer when the one or more diagnostic fragmentomic features exceed the one or more thresholds. The focused ultrasound can be operable to disrupt a blood brain barrier of the patient and release cfDNA across the blood brain barrier of the patient. The biological sample can include the cfDNA released across the blood brain barrier.