Multi-segmented inflatable brachytherapy device tissue displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Brachytherapy procedures face challenges in minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues due to the proximity of radioactive sources to tumors, leading to potential radionecrosis and uneven dose distribution, as existing methods struggle to effectively move tissues away from radiation sources during treatment.

Innovation Solution

The development of multi-segmented inflatable brachytherapy devices with selectively inflatable segments that can be filled with fluid to move tissues away from radiation sources, allowing for more precise positioning of the radiation source closer to the tumor while reducing exposure to critical normal structures, and enabling accurate repositioning without the need for repeated imaging and treatment planning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the radiation source is placed close to the tumor for effective treatment, then the radiation dose to the tumor is improved, but the radiation exposure to healthy tissues increases causing radionecrosis and hot-spots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation dose distributionVSAvoidradiation exposure to healthy tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple independently controllable inflatable segments along the catheter. Each segment can be inflated to different degrees to create localized tissue displacement, allowing precise control over which healthy tissues are moved away from radiation sources while maintaining close proximity to the tumor for effective treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable segments provide dynamic adjustment capability during the brachytherapy procedure. The operator can inflate or deflate segments in real-time based on imaging feedback and treatment planning, enabling adaptive repositioning of tissues to optimize the radiation dose distribution and minimize exposure to healthy structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If tissues are moved away from radiation sources using inflatable devices, then radiation exposure to healthy tissues is reduced, but the device complexity increases with multiple segments and lumens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposure to healthy tissuesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs nested lumens where secondary lumens are positioned within primary lumens of the inflatable segments. This nested configuration allows multiple functions (inflation, deflation, fluid delivery) to be integrated within a compact structure, reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining the capability to move tissues away from radiation sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable segments serve multiple functions: they act as displacement mechanisms to move healthy tissues away from radiation sources, provide structural support for catheter positioning, and enable repositioning of the applicator without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If repeated imaging and treatment planning is performed for repositioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the treatment time and loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables preliminary repositioning actions to be performed during the treatment procedure itself, rather than requiring completion of the entire procedure followed by separate repositioning sessions. The inflatable segments can be adjusted in real-time based on initial imaging, allowing corrections to be made before radiation delivery is finalized, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy without requiring repeated full treatment cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 use of multi-segmented inflatable devices effectively reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissues by moving them into a region of shallow dose gradient, minimizing the risk of hot-spots and radionecrosis, while allowing for precise repositioning of the applicator without the need for repeated imaging and treatment planning.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second segments are selectively inflatable by delivery of fluid into each lumen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure expansion: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9962559B2Multi-segmented inflatable brachytherapy devices, systems, and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2018.05.08 H LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER & RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC

AI summary

Provided are multi-segmented inflatable brachytherapy devices. Also provided are systems and methods including multi-segmented inflatable brachytherapy devices.