Precise ablation treatment of cancer using the synergetic effects of electromagnetic radiation with nanoparticles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cancer ablation technologies are invasive, lack selectivity, require image guidance, and cause damage to surrounding healthy tissue, with high energy consumption and limited penetration depth, making them unsuitable for non-surgical treatment.
Innovation Solution
A combination of microwave and radio frequency radiation with magnetic nanoparticles is used to selectively ablate tumors, utilizing RF coils and microwave antennas to generate synergistic heating effects, minimizing damage to healthy tissue without the need for image guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If invasive applicators are used for ablation, then energy transmission efficiency is improved, but selectivity in treating the tumor deteriorates and surrounding healthy tissue is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nanoparticles as an intermediary substance that accumulates selectively in the tumor. These nanoparticles serve as a mediator between the electromagnetic radiation and the tumor tissue, absorbing the energy and converting it to heat locally within the tumor cells, thereby achieving selective ablation without damaging surrounding healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the nanoparticle distribution non-uniform - high concentration in the tumor region and low or zero concentration in surrounding healthy tissue. This creates a localized heating effect where only the tumor area experiences significant temperature rise from electromagnetic radiation absorption, while surrounding tissue remains unaffected.
2Manufacturing precision
If invasive applicators are placed inside the tumor, then treatment precision is improved, but the need for image guidance increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to be self-service by using the tumor's own characteristics (nanoparticle accumulation) as the targeting mechanism. The nanoparticles naturally accumulate in the tumor through enhanced permeability and retention effects, eliminating the need for external image guidance systems to locate and guide applicator placement. The tumor essentially guides its own treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/image-guidance system with an electromagnetic field-based approach. Instead of physically guiding applicators using imaging modalities, the system uses electromagnetic radiation that is selectively absorbed by nanoparticles in the tumor, achieving precision through electromagnetic interaction rather than mechanical placement guidance.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional ablation devices are used, then treatment coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The nanoparticles act as efficient energy intermediaries that concentrate electromagnetic radiation energy within the tumor. This intermediary mechanism allows for highly efficient energy transfer directly to the tumor cells, reducing the total energy consumption compared to conventional methods that require high power levels to achieve the same treatment effect without such concentrated absorption.
4Use of energy by moving object
If microwave radiation is used for ablation, then energy efficiency is improved, but penetration depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nanoparticles serve as intermediaries that enhance the interaction between microwave radiation and tumor tissue. By accumulating in the tumor, they create localized pathways for microwave energy absorption, effectively overcoming the limited penetration depth constraint and enabling efficient energy transfer even at greater depths where direct microwave penetration would be insufficient.
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 method allows precise, selective, and safe ablation of tumors with minimal damage to surrounding tissue, preserving body shape and reducing treatment duration and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The combination of microwave and radio frequency radiation focused on the nanoparticles allow for a synergetic heating effect whereby the tumor is heated to ablative temperatures due to the strong absorption of the nanoparticles
Implementation Method 2
microwave based ablation devices are becoming more popular due to their energy efficiency
Implementation Method 3
the applicators in a conventional ablation system are invasive, heat from the inside (center of the tumor) out
Implementation Method 4
at least one Radio Frequency (RF) coil configured to generate alternating magnetic fields at RF frequencies
Implementation Method 5
magnetic nanoparticles configured to selectively accumulate in the tumor region
Implementation Method 6
The combination of microwave and radio frequency radiation focused on the nanoparticles allow for a synergetic heating effect whereby the tumor is heated to ablative temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems, device and methods for cancer ablation treatment of human and animal subjects through the application of a combination of electromagnetic sources, in particular, microwave and radio frequency radiation that are focused on a tumor harboring magnetic or other metallic nanoparticles to result in synergetic heating effect whereby the tumor is heated to ablative temperature due to the strong absorption of the nanoparticles while the surrounding healthy tissue is hardly affected.