Palpable Marker Composition for Non-Palpable Tumor Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical techniques face challenges in accurately locating and palpating small, non-palpable surgical targets, such as early-stage lung cancer tumors, due to their small size and non-palpable nature, especially in procedures like Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS), where traditional palpation methods are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A palpable marker composition comprising non-water soluble carbohydrates, primarily derivatives of saccharides like sucrose, lactose, and trehalose, which transforms from a liquid into a high-viscosity gel or solid upon administration, remaining detectable by palpation and various imaging modalities, facilitating precise localization of surgical targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional palpation methods are used for locating surgical targets, then the surgical procedure is simple and quick, but small non-palpable tumors cannot be accurately located
Solution Approach 1:
The marker composition is injected into or near the surgical target before the surgical procedure begins, allowing the target to become palpable in advance. This preliminary marking action enables accurate localization during surgery without complicating the actual surgical steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker composition acts as an intermediary substance that translates the non-palpable tumor into a palpable form. The marker physically bridges the gap between the invisible tumor and the surgeon's tactile detection, enabling accurate localization through palpation of the marker rather than the tumor itself.
2Measurement precision
If a marker composition is injected to make tumors palpable, then localization accuracy improves, but the surgical procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The marker composition undergoes parameter changes by transforming from a liquid state at injection to a gel or solid state in vivo. This phase transition simplifies the marker system by eliminating the need for complex delivery devices or active components, while still achieving accurate localization through the physical state change.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker composition is designed as a simple, disposable injectable formulation rather than a complex implantable device. The marker serves its purpose during the surgical procedure and can be left in place or allowed to degrade, eliminating the need for retrieval or complex long-term management systems.
3Strength
If the marker composition transforms from liquid to solid in the body, then palpability is achieved, but the injection process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The marker composition is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to be liquid during injection and transform to solid after injection. This temporal separation of properties enables easy injection when liquid, followed by solidification to provide palpability, resolving the contradiction between injectability and palpability.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker composition utilizes phase transition from liquid to gel/solid state after injection into the body. This phase change occurs in response to physiological conditions (temperature, pH, ionic strength), allowing the marker to be easily injected as a liquid while transforming to a palpable solid form at the target site.
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 marker composition effectively makes small, non-palpable tumors palpable and visible under imaging, enhancing surgical precision and accuracy by maintaining stability at the injection site for extended periods, allowing for precise tissue identification and marking during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
the composition is a liquid before administration into the human or animal body and increases in viscosity by more than 50,000 centipoise (cP) after administration, or becomes a semi-crystalline, crystalline or amorphous solid after administration
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a palpable marker composition comprising non-water soluble carbohydrates, wherein at least 50% of the non-water soluble carbohydrates are carbohydrates selected from derivatives of lactose, maltose, trehalose, raffinose, glucosamine, galactosamine, lactosamine, or derivatives of disaccharides with at least two pyranose saccharide units, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the composition is a liquid before administration into the human or animal body and increases in viscosity by more than 50,000 centipoise (cP) after administration, for use for identifying and/or locating a non palpable tumor. In one embodiment the composition the composition is a liquid before administration into the human or animal body that increases in viscosity by more than 500,000 centipoise (cP) after administration into the human or animal body. In another embodiment the composition is a liquid before administration and has the ability to transform into a crystalline or amorphous solid after administration.