Patient-Specific Brachytherapy Applicator via 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brachytherapy applicators are not customized to individual patient anatomy, leading to suboptimal radiation delivery and increased risk to normal tissues, as they are typically uniform and do not account for unique tumor shapes or surrounding organ distributions.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses 3D printing to manufacture patient-specific applicators by reconstructing anatomical structures from medical images, modeling applicator structures with customizable internal passages and materials to direct radiation precisely to tumors while shielding normal tissues, and integrating markers for insertion guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional uniform applicators are used for brachytherapy, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but radiation delivery is suboptimal and normal tissues are at increased risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing each applicator to match the specific anatomical structure of the patient's body cavity and tumor location. The applicator's shape, size, and internal passage configuration are locally adapted to the individual patient's anatomy rather than using a uniform design, enabling precise radiation delivery while accounting for variations in patient geometry and tumor position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing 3D image reconstruction, anatomical structure extraction, and applicator design before manufacturing. The system pre-processes medical images to create a digital model of the patient's anatomy and designs the custom applicator geometry in advance, allowing for precise fabrication based on pre-planned specifications
2Measurement precision
If patient-specific applicators are manufactured using 3D printing, then treatment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical manufacturing methods with 3D printing technology. Instead of using conventional machining or molding processes to create custom applicators, the system uses additive manufacturing to directly fabricate patient-specific applicators from digital models, enabling complex geometries to be produced efficiently with high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the flexibility of 3D printing to vary geometric parameters of the applicator based on patient anatomy. The system adjusts length, diameter, curvature, and internal passage dimensions according to the reconstructed anatomical measurements, optimizing radiation delivery parameters for each patient while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through automated parameter extraction
3Reliability
If custom applicator design is implemented for each patient, then radiation delivery to tumor is optimized, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the applicator design process to automatically extract anatomical features from medical images and generate optimization parameters without requiring manual measurement or design intervention. The system autonomously processes CT or MRI images to create the custom applicator geometry, reducing manual labor while maintaining treatment optimization
Data Source
AI summary
A system for manufacturing a patient-specific applicator reconstructs a three-dimensional (3D) image by using a medical image of a patient, models an applicator structure for irradiating radiation onto a tumor tissue, based on a 3D image, generates printing data for 3D printing for manufacturing the patient-specific applicator based on the modeled applicator structure, and manufactures the patient-specific applicator based on the generated printing data.