Pedicle Screw Electrodes for Bidirectional Tumor Treating Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for spinal cancers and tumors, such as radiotherapy, surgical removal, and chemotherapy, are costly and have potential side effects, necessitating improved methods for treating spinal and perispinal regions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising pedicle screws with electrodes and a power source, controlled by a controller, to provide multidirectional electrical stimulation to spinal and perispinal regions, utilizing tumor treating fields (low-intensity, intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields) to disrupt cell division and treat tumors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional treatments (radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy) are used for spinal cancers and tumors, then treatment effectiveness is achieved, but cost and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of electric field delivery by using bidirectional alternating current stimulation through pedicle screws, transforming the treatment from unidirectional to multidirectional field application. This parameter change enables effective tumor treatment while reducing the harmful effects associated with traditional modalities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical removal with electrical field-based tumor treatment. Instead of physically removing tumors through surgery, the system uses bidirectional electrical stimulation to disrupt cell division and treat tumors, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness and associated side effects
2Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional electrical stimulation is implemented using multiple pedicle screws, then treatment versatility and effectiveness improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pedicle screw system multi-functional by enabling each screw to serve both as a structural support element and as an electrical stimulus electrode. The bidirectional stimulation capability allows the same hardware configuration to deliver electrical fields in multiple directions, reducing the need for additional specialized devices while maintaining treatment versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural fixation function of pedicle screws with the electrical stimulation function of electrodes. By combining these functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving multidirectional stimulation capabilities that would otherwise require separate implant devices
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a system including a plurality of pedicle screws configured to engage a spine of a patient and each including an electrode, a power source coupled to the pedicle screws and configured to provide an electrical current to each electrode, and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to selectively supply power to the pedicle screws to cause a first electrical stimulation to be output in a first direction from a first pedicle screw to a second pedicle screw, and cause a second, electrical stimulation to be output in a second direction from the second pedicle screw to the first pedicle screw.