Radioactive Hydrogel Microparticles for Localized Radiotherapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current brachytherapy methods for cancer treatment, such as interstitial radiotherapy and the use of solid hydrogel implants, face challenges including complex implantation procedures, high toxicity, leakage of radioactivity to adjacent tissues, and invasiveness, particularly in treating breast cancer and gliomas, which require more effective and less invasive localized radiotherapy solutions.

Innovation Solution

Development of a radioactive hydrogel comprising a radioisotope, high molecular weight molecules, and microparticles encapsulating the radioisotope within an injectable hydrogel, which is designed to prevent leakage and provide localized radiotherapy directly to the surgical cavity, allowing for biodegradation after treatment and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional brachytherapy with catheters or solid hydrogel implants is used, then localized radiotherapy can be delivered, but complex implantation procedures and high toxicity are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalized radiotherapy deliveryVSAvoidimplantation procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radioactive material is segmented into microparticles dispersed within the hydrogel, allowing the radioactivity to be distributed throughout the surgical cavity rather than requiring complex catheter or implant structures. This segmentation enables simpler implantation while maintaining localized delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel acts as a temporary, biodegradable carrier that degrades after delivering the radiation dose. This eliminates the need for complex removable devices or catheters, simplifying the overall procedure and reducing the need for follow-up surgeries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If solid hydrogel implants are used for brachytherapy, then radioactivity can be localized, but leakage of radioactivity to adjacent normal tissues occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradioactivity localizationVSAvoidradioactivity leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The microparticles are dispersed throughout the hydrogel matrix, creating a uniform distribution of radioactivity. This local quality ensures that radioactivity is released homogeneously at the surgical site without concentrating in specific areas that could leak to adjacent tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel combines multiple components: the hydrogel matrix itself, dispersed microparticles, and radioisotopes. This composite structure provides both the mechanical integrity to contain the material and the controlled release properties to prevent radioactivity leakage while maintaining localization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If interstitial high-dose-rate therapy with temporary implants is used, then tumor treatment effectiveness is improved, but morbidity and high costs are associated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetumor treatment effectivenessVSAvoidmorbidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogel system is self-contained, delivering the radiation dose through the biodegradation of the hydrogel matrix itself. This eliminates the need for complex external monitoring and adjustment systems, reducing morbidity while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from high-dose-rate external sources to low-dose-rate internal sources through the biodegradation process. The radiation dose is delivered over an extended period as the hydrogel degrades, changing the temporal parameter of radiation delivery to reduce acute toxicity and morbidity while maintaining overall treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 radioactive hydrogel offers a more efficient and less invasive method for delivering radiotherapy, reducing side effects and the need for repeated treatments, while ensuring homogeneous radiation distribution and preventing radioactivity leakage, thereby improving treatment outcomes for breast cancer and gliomas.

Implementation Method 1

at least one microparticle encapsulating the radioisotope conjugated to the at least one high molecular weight molecule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

The at least one radioisotope is retained within the injectable hydrogel to deliver localized radiotherapy within a surgical cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadioactive decay: Radioactive Decay

Data Source

PatentUS10548996B2Hydrogels for localized radiotherapy

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 WASHINGTON UNIV IN SAINT LOUIS

AI summary

Radioactive hydrogels for the delivery of localized radiotherapy, methods of making the radioactive hydrogels, and methods of using the radioactive hydrogels are disclosed. A radioisotope may be conjugated to a high molecular weight molecule, which may be encapsulated in a microparticle, where the microparticle is then dispersed within a hydrogel. The radioactive hydrogel may prevent leakage of the radioisotope to provide radiotherapy to a surgical margin while minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissue.