Self-Expanding Tissue Marker Structure to Prevent Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marking bodies for implantation in tissue lack visibility across various imaging methods and are prone to migration, especially during and after implantation.
Innovation Solution
A marking body with an elastic, compressible, and self-expanding support structure formed by interconnected webs, designed to be approximately rotationally symmetric, providing good ultrasound visibility and counteracting migration through self-expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a marking body is made visible in imaging methods, then diagnostic visibility is improved, but the marking body structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies radiopaque materials (analogous to color changes in optical imaging) to make the marking body visible in X-ray and other imaging modalities. The support structure incorporates radiopaque substances that appear distinct in imaging, allowing clear visualization without complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking body uses composite materials combining biocompatible base materials with radiopaque materials. This allows the structure to maintain mechanical functionality while incorporating imaging visibility properties, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and detectability.
2Ease of operation
If the marking body is compressed for implantation, then ease of implantation is improved, but the marking body volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The marking body employs a dynamic structure that transitions from a compressed low-volume state during implantation to an expanded high-volume state after implantation. The elastomeric support structure is designed to be compressible for delivery through narrow catheters, then automatically expands to its functional volume upon deployment, facilitating easy implantation while maintaining adequate post-implantation size.
3Reliability
If the marking body expands after implantation, then migration resistance is improved, but the expansion force may cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the expansion parameters of the marking body, including expansion speed, final volume, and expansion force distribution. The elastomeric material properties are selected to provide gradual, controlled expansion that generates sufficient force to anchor the marking body and prevent migration, while remaining below thresholds that would cause tissue damage.
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
Ensures clear visibility in multiple imaging modalities and prevents migration by expanding post-implantation, maintaining position within tissue for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
The support structure is formed by elastic and preformed webs and is able to adopt a radially compressed and a radially expanded state
Implementation Method 2
The marking body is formed by elastic and preformed webs which yield an elastic, compressible and self-expandable support structure
Data Source
AI summary
Marking device (100) for implantation into a tissue (260), having a support structure (102) which is formed by at least one elastic metal wire, is compressible and is self-expanding and which, in an expanded state, encompasses an interior space (104), characterized in that the marking device (100) is designed to transform itself on its own from a compressed state into an expanded state, even against a tissue pressure prevailing at a tissue site to be marked, and the marking device (100) in the expanded state has a hollow, approximately spherical shape.