Phased Array Shear Wave Apparatus for Tumor Depth Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating tumors are limited in their ability to non-invasively control cell proliferation and migration at specific depths within tissues, particularly in addressing the mechanical properties of tumors that influence cancer cell behavior and metastasis.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus that generates controlled shear or compressional waves using piezoelectric transducers, capable of producing axisymmetric shear waves or compressional waves, which are transmitted to target cancer cells at specific depths, utilizing Duty Cycle Modulation to modulate the wave transmission and an acoustic radiation force to induce mechanotransduction effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical waves are applied to treat tumors, then cell proliferation and migration are reduced, but the ability to non-invasively control wave transmission at specific depths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using phased array transducers that can independently control the phase and amplitude of individual elements. This enables focal delivery of mechanical waves to specific depths and locations within tissue, creating localized high-intensity regions that precisely target tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The ability to focus energy at different depths corresponds to making different spatial locations have different wave transmission properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through real-time electronic control of phased array elements, allowing dynamic adjustment of focal depth, focal position, and wave parameters. The system can dynamically steer and refocus mechanical waves without physical movement of the transducer array, enabling adaptive treatment of tumors at varying depths and positions during the procedure.
2Productivity
If high intensity waves are used to impact cancer cells, then cell death and proliferation reduction are achieved, but effects on healthy cells may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phased array system creates highly localized focal regions where high-intensity mechanical waves are concentrated precisely at the tumor location. By controlling the phase and amplitude of individual array elements, the system delivers therapeutic doses only to the target area while maintaining low intensity in surrounding healthy tissue, thus achieving high productivity without increasing harm to non-target cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed wave delivery with specific duty cycles, applying high-intensity waves intermittently rather than continuously. This periodic action allows thermal and mechanical effects to be confined to treatment periods while providing recovery intervals for surrounding tissue, enhancing the therapeutic ratio by separating peak intensity exposure from continuous exposure.
3Reliability
If mechanical wave therapy is applied, then tumor growth is slowed and metastasis is reduced, but the complexity of controlling wave parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phased array transducer system serves multiple functions: it can focus waves at different depths, steer beams to different positions, adjust intensity levels, and deliver different waveforms all through a single device platform. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate systems while achieving complex therapeutic goals, managing device complexity through integrated control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where treatment parameters are adjusted based on real-time monitoring of tissue response and treatment outcomes. This feedback control enables automatic optimization of wave parameters, reducing the burden on operators to manually manage complex parameters while ensuring reliable therapeutic outcomes through adaptive parameter adjustment.
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 apparatus effectively reduces cancer cell proliferation and migration by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, with specific frequencies and amplitudes of waves showing therapeutic effects on various cancer types, including slowing down growth rates and inducing cell death, while minimizing effects on healthy cells.
Implementation Method 1
A medical apparatus that generates controlled shear or compressional waves using piezoelectric transducers
Implementation Method 2
utilizing Duty Cycle Modulation to modulate the wave transmission and an acoustic radiation force to induce mechanotransduction effects
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a medical apparatus that allows to generate, non-invasively and at a requested depth shear waves of controlled frequency and amplitude. The purpose is to impact via mechanotransduction on cellular behavior, i.e. cell proliferation and cell migration. The aim is to aide classical tumor therapy for instance by rendering cells more receptive to drugs, or by gaining time during chemotherapy by reducing cell migration and hence slowing down the metastatic process.