Silicone Enteric CT Contrast for Dual-Energy Signal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT contrast materials, particularly iodine and barium-based, cannot be differentiated from each other or from other radiodense structures, leading to clinical confusion, delays, and increased radiation dose due to repeat scans, and they obscure critical findings in CT imaging of the bowel.
Innovation Solution
Development of a silicone-polymer based enteric CT contrast material that can be digitally manipulated to appear as 'positive', 'neutral', or 'negative' contrast, allowing simultaneous imaging and differentiation from iodinated and barium agents using dual energy CT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If iodine or barium-based contrast materials are used for CT imaging, then bowel lumen can be marked with bright signal for detection of extra-enteric fluid collections and bowel perforations, but the contrast materials cannot be differentiated from each other or from other radiodense structures such as shrapnel, calcifications, surgical staple lines or implants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the contrast material by using silicone-based compounds with specific atomic numbers and molecular weights that produce distinct X-ray attenuation characteristics. This allows the enteric contrast to have different radiodensity properties compared to iodine and barium, enabling differentiation on CT images while maintaining bowel lumen marking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite silicone-based materials that combine organic silicon compounds with specific functional groups to create contrast agents with unique radiographic properties. These composite materials provide both the necessary enteric contrast function and distinguishable imaging characteristics that separate them from traditional iodine and barium agents
2Measurement precision
If bright enteric contrast material is used, then extra-enteric fluid collections and bowel perforations can be detected, but intravenous contrast CT findings are obscured including bowel wall enhancement, vascular structures, and active bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating contrast materials with spatially differentiated imaging characteristics. The silicone-based enteric contrast provides localized bowel lumen opacification with radiodensity that is intermediate between water and traditional positive contrast agents, allowing bowel leak detection while preserving the ability to visualize vascular enhancement and bowel wall findings that would be obscured by brighter contrast materials
3Measurement precision
If iodinated or barium-based contrast materials are used, then bowel lumen can be visualized, but severe complications may occur including peritonitis, pneumonitis, allergic reactions, and bowel obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts the principle of using biocompatible, non-toxic silicone-based materials that are safe for gastrointestinal contact and can be safely excreted. Silicone compounds are inert, non-allergenic, and do not cause the severe complications associated with iodinated or barium-based agents, effectively replacing harmful contrast materials with safe alternatives that still provide necessary imaging functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the inert chemical properties of silicone-based compounds to create contrast agents that do not react with gastrointestinal contents or tissues. The silicone materials provide a chemically inert environment in the bowel lumen, eliminating the risk of peritonitis, allergic reactions, and other complications while maintaining effective bowel visualization
4Measurement precision
If conventional CT scanners are used with iodine or barium contrast, then imaging can be performed, but repeat scans are required to resolve ambiguity about contrast leakage origin, resulting in increased radiation dose and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the radiographic parameters of enteric contrast materials to have distinct X-ray attenuation coefficients that differ from both iodine and barium. This parameter change enables single-pass differentiation of contrast leakage origin (enteric vs. vascular) on CT images, eliminating the need for repeat scans and reducing both diagnostic delay and radiation exposure
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
Enables accurate and timely diagnosis by providing clear imaging of bowel leaks, abscesses, and vascular enhancement without obscuration, reducing radiation dose and eliminating the need for repeat scans.
Implementation Method 1
dual energy CT, now an increasingly widespread clinical technology that allows material decomposition of imaged voxels based on known 80:140 kVp CT number ratios of individual substances
Implementation Method 2
CT scanners capable of multi-energy or spectral imaging are under development, but even with improved capability, these new CT technologies are unlikely to be able to readily differentiate iodinated from barium-based conventional contrast material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a silicon-based polymer contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising silicon-based polymer oil emulsified in water. Exemplary silicon-based polymer oil has a viscosity between about 50 cSt and 100,000 cSt. In various embodiments, the silicon-based polymer oil is emulsified with a vehicle or dispersing medium compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle in which the material is emulsified in the presence of a surfactant. In an exemplary embodiment, the silicon-based polymer comprises 30% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation. The invention also provides methods for imaging of the abdomen by dual energy CT or spectral CT contemporaneously with the delivery of the silicon-based polymer contrast material into the bowel lumen and the delivery of a second complementary contrast material into the blood vessels or other body compartments. The invention also provides methods for the digital separation of CT signal produced by the contrast media of the invention from the CT signal produced by other contrast media or bodily tissues to generate multiple resultant CT images with the contrast medium of the invention subtracted or highlighted.