Expandable Stent Brachytherapy Device with Removable Radiation Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brachytherapy devices lack the ability to remove or replace radiation sources in situ, leading to exposure of healthy tissue due to permanent placement, and fail to adjust to changes in tumor shape and size, resulting in inadequate treatment and potential toxicity.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring an expandable stent with removably attached tubular members that can receive and position radioactive sources on the periphery of the stent near the target tissue, allowing for non-invasive replacement and adjustment of the radiation source to maintain optimal treatment delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If radiation sources are permanently implanted in brachytherapy, then continuous radiation delivery is achieved, but healthy tissue exposure increases due to inability to adjust to tumor changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the radiation source removable and replaceable while maintaining the implantable carrier in situ. This dynamic approach allows the radiation source to be adjusted or removed based on treatment progress and tumor response, eliminating the need for permanent implantation while maintaining continuous treatment capability through multiple implantation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the brachytherapy system into two separable components: a permanent implantable carrier and a removable radiation source. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the carrier provides stable positioning while the source can be exchanged to adapt to changing treatment requirements, reducing healthy tissue exposure from inadequate positioning.
2Device complexity
If radiation sources are permanently placed, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to tumor shape and size changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the implantable carrier from the radiation source, the patent enables treatment adaptation without requiring a completely new device design. The simple permanent carrier combines with exchangeable sources to provide adaptability to tumor changes, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and treatment versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where radiation sources can be removed (discarded after use) and replaced with new sources as treatment progresses. This allows the treatment to adapt to tumor shape and size changes through multiple implantation cycles while maintaining a simple permanent carrier structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple HDR sessions are administered, then patient tolerance improves, but procedure risk increases due to repeated anesthesia and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The removable source design enables flexible treatment scheduling where the radiation source can be implanted once and kept in place for multiple treatment sessions. This reduces the number of repeated implantation procedures and anesthesia events while maintaining the ability to deliver radiation in multiple sessions, thereby improving both patient tolerance and procedure safety.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If LDR brachytherapy is used, then continuous radiation delivery is achieved, but treatment duration extends over multiple days requiring external connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables LDR-style continuous treatment through a permanent implantable carrier with removable sources that can be exchanged rather than requiring external connections. This dynamic internal replacement system maintains treatment continuity while eliminating the discomfort and infection risks associated with external catheter connections.
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
This solution enables safer, more efficient radiation delivery with reduced toxicity and the ability to adapt to changes in tumor size and shape, improving treatment efficacy and patient safety by maintaining consistent distance between the radiation source and target tissue.
Implementation Method 1
radiation sources, such as small radioactive particles or needles, near or within the target tissue
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a medicament delivery vehicle, the vehicle comprising tubular members adapted to removably receive the medicament and an expandable stent adapted to receive the tubular members. Also provided is a medicament delivery vehicle, the vehicle comprised of tubular members which receive the medicament wherein the medicament comprises discrete entities and each of said entities are removably positioned at predetermined regions within the members.