Radiopaque Surgical Margin Markers for CT Localization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying surgical margins post-tumor resection are unreliable due to tissue transfer and reconstruction during surgery, leading to inaccurate radiation treatment planning.

Innovation Solution

A marker system comprising a first element for attachment to the surgical margin and a second element with a unique indicator for radiological identification, allowing for precise localization and differentiation of surgical margin portions through CT scans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If tissue transfer and reconstruction are performed during surgery, then surgical margins can be re-approximated and cavity filled, but the original surgical margin borders become difficult to identify

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical reconstructionVSAvoidsurgical margin identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Surgical margin markers are placed on the surgical margin tissue before the tissue transfer and reconstruction procedures are performed. This preliminary placement ensures that the markers remain attached to the specific margin portions even when the tissue is moved and repositioned during reconstruction, allowing for accurate post-operative identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical margin markers serve as intermediary objects that bridge the gap between the surgical margin tissue and the radiological imaging system. These markers are specifically designed to be visible on CT scans and other radiological images, enabling the identification of surgical margins without directly interfering with the tissue reconstruction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If surgical clips are used for sealing blood vessels, then hemostasis is achieved, but the clips cannot individually mark surgical margin portions and may be mistaken for margins

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehemostasisVSAvoidsurgical margin identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical margin markers are designed with location-specific indicators that provide unique identification for each marker's position on the surgical margin. This local quality differentiation allows radiologists to distinguish between multiple markers and understand their specific locations, preventing confusion with surgical clips or other artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The markers incorporate visual indicators such as different colors, shapes, or radiological densities that distinguish them from surgical clips and other surgical artifacts. These visual differences enable clear differentiation between margin markers and hemostatic clips on radiological images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If CT simulation is used to identify surgical margins, then radiation treatment planning can be performed, but the identified margins may not accurately represent actual borders due to tissue transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation treatment planningVSAvoidsurgical margin accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical margin markers provide visual feedback on CT scans and other radiological images, allowing radiation oncologists to verify the actual location of surgical margins after tissue transfer and reconstruction. This feedback mechanism enables correction of any discrepancies between pre-operative planning and post-operative reality, ensuring accurate radiation target definition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 marker system enables accurate and reliable identification of surgical margins, improving radiation treatment planning and reducing the risk of harming surrounding tissues.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-Ray: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS20230270524A1Marker for identifying surgical cavity in targeted radiation

Publication Date: 2023.08.31 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A marker for identifying a portion of a surgical margin includes a first element to attach the marker to the surgical margin of a surgical cavity located in a body of a patient, and a second element attached to the first element. The second element includes an indicator to uniquely identify the portion of the surgical margin through a radiological scan.