Targeted Microbubble Cavitation for Non-Invasive Tissue Fragmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical treatments for abnormal masses such as kidney stones, biliary stones, blood clots, fibroids, and cancerous tumors often cause significant pain and damage to healthy tissue due to their invasive nature.
Innovation Solution
Development of microbubbles with anchoring and targeting moieties that selectively bind to specific tissues or masses, followed by application of energy to induce cavitation, allowing targeted destruction or fragmentation of these masses with minimal tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive procedures are used to treat abnormal masses, then therapeutic outcomes are achieved, but pain and damage to healthy tissue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces microbubbles as an intermediary carrier that transports cavitation-nucleating agents to the target site. These microbubbles serve as a mediator between the external energy source and the abnormal mass, enabling localized energy deposition while protecting healthy surrounding tissues from direct exposure to harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements local quality by functionalizing microbubbles with targeting moieties that specifically recognize and bind to abnormal masses. This ensures that the cavitation effect is localized precisely at the target site, creating different properties at the target location versus healthy tissue - high energy deposition at the target while maintaining normal conditions in surrounding healthy tissues.
2Reliability
If invasive procedures are used to treat abnormal masses, then therapeutic outcomes are achieved, but pain and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical invasive procedures with a non-invasive energy-based approach. Instead of physically cutting or removing tissues through surgical instruments, the invention uses externally applied energy to induce cavitation in microbubbles at the target site, achieving therapeutic effects without mechanical intrusion into the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The microbubbles act as an intermediary that converts external non-invasive energy into localized mechanical cavitation effects at the target site. This intermediary mechanism allows therapeutic action to be achieved without direct mechanical contact or invasion, thereby eliminating procedure-related pain and discomfort.
3Measurement precision
If microbubbles with targeting moieties are used, then targeted placement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the microbubble structure into distinct functional modules: a core component, an anchoring moiety for stability, and a targeting moiety for specific recognition. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality, making the complex structure more manageable and designable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves universality by designing microbubbles with multi-functional components that can be adapted for different therapeutic applications. The targeting moiety can be exchanged or modified to target different types of abnormal masses, while the core and anchoring structures remain consistent, reducing the need to design entirely new systems for each application.
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 microbubbles effectively fragment or lyse targeted tissues or masses, reducing the need for invasive procedures and minimizing pain and discomfort, while achieving therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
application of energy to induce cavitation, allowing targeted destruction or fragmentation of these masses
Implementation Method 2
a core containing a fluid having a normal boiling point less than about 30° C.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention related to manufactured microbubbles, as well as methods of using manufactured microbubbles, for example, in medicinal applications. The invention pertains to the physical structure and materials of the microbubbles, as well as to methods for manufacturing microbubbles, methods for targeting microbubbles for specific medicinal applications, and methods for delivering microbubbles in medical treatment.