Triple Endorectal Ballooning System for Prostate Radiotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endorectal ballooning systems for prostate cancer radiotherapy face challenges in stable balloon localization due to varying rectal anatomies and functions, leading to increased radiation toxicity and inefficiencies in bowel gas excretion, which affects treatment accuracy and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
The triple endorectal ballooning system employs three balloon units with a central passageway and a cover, allowing for effective bowel gas excretion and stable balloon localization through the use of multiple passageways and flexible materials, enabling the injection of water or air to optimize radiation distribution and reduce rectal toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single endorectal balloon is used, then the device structure is simple, but bowel gas excretion is ineffective and balloon localization is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The single balloon is divided into three separate balloon units (first, second, and third balloons) that can be independently inflated and positioned. Each balloon has its own passageway connected to a common central passageway, allowing independent control while maintaining overall system functionality. This segmentation enables stable localization by distributing the support function across multiple balloons rather than relying on a single balloon.
Solution Approach 2:
The three balloons are arranged in a triangular configuration within the rectum, transitioning from a single-point support system to a multi-point distributed support system. This spatial arrangement creates a stable triangular base that prevents balloon displacement and improves localization stability, effectively adding dimensional distribution to the support mechanism.
2Device complexity
If a single central passageway is used, then the device structure is simple, but bowel gas excretion is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gas excretion system is segmented into three separate passageways (first, second, and third passageways), each connected to a specific balloon unit, which converge into a common central passageway. This segmented structure allows gas to be evacuated from multiple locations simultaneously, significantly improving excretion efficiency compared to a single passageway system.
Solution Approach 2:
The central passageway serves multiple functions: it acts as a common channel for all three balloon passageways, provides structural support for the balloon assembly, and facilitates the injection of contrast media or irrigation solutions. This multi-functionality maintains structural simplicity while enhancing gas excretion capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air is injected into the balloon, then rectal wall protection is improved, but prostate dose delivery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different balloon units can be filled with different media (air or water) depending on the specific treatment requirements. The first balloon may be filled with air for rectal wall protection, while the second and third balloons can be filled with water to maintain prostate dose delivery. This local quality differentiation allows optimization of both protection and treatment efficacy in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state parameter of the balloon filling medium can be changed between air (gas phase) and water (liquid phase) to achieve different radiation attenuation effects. Air provides better rectal wall protection but reduces prostate dose, while water maintains prostate dose but increases rectal toxicity. The system allows dynamic parameter changes by switching between different filling media based on treatment priorities.
4Reliability
If the balloon is not disposable due to cost constraints, then gas excretion is more difficult due to condom obstruction, but reusability reduces cost
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon system is designed as a disposable single-use unit with integrated condom protection, eliminating the need for repeated sterilization and condom installation. The segmented three-balloon structure with central passageway is pre-configured for optimal gas excretion, and the entire assembly is discarded after one use, ensuring hygiene without compromising gas excretion functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The entire balloon assembly including the condom is designed as a disposable low-cost device that is used once and then discarded. This eliminates the complexity of sterilization procedures and condom reinstallation, ensures optimal gas excretion performance without hygiene-related obstructions, and reduces the risk of cross-contamination. The low cost of the disposable unit makes this economically viable.
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 system ensures stable balloon positioning, reduces radiation toxicity to the rectal wall, maintains effective prostate dose delivery, and enhances patient comfort by effectively managing bowel gas and allowing for disposable use, thereby improving treatment efficacy and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The three balloons may be expanded by injecting agents to form two types of spaces
Implementation Method 2
When the endorectal balloon is inflated with air, the actual rectal wall dose may be decreased compared with planned dose due to the specific gravity difference between the air and the rectal wall
Data Source
AI summary
A triple endorectal ballooning (TERB) system for prostate cancer radiotherapy may include a first balloon unit, a second balloon unit, a third balloon unit, a central passageway and a cover. The first balloon unit may include a first balloon and a first passageway connected to the first balloon. The second balloon unit may include a second balloon and a second passageway connected to the second balloon. The third balloon unit may include a third balloon and a third passageway connected to the third balloon. The central passageway may be arranged between the first to third balloon units to excrete a bowel gas. The cover may be configured to cover the first to third passageways and the central passageway and to support the first to third balloon units.