Intraoperative Vertebral Applicator for Precise Radiation Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy methods for treating vertebral tumors face challenges such as tissue damage to healthy areas and the need for prolonged treatment sessions, which restrict patient mobility and quality of life, and are unable to effectively irradiate constricted body regions like the vertebral column.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a canal to the treatment site followed by the introduction of an applicator with a probe tip or radiation source unit, allowing for precise and localized radiation delivery within the vertebral body, with an applicator design featuring a cylindrical guide region and a transition region to facilitate insertion into narrow spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If postoperative percutaneous irradiation is used to treat vertebral tumors, then the tumor can be treated, but healthy tissue is irradiated causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation delivery system is segmented into multiple components: a drill bit for creating access, an applicator with guide region for precise positioning, and a radiation source. This segmentation allows the radiation to be delivered through a narrow canal with minimal healthy tissue exposure while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A steel canal or guide tube is introduced as an intermediary structure to transport the radiation source to the tumor site. This intermediary protects surrounding healthy tissue from direct radiation exposure while allowing precise delivery of the radiation dose to the target area through the narrow canal.
2Reliability
If the irradiation dose is divided into several treatments over several weeks, then the treatment can be completed, but the patient's freedom of movement is greatly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The canal is drilled and the applicator is positioned during the initial surgical procedure, preparing the delivery system in advance. This preliminary action enables the radiation source to be delivered immediately during the same operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment sessions and allowing the patient to resume normal activities sooner.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical procedure and radiation therapy are merged into a single intraoperative event. The radiation source is delivered and administered during the same operation in which the canal is created and the applicator is positioned, combining two previously separate processes into one unified treatment that reduces overall treatment time and patient burden.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional applicator with a long conical transition region is used, then the probe is shielded, but the applicator cannot be introduced into constricted regions like the vertebral column
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is designed with locally optimized properties: a short conical transition region at the insertion end for easy introduction into narrow canals, and a cylindrical guide region with appropriate length and diameter for proper radiation source positioning and shielding. This local differentiation allows the applicator to both insert easily into constricted regions and provide adequate shielding when positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator is segmented into distinct functional regions: a short transition region for insertion, a cylindrical guide region for radiation source containment and shielding, and a head region for radiation delivery. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall applicator compact enough for vertebral column insertion.
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 intraoperative radiation therapy, reducing the need for prolonged treatment sessions, minimizing tissue damage, and allowing for effective irradiation of constricted regions like the vertebral column, thereby improving patient quality of life and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
radiation is produced by the radiation source unit and is transported to the region to be treated by means of the applicator
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, a method for transporting radiation to a body region is described, wherein, in a first step, a canal is formed up to the body region to be irradiated and wherein, in a second step, an applicator (10) which is fitted to the diameter of the canal is introduced into the canal in order to guide a probe tip. Advantageously, applicator (10) is formed for use with a radiation therapy device for producing a defined radiation dose for irradiating a body region, whereby applicator (10) has a base body (11) with a foot region (12) for the uptake of at least one component of a radiation therapy device (30), a cylindrical guide region (13) connecting thereto for the uptake of a probe tip of a radiation therapy device, whereby a transition region (14) is formed between the foot region (12) and the guide region (13), as well as a head region (15), which is formed at the distal end (21) of base body (11). The method can be utilized especially for the treatment of tumors in the vertebral column.