Wearable Focused Phased Array Ultrasound for Cytokine Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective treatments for inflammatory conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by cytokine storms in COVID-19 patients, as existing therapies are expensive and have significant side effects.
Innovation Solution
A phased array ultrasound device using transducers made of materials like PZT, PVDF, or AlN, with beam-forming processors to produce and adjust acoustic waves for targeted delivery, modulating cytokine levels by delivering acoustic waves to target sites within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing anti-inflammatory treatments (drugs and biologics) are used, then cytokine storm can be suppressed, but significant side effects and high cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical/pharmacological treatments with a physical treatment modality (ultrasound therapy). The ultrasound device uses acoustic energy to modulate cytokine production mechanically, substituting drug-based chemical interventions with a non-chemical physical field approach, thereby avoiding pharmacological side effects and high drug costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of ultrasound delivery (frequency, intensity, pulse duration, duty cycle) to achieve therapeutic effects. By optimizing these parameters (e.g., 40-1000 kHz frequency range, specific intensity levels), the device can modulate cytokine storm effectiveness while minimizing harmful effects, providing a controllable alternative to fixed-dose pharmaceuticals
2Reliability
If phased array ultrasound device delivers acoustic waves to target site, then cytokine levels can be modulated, but precise beam control and real-time adjustment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ultrasound delivery system into multiple independent transducer elements arranged in a phased array. Each element can be controlled independently with specific time delays and amplitude adjustments, allowing precise beam steering and focusing to the target site while enabling real-time adaptation to anatomical variations and movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms where the beam-forming processor continuously monitors treatment response and adjusts acoustic wave parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures accurate cytokine modulation by adapting the ultrasound delivery based on actual tissue response, maintaining therapeutic precision despite the increased system complexity
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 device effectively modulates cytokine levels, reducing inflammation and potentially preventing ARDS by delivering acoustic waves that adjust based on feedback, providing a safer and more cost-effective treatment option.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one transducer device comprises: a gas matrix piezoelectric (GMP) array; a capacitive micro-machined acoustic transducer (cMUT) array; or a piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasound transducer (pMUT) array
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for providing an acoustic wave to a target location include at least one transducer device and at least one beam-forming processor to cause the at least one transducer device to produce a first acoustic wave, the first acoustic wave includes a plurality of pulses having a pulse repetition frequency, where a pulse width of each pulse is in a range of 10 ns to 10 μs and the pulse repetition frequency is in a range of 1 Hz to 50 Hz, receive data associated with a second acoustic wave, wherein the second acoustic wave is a reflection of the first acoustic wave, determine a characteristic of the second acoustic wave, and determine whether to change a beam path of an acoustic wave produced by the at least one transducer device based on the characteristic of the second acoustic wave. Methods and computer program products are also disclosed.