Miniature X-Ray Balloon Catheter for Irregular Cavity Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapeutic radiation treatment methods using balloon catheters are limited by their rigid geometry, which cannot effectively treat irregularly shaped surgical cavities, and the use of radioactive isotopes that are always 'on' and lack modulation capabilities, leading to inaccurate dose delivery and radiation attenuation due to high contrast medium concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A miniature, switchable electronic x-ray source that can be modulated in depth and intensity, integrated into a balloon catheter with a contrast medium on the balloon wall, allowing for precise dose delivery and accurate positioning without attenuating the radiation, enabling treatment of irregular cavities and reducing the need for excessive contrast medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If high concentration contrast material is added to the balloon to improve visibility in x-ray imaging, then the balloon can be detected more easily, but the therapeutic radiation from the x-ray source is significantly attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contrast material from the balloon interior and relocates it to the balloon wall structure itself. This allows the contrast material to provide imaging visibility without being present in the path of therapeutic radiation beams, thereby eliminating the trade-off between visibility and radiation attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon wall acts as an intermediary carrier for the contrast material, separating the imaging function from the radiation treatment function. The contrast material in the wall provides x-ray visibility while the radiation source in the balloon center remains unattenuated.
2Ease of operation
If known-geometry balloons are used to simplify the treatment procedure, then the treatment process is easier to manage, but the ability to treat irregularly shaped cavities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the balloon from a rigid known geometry structure to a dynamic, adjustable system. The balloon can be inflated to various shapes and sizes to match irregular cavities, while the electronic x-ray source can be positioned at multiple locations within the balloon to adapt to different treatment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the balloon system by using adjustable inflation volume and electronic control of the x-ray source position and intensity. This allows the same balloon structure to adapt to different cavity geometries and treatment protocols, maintaining ease of operation while improving versatility.
3Reliability
If radioactive isotopes are used to provide continuous radiation, then the radiation source is always available, but modulation and accurate dose delivery are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous isotope radiation with periodic, pulsed electronic x-ray emission. The x-ray source can be switched on and off, and the intensity can be modulated, allowing for precise control of radiation delivery timing and dosage while maintaining source availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the passive radioactive isotope system with an active electronic x-ray tube system. This replacement enables electronic control of radiation emission, allowing for modulation of intensity and timing, thereby achieving accurate dose delivery while maintaining reliable source availability through electrical activation.
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 high-dose radiation delivery with improved accuracy and reduced radiation attenuation, allowing for effective treatment of irregularly shaped surgical cavities while maintaining clear balloon positioning and minimizing the impact on therapeutic radiation strength.
Implementation Method 1
use of a switchable, miniature electronic x-ray source, which may be controllable as to depth and intensity, for administering such therapeutic treatment
Implementation Method 2
The saline solution used to inflate the balloon contains contrast material which will be visible by taking an external x-ray
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for irradiating living tissue via a cavity or lumen, using an inflatable balloon applicator. In a preferred embodiment the applicator balloon has a balloon skin with x-ray contrast material in relatively low concentration, so that an outline of the balloon will appear sharply when imaged externally. In another preferred embodiment the balloon catheter has a drain for withdrawing liquids from the cavity, which may include channels or texture on the exterior of the balloon. Methods are described for using a switchable miniature x-ray tube, variable as to voltage and current, to achieve accuracy in an isodose profile.