Nanocarbon-Iodine Alginate Microspheres for X-Ray Visible Embolization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embolic microspheres used in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization lack X-ray imaging capability, leading to a disconnection between intraoperative contrast agents and therapeutic embolic materials, and existing solutions face issues such as toxicity, high cost, or unsuitable degradation properties.
Innovation Solution
Development of nanocarbon-iodine calcium alginate microspheres, where nano carbon powder is encapsulated within calcium alginate microspheres, enhancing X-ray imaging through iodine loading and providing a simple, stable preparation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional embolic microspheres are used, then the embolization therapy can be performed, but the microspheres cannot be imaged under X-ray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining calcium alginate microspheres with iodine-containing contrast agents and nanocarbon powder. This composite structure enables the microspheres to be visible under X-ray imaging while maintaining their embolization function. The iodine provides radiopacity for imaging, while the nanocarbon powder enhances the imaging effect and provides additional functional properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where nanocarbon powder is encapsulated within the calcium alginate microsphere matrix, and iodine is loaded into the microsphere. This nested arrangement allows multiple functions (embolization, imaging, contrast enhancement) to be integrated within a single microsphere structure without increasing overall complexity.
2Reliability
If barium sulfate is used for imaging, then X-ray visibility is improved, but toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by replacing barium sulfate with iodine-containing contrast agents and nanocarbon powder. This parameter change maintains the radiopacity needed for X-ray visibility while significantly reducing toxicity. The iodine is loaded in controlled amounts (35-50% loading efficiency) to ensure imaging capability without excessive toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses iodine-based contrast agents that can be safely degraded and excreted, replacing permanent barium sulfate. The nanocarbon powder also serves as a temporary imaging agent that degrades over time, eliminating the need for long-term retention of toxic materials in the body.
3Reliability
If tantalum nanoparticles are used, then imaging performance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive tantalum nanoparticles with more cost-effective iodine-containing contrast agents and nanocarbon powder. The iodine can be loaded into the microsphere at reasonable costs, and the nanocarbon powder is also a relatively inexpensive material that provides good imaging performance. This substitution significantly reduces the manufacturing cost while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material selection parameters by choosing iodine-based contrast agents and nanocarbon powder instead of tantalum nanoparticles. This parameter change in material selection maintains the required imaging performance (radiopacity and contrast enhancement) while dramatically reducing material cost.
4Reliability
If lipiodol is used in calcium alginate microspheres, then imaging performance is improved, but storage time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contrast agent formulation by using iodine-loaded calcium alginate microspheres with nanocarbon powder instead of lipiodol. This parameter change in the contrast agent composition extends storage time while maintaining imaging performance. The iodine and nanocarbon powder remain stable within the microsphere matrix over extended periods, unlike lipiodol which degrades and becomes liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces lipiodol with a more stable iodine-based contrast agent system that can be stored for longer periods. The nanocarbon powder provides additional stability and can serve as a long-term imaging agent, eliminating the need for rapid use after preparation.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If nano carbon powder is used, then biocompatibility and drug loading capacity are improved, but imaging visibility under X-ray is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges nanocarbon powder with iodine-containing contrast agents within the same microsphere structure. This combination allows the nanocarbon powder to provide biocompatibility and drug loading capacity, while the iodine provides X-ray visibility. The synergistic effect of both materials within the microsphere achieves both biocompatibility and imaging capability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining nanocarbon powder, iodine, and calcium alginate. This composite structure leverages the biocompatibility and drug loading properties of nanocarbon powder while the iodine component provides the necessary X-ray visibility. The composite approach allows both functions to coexist and work together.
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 microspheres enable real-time, precise clinical operations with improved X-ray imaging, facilitating diagnostic confirmation and embolization efficacy, while offering potential dual functionality for drug loading and delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the microspheres cannot be imaged under X-ray. During an operation, an iodine-containing contrast agent is required to assist in imaging
Implementation Method 2
The nano carbon powder can be used as a raw material for an MRI contrast agent, where a high absorption efficiency and a high scattering efficiency of the nano carbon powder may enhance an imaging effect
Implementation Method 3
calcium alginate microspheres, wherein the microsphere contains nano carbon powder, iodine, and calcium alginate
Data Source
AI summary
A nanocarbon-iodine calcium alginate microspheres and a preparation method thereof are provided, the nanocarbon is added to the microspheres to enhance an imaging capability of iodine under X-ray, which is a good way to solve a problem that an embolic agent in clinical application cannot be imaged under X-ray. In addition, the preparation method is simple with good stability and safety. It is proved through experiments that the microspheres can be imaged under conventional interventional X-ray examination devices in CT and DSA, it is proved through animal experiments that the microspheres have good X-ray imaging performance and embolization effect.